‘Our goal was to simplify’: Deschutes County’s revised outdoor lighting rules take effect soon; here’s what’s changing
(Update: adding comments from Deschutes County, DarkSky Oregon)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Earlier this year, Deschutes County amended its outdoor lighting ordinance to reduce light pollution and protect Central Oregon’s night skies while maintaining public safety. The new rules take effect in less than two weeks.
"So before, there were a lot of charts that talked about wattage and bulb type and all of the stuff was very difficult. So our goal was to simplify that," said county Senior Planner Tanya Saltzman said Wednesday.
Christopher Hill, a board member with DarkSky Oregon, says the county’s updated rules are based on National Dark Sky guidance, aimed at promoting safer, more responsible lighting.
Astrotourism is a growing business, in Central Oregon. People come here to see the night skies," said Hill, DarkSky Oregon board member and astrophotographer.
Hill says artificial light at night can negatively affect both people and wildlife.
"There is definitely an impact not only on our individual circadian rhythm, but also dissipating rhythm for other creatures. This includes the migration of birds," Hill said.
The updated county rules take effect Tuesday, Dec. 23 for all new outdoor light installations in unincorporated areas of the county.
"Our rules don't apply to the cities because they each have their own regulations," said Saltzman."It does not apply to Bend, La Pine, Sisters, Redmond.It does apply to communities such as Tumalo, and Terrebonne and all of the rural counties."
Property owners with existing outdoor lights installed and working before that date will have until December 2028 to comply with the revised rules.
After receiving feedback from two advisory panels and holding multiple public hearings, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the outdoor lighting ordinance during its Sept. 24 meeting.
The changes include:
- Using guidance from DarkSky International to promote safe, responsible lighting.
- Updating terminology, which includes “downcast,” “light trespass,” “fully shielded” and “string lights.”
- Setting three primary requirements for non-exempt fixtures:
- Lights must be downcast.
- Fixtures must be fully shielded.
- Light trespass is prohibited.
- Clarifying existing exemptions and adding others. For example: the updated ordinance clarifies that holiday lighting is allowed from the day after Thanksgiving through Jan. 15 each year.
You can learn more about the county’s outdoor lighting ordinance by listening to the Inside Deschutes County podcast or visiting the Community Development Department website.
