Updated 02/08
Light Nuisances - Ambient Light, Light Pollution Glare
Contents
Light Pollution
Light pollution includes misdirected light, stray light, avoidable reflected light, light during hours when it is not needed and light levels in excess of what is necessary for the task. According to the Illuminating Engineering Society of America light trespass complaints can usually be classified into two categories: Unwanted light illuminating an area or property and excessive brightness in the normal field of vision. Outdoor lighting can be designed to minimize obtrusive and stray light. Light pollution affects wildlife in undeveloped natural habitat areas and the use and enjoyment of property. It also interferes with astronomy and it wastes energy. "Cutting Down on Light Pollution," New Jersey Municipalities, March 1997.
Glare
Problems of glare from building reflections are generally regulated through building and zoning codes. For new development the SEPA Checklist (WAC 196-11-960), Environmental Element (11) covers light and glare and includes the questions: What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views? What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal? Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any.
Sample Ordinance Provisions
- Bellevue Land Use Code Section 20.20.522 - Light and Glare
- Bainbridge Island Ordinance No. 2002-15 (
532 KB) - Adds new chapter 15.34 to the municipal code, Outdoor Lighting on Public and Private Property, passed 8/02
- Brier Municipal Code Section 18.08.150 (
276 KB) - Light and Glare (Bottom of Page 11)
- Burlington Municipal Code Section 17.48.020 - Light and Glare (Performance Standards)
- Enumclaw Municipal Code Section 19.22.020 - Industrial and Exterior Lighting
- Goldendale Municipal Code Chapter 15.36 (
204 KB) - Outdoor Lighting
- Island County Ordinance No. C-124-99 - Signs and Lighting, passed 3/8/00.
- Kelso Municipal Code Section 8.24.050 (Z) - Types of enumerated nuisances .... (Z) The existence of any flood or display lighting unless used and constructed so as to not unduly illuminate the surrounding properties and not create a traffic hazard. Lighting maintained by the city on public rights-of-way and lighting of athletic fields are exempt from this provision
- Kennewick Municipal Code Chapter 18.39 ( 18 KB) - Outdoor Lighting
- Lake Forest Park Municipal Code, Section 16.06.140 ( 515 KB) - Light and Glare
- Lynnwood Municipal Code, Section 17.05.110 (Environmental Policy)
- Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code, Section 19.120.030 - Artificial Light and Glare
- Oak Harbor Municipal Code Section 20.14.060 - Light and Glare
- Okanogan County Code, Section 17.14A.110(E) - Rural Residential - Special Provisions - (E) Light and Glare E. Light and Glare. Outdoor lighting, including street and parking lot lighting, shall be directed downward and shielded to minimize potential glare to motorists and off-site residents. No exterior light with a direct source visible from a neighboring property shall be installed. Indirect sources and horizontal cut-off fixtures are recommended to reduce glare and provide general ambient light. Holiday lighting is exempt from these requirements.
- Pasco Municipal Code Chapter 12.32 - Outdoor Lighting
Athletic Field Lighting
- Design Standards for Athletic Field Lighting (Word File), Seattle Parks & Recreation, September 2003
- Juggling Performance vs. Pollution When It Comes to Sports Field Lighting, by Mitch Martin, Recreation Management, 2-03
- Neighborly Night Lights: Ball Fields that Don't Spill the Beams, by Sharon Colley, American City and County, 4-1-00
- Seeing the Light: Parks and Recreation Departments Nationally Are Updating Their Lighting Systems to Reflect the Publics Growing Concern Toward Light Pollution, by Maya Avrasin, Parks & Recreation, Oct, 2003
- Sports Lighting, Section 5.02 in Outdoor Lighting Code Handbook ( 1017 KB), International Dark-Sky Association, 2000
- 2008 Little League Lighting Standards and Safety Audit ( 220 KB)
Information Resources
- The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America - Publishes standards for lighting including sports and recreational lighting, parking lot lighting, and roadway lighting.
- International Dark-Sky Association - The IDA is concerned with adverse environmental impact on dark skies by building awareness of the problem of light pollution and of the solutions, and to educate everyone about the value and effectiveness of quality nighttime lighting.
- Lighting Ordinances
- Outdoor Lighting Code Handbook ( 978 KB), 2002
- New England Light Pollution Advisory Group - A volunteer group founded for the purpose of educating the public on the virtues of efficient, glare-free outdoor night lighting (and the benefits of no lighting at all for many outdoor applications).
- Outdoor Lighting ( 87 KB) Design Review Guide - Burlington Vermont Planning
- Let There Be Light, Planning Magazine, American Planning Association, March 2004 MRSC Library Loan
Return to Nuisances Main Page
Return to Park Facilities