What standards are used in the by-law:

• All lighting standards are based on the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) guidelines.
• The guidelines provide recommended lighting levels and fixture specifications to reduce light pollution (light trespass, glare and skyglow – defined below).

What are full-cut-off (FCO) light fixtures?

• Full-cut-off fixtures are outdoor lighting fixtures designed to direct all illumination downward and reduce light pollution.
• These fixtures include shields or hoods that prevent light from projecting upward or horizontally and must meet the required glare limits between 80 and 90 degrees. 

What is light trespass and why is it a concern? 

• Light trespass occurs when artificial light shines onto neighbouring properties.
• Light trespass can disturb sleep, compromise privacy, and negatively affect human health, wildlife, and astronomical observations. 

What is glare?

• Glare is the visual discomfort or impairment that occurs when a light source is brighter than what your eyes can comfortably adapt to. It can cause annoyance, discomfort, reduced visibility, and in some cases, pain. Glare can be temporary or intense enough to momentarily blind a person, such as when facing an oncoming vehicle with LED headlights.

What is skyglow?

• Skyglow, also known as a light dome, is the brightening of the night sky over urban or developed areas. It occurs when artificial light is directed upward, scattering in all directions and reflecting back toward the ground, affecting both people and wildlife.

What are “shielded” or “retrofit” kits and where can I find them?

• Shielded and retrofit kits are add-on components designed to prevent upward or horizontal light emissions. 
• These products are available through lighting manufacturers and hardware retailers and must meet IESNA full-cut-off criteria to comply with the Municipality’s by-law.

Does this by-law apply to me?

• The by-law applies to all types of outdoor lighting – lighting for buildings and structures, yards, barns, parking areas, recreational facilities, signs, walkways and street lighting.
• The by-law applies to all new developments, and to any replacement, modification, or relocation of existing outdoor lighting fixtures.
• Certain exemptions may apply. Refer to the exemption provisions of the by-law.
• Most current municipal street lighting currently meets the requirements and has since 2017 when conversion to LED street luminaires took place.

How does the by-law apply to street lighting?

• Municipal street lighting must comply with IESNA standards and use full-cut-off fixtures.
• LED streetlights must have a colour temperature of 3000K or lower.
• Existing grandfathered partially cut-off streetlights will be replaced by sharp cut-off fixtures when lamp replacement is required.

What are the Municipality's wattage requirements for new and grandfathered streetlighting?

• Wattages of streetlights typically are within the ranges below to meet the illumination values as specified in Schedule A of the by-law:
  • Residential areas use 25 and 40 watts
  • Intersections use 60 to 75 watts
  • Major thoroughfares use 80 to 100 watts
  • Many areas are underlit but conform to night sky requirements with spacing greater than 5:1 and are grandfathered

All installations must comply with IESNA luminance and uniformity standards, and illumination values as specified in Schedule A of the by-law.

Why is a 3000K or lower colour temperature required?

• Cooler, blue-toned lighting (4000K or higher) contributes more significantly to skyglow and disrupts wildlife and human circadian rhythms.
• Lights with colour temperature of 3000K or lower produce warmer tones that are more suitable for night-sky preservation and environmental protection.
• Lower colour temperatures are especially important for LED lighting, which contains a high proportion of blue light that can produce greater glare and skyglow than incandescent lights.

What rules apply to lights and decorative lights on the outside of buildings?

• Existing grandfathered wall-mounted lights are encouraged to comply with the by-law, and unshielded wall-pack lights are encouraged to be shielded (shielding becomes required when a fixture is replaced).
• Architectural and building accent lighting must be aimed downward and designed to prevent glare.
• Low-wattage decorative lighting, such as holiday lighting, may be exempt at the discretion of the Director of Roads and Public Works.

Are free standing or yard lights included? 

• Yes. All outdoor lighting used for yards, driveways, or parking areas must be installed in a manner that prevents light from trespassing onto adjacent properties.
• Where light trespass occurs, corrective actions such as shielding or fixture adjustments will be required in accordance with the by-law.

Are solar-powered lights allowed?

• Yes, solar powered lights are permitted under the by-law. These lights must meet the full-cut-off requirements and minimize glare and skyglow.
• Solar garden lights should be directed downward and should use warmer colour temperatures to reduce light pollution.

What additional steps can I take to ensure my lighting is dark-sky compliant? 

• Residents are encouraged to review their existing outdoor lighting to determine whether it meets IESNA standards.
• Additional steps to improve dark-sky friendliness include:
  • Turning off outdoor lights when they are not required
  • Installing motion sensors or timers on outdoor lighting so that lighting is limited to only when it is needed.
  • Closing blinds after dark to limit interior light escaping outdoors
  • Using warmer-coloured light bulbs to reduce glare and skyglow

Where can I learn more about light pollution?

• Additional information is shared through local events and community outreach in partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC).
• More information on light pollution abatement can be found at https://rasc.ca/lpa

How does the by-law apply to recreational facilities?

• Recreational facilities may use lighting permitted under the by-law, provided that:
  • Fixtures are full-cut-off LED or have sharp cut-off capabilities through shielding or retrofit kits 
  • Light trespass, glare, and up-light are minimized
  • Lights are turned off when the facility is not in use
  • Shielding is installed when fixtures are replaced

Are there any types of outdoor lighting prohibited?

• Yes. Certain lighting types are prohibited under the by-law, including laser source lighting, searchlights used for advertising or entertainment purposes, and illuminated off-site advertising signs after business hours. 

Are temporary lights allowed for events?

• Individuals or organizations may request a temporary exemption by submitting a written request to the Director of Roads and Public Works
• Approval of a temporary exemption is at the discretion of the Director of Roads and Public Works
• The request must include the following information:
  • A description of the exemption being requested
  • The type and intended use of temporary lighting
  • The date, duration, and location of the event
  • Details of the lighting, including size, luminaire type, wattage, and manufacturer specifications

What does grandfathered lighting mean?

• Grandfathered lighting refers to outdoor lights that were legally installed before the current By-law came into effect in 2003.
• These lights may remain in place as long as they are not changed. Any replacement, modification, or relocation of the lighting must meet the provisions of the by-law.

How is the night sky protected near The Fred Lossing Observatory? 

• Due to the light-sensitive nature of the observatory, lighting within a four (4) kilometre radius of the site must comply with the provisions outlined in Table 2 of Appendix 1 of the by-law.
• All new developments within this area must comply with the lighting requirements of the by-law and provide documentation identifying the type and number of lighting fixtures to be installed. 
• Existing lighting in this area must be made compliant when replaced.

How do I obtain lighting approval for a new build or development?

• For large-scale developments that require a planning application such as Subdivisions or Site Plan Control, compliance with the by-law must be demonstrated through the submission of lighting information, including:
  • A site plan indicating the location and type of all proposed lighting fixtures or lamps
  • Manufacturer catalogue cuts, product descriptions, and drawings for each fixture
  • A lighting plan prepared by a qualified professional, including photometric data, cut-off angles and light levels

What if a light fixture is changed after approval?

• Any change to an approved lighting fixture or light source must meet or exceed the current performance standards. 

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

• If a complaint is received by the Municipality, enforcement procedures and penalties for non-compliance are set out in Section 4: Offences and Penalties of the by-law.

How does this by-law benefit residents?

• Reduced glare improves nighttime visibility and enhances safety.
• Lower levels of intrusive outdoor lighting help improve sleep quality.
• Preserving natural dark skies protects the local environment, including local wildlife, and astronomical resources.
• Reduced energy consumption from using efficient fixtures and lighting controls (timers and motion detectors) provides cost savings and reduces our carbon footprint.