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Consultation has concluded
City Council held a public hearing on the dark sky ordinance on October 2, 2023. You can find the video here.
What do you think about dark sky lighting? We want to know!
The City of Louisville is drafting a dark-sky lighting ordinance to regulate outdoor lighting. This project was started in fall 2021 and was put on hold in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire.
At a public hearing on August 10, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the dark sky lighting ordinance to Council. The Commission specifically recommended the updated Option 2 for compliance, which you can read on this webpage.
The next step is review by City Council. The item will be publicly noticed ahead of the City Council hearing.
Thank you to everyone who provided comments on the first three drafts of the ordinance, attended the April Open House, replied to the survey, attended Planning Commission hearings, and gave input at other events and over email. Staff estimates that over 250 individuals have provided comments on the project to date. The ordinance drafts include several changes based on public input, which are summarized in the summary report in the Draft Ordinance & Survey Responses section of this webpage.
The Draft Ordinance & Survey Responses section also includes full survey results and the staff presentation at the open house.
Learn more about dark sky regulations:
Explore the Helpful Documents section of this website.
Watch this short video on "smart lighting" for safety and this in-depth presentation on outdoor lighting from the National Institute of Crime Prevention.
Learn how to select dark sky lighting for your home improvement projects.
City Council held a public hearing on the dark sky ordinance on October 2, 2023. You can find the video here.
What do you think about dark sky lighting? We want to know!
The City of Louisville is drafting a dark-sky lighting ordinance to regulate outdoor lighting. This project was started in fall 2021 and was put on hold in the aftermath of the Marshall Fire.
At a public hearing on August 10, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the dark sky lighting ordinance to Council. The Commission specifically recommended the updated Option 2 for compliance, which you can read on this webpage.
The next step is review by City Council. The item will be publicly noticed ahead of the City Council hearing.
Thank you to everyone who provided comments on the first three drafts of the ordinance, attended the April Open House, replied to the survey, attended Planning Commission hearings, and gave input at other events and over email. Staff estimates that over 250 individuals have provided comments on the project to date. The ordinance drafts include several changes based on public input, which are summarized in the summary report in the Draft Ordinance & Survey Responses section of this webpage.
The Draft Ordinance & Survey Responses section also includes full survey results and the staff presentation at the open house.
Learn more about dark sky regulations:
Explore the Helpful Documents section of this website.
Watch this short video on "smart lighting" for safety and this in-depth presentation on outdoor lighting from the National Institute of Crime Prevention.
Learn how to select dark sky lighting for your home improvement projects.
Louisville 2023 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance has finished this stage
January 2021: Council adopted the 2021 Work Plan, directing staff to pursue dark-sky compliant lighting ordinance.
July and September 2021: Council held a Discussion/Direction, directing staff to explore commercial and residential lighting options and to draft an amortization timeline to bring existing lighting into compliance.
Staff research
Louisville 2023 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance has finished this stage
September - December 2021: Staff researched lighting regulations, drawing from existing municipal codes, International Dark Sky Association (IDA) practices, and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommendations.
On hold
Louisville 2023 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance has finished this stage
This project was on hold due to the Marshall Fire.
Online Surveys Open & Public Draft Ordinance
Louisville 2023 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance has finished this stage
Community surveys open. Closes April 15, 2023.
First draft of ordinance is online for public review.
Open House
Louisville 2023 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance has finished this stage
Monday, April 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM at the Louisville Public Library.
Comment Period: Updated Draft Ordinance
Louisville 2023 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance is currently at this stage