DarkSky South Florida
Responsible outdoor lighting
Responsible outdoor lighting can support visibility, comfort, and community needs while reducing glare, light trespass, skyglow, and wasted energy.
A shared framework
Five principles for every outdoor light.
DarkSky International and the Illuminating Engineering Society developed five principles that apply across homes, businesses, public spaces, and institutions.
Read the official five principles- 01
Useful
Identify the purpose of every light before installing or replacing it.
Remove or leave off lighting that does not serve a clear need.
- 02
Targeted
Use shields and careful placement to direct light only where it is needed.
Keep light below the horizontal and away from neighboring properties and habitat.
- 03
Low level
Use the lowest light level that meets the task.
More light is not always better visibility; avoid excessive contrast and glare.
- 04
Controlled
Use timers, motion sensors, and dimmers.
Match operating hours to the time people actually need the light.
- 05
Warm-colored
Limit shorter-wavelength blue-violet light.
Choose warmer sources while still meeting the practical needs of the site.
Try this at home
A five-minute lighting check.
- Stand outside after dark and identify what each light is meant to illuminate.
- Look for bare bulbs, glare, and light crossing property lines or pointing upward.
- Turn off lights that are not serving a current purpose.
- Consider shields, lower output, warmer color, or motion controls.
- Recheck from the sidewalk or a neighbor’s perspective.
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