Guidelines for Dark Sky Compliant Lighting

A growing concern for the general public and builders that deal with either residential or commercial lighting projects is light pollution and Dark Sky compliant lighting standards in exterior applications.

Throughout the United States, light pollution has become a major problem in urban and suburban communities. To reduce the output of artificial light and to preserve natural lighting, several cities and states have implemented regulations known as "Dark Sky Compliance" laws.

Due to various residential grievances filed in the past over preserving natural light levels in many suburban areas, the issuing of these Dark Sky lighting codes hope to reduce the complaints that many homeowners may have.  To meet these requirements a light fixture must project light downward without releasing lighting upward into the atmosphere or outward past the intended projected path.

According to the International Dark Sky Lighting Association, all lighting installations shall be:

1. Designed and installed to be fully shielded (full cutoff)

2. Have a maximum lamp wattage of 250 watts HID (or lumen equivalent) for commercial lighting, 100 watts incandescent, and 26 watts compact fluorescent for residential lighting (or approximately 1,600 lumens).

3. In residential areas, light should be shielded such that the lamp itself or the lamp image is not directly visible outside the property perimeter.

Home owners and business owners in search of dark sky compliant lights can find a wide selection of warehouse shades, sconces, post mount lights and other barn lights that are considered Dark Sky Compliant, at barnlightelectric.com.

States that currently have Dark Sky compliant laws at the state, county or city level include: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. For more information, visit darksky.org.

Lighting fixtures exempt from Dark Sky Compliance include:

1. Swimming Pool Lighting
2. Exit Signs
3. Lighting for Stairs and Ramps
4. Sign Lighting (recommended to be fully shielded)
5. Holiday and Temporary Lighting
6. Football, Baseball, and Softball Field Lighting
7. Low Voltage Landscape Lighting