Changes to County outdoor lighting rules take effect Dec. 23

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 updated rules take effect Dec. 23 for all new outdoor light installations in unincorporated areas of the county. Property owners with existing outdoor lights installed and working before that date will have until December 2028 to comply.

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.

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:

1. Lights must be downcast.
2. Fixtures must be fully shielded.
3. 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.

Learn more about the County's outdoor lighting ordinance by listening to the Inside Deschutes County podcast or visiting the Community Development Department website.

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Media contact:

Tanya Saltzman, Senior Planner

(541) 388-6528