Recent Articles in The Pitch Magazine

Dark Sky Compliance simply means that homeowners keep the sky dark by adopting common sense approaches to exterior lighting. As the guiding light in Section 9.4.1 of the existing LDO, the intent of the Dark Sky Compliance is “to reduce light pollution.” The village’s policy also aligns with the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) guidelines.

While the seven-page portion of the LDO includes complex calibrations intended for builders, subdivision planners, and businesses, the Whispering Pines homeowner has simple guidelines laid out.

First, all homes should be equipped with a “Slater Lifelite” system. Zoning Administrator Linda Christopher explains the system as “a switch in your front entry that activates a flashing light by your exterior front door or garage door, or on a separate light post in your front yard.” The flashing light is intended to be used for emergencies and safety concerns and “alerts our emergency personnel and provides them an easy line of sight when time is of the essence.” This portion of the ordinance is one of the original regulations from the first LDO and “has provided many homeowners with a peace of mind over many years.”

Next, light pollution must be avoided. While that may seem vague, Christopher explains, “this ordinance is the one that we receive the least complaints about. Most people adhere to these guidelines even if they may not know all the specifics.” In fact, since January 2023, only four code enforcements have been administered. Lights become “pollution” when their glare goes to another property or goes into the sky.

For example, if outdoor lights point directly up, they are no longer in compliance with Dark Sky (because the sky is no longer dark). If the light (or glare) of outdoor lights encroaches upon a neighbor’s yard, the lights are now “trespassing.” Christopher makes a clarification here, “Being able to see a neighbor’s strand of lights or floodlights is different from light trespass or pollution. The lights only become noncompliant when you look down into your own yard or look at the side of your house and see light or a glare that did not come from your house.” Lights must not point up nor at property that does not belong to the homeowner.

Next, temporary lights for holidays or events, the lighting of flags, construction lights, underwater lighting, and decorative lighting (garden lights, patio strands, etc.) do not need to abide by the guidelines.

Security lights that include dusk-to-dawn lighting and motion sensors must include reflector shields (imagine a metal lamp shade) and do have height and angle restrictions depending on where they are located. Finally, while a few more caveats exist involving footcandles, both horizontal and not, the true purpose of this portion of the LDO does seem to “preserve and protect the nighttime use and enjoyment of all property.”