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DarkSky Recognized Codes program

Version 1.1, updated January 2026

Introduction

The DarkSky Recognized Municipal Code program is established by DarkSky International (DarkSky) to recognize local government entities that adopt bylaws, ordinances, codes, or legislation that meet or exceed DarkSky-approved provisions for reducing light pollution. These provisions are provided freely within the DarkSky Municipal Code for Outdoor Lighting template., which provides an appropriate and holistic set of requirements that uphold national lighting standards and ensure a comprehensive approach towards responsible outdoor lighting in a way code enforcement can understand. 

The municipal code template follows the objectives of the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting and is written based on the governmental structure of the United States, however the provisions are universally applicable. Additionally, the template contains industry-standard definitions and provides guidance to help explain why certain requirements are needed. 

For a local government to be DarkSky Recognized, it must formally enact or adopt a legally binding and enforceable code. DarkSky’s program for achieving Recognition offers interim reviews of the proposed language, and a final review and certification for enacted or adopted code that meets the requirements within the template. Government bodies achieving the “Recognized” status will be listed on the DarkSky website.  

This document explains the requirements for achieving the DarkSky Recognized Code status, including both technical and administrative requirements.

For questions on the program, contact the Lighting Program Manager

1.0 General

1.1 Scope

This DarkSky Recognized Code program offers DarkSky International (DarkSky) recognition for local government agencies (i.e., counties or municipalities ) that meet or exceed DarkSky provisions as written in the DarkSky Municipal Code for Outdoor Lighting.  

1.2 Recognition status

Recognition status through this program validates that a municipal outdoor lighting code meets or exceeds provisions within the DarkSky Template and has been enacted or adopted. The recognized entity will be the governing body or code itself. For instance, ‘the City of XYZ has a DarkSky Recognized municipal ordinance’. This status is designed to be a source of pride for communities, regions and territories as having enacted laws to mitigate light pollution. DarkSky will publish the list of Recognized locations and policies on DarkSky’s website.

1.3 Voluntary participation

The program is available to any entity desiring DarkSky Recognition and is voluntary. DarkSky Recognition has no enforcement of law; it simply recognizes laws that follow DarkSky principles and guidelines, as adopted by DarkSky International and published in their DarkSky International Policy Templates. 

1.4 Recognition is not an endorsement

DarkSky Recognition merely confirms that the enacted code meets the provisions of the Template. Recognition does not mean DarkSky endorses the municipality for any purpose. Specifically, if the governing entity chooses to enact stricter laws than our Template calls for, the DarkSky Recognition status of having met DarkSky’s Template requirements does not mean that DarkSky endorses measures that go beyond the limits of what are published in the Templates.  

2.0 Technical requirements

2.1 Adherence to template, minimum requirements

Any adopted code must be fully compliant with all measures noted in the Templates.

  1. Values, minimum or maximum: If a value is stated as a maximum, or “shall be no greater than”, the limits contained within the Templates must be adhered to within the statute. For example, the Templates state that light levels may not be more than 50% above recommended standards, and therefore the statute may not allow more light than this provision in order to be DarkSky Recognized. In some cases, the Template language will state minimum values, or maximum values; these limits are not negotiable for Recognition.
  2. Comprehensive inclusion: Code must include provisions that cover all of the baseline provisions within the Template.  Partial inclusion does not meet the needs of DarkSky Recognition.  
  3. Options and supplements: Items that are optional or supplemental are not required for Recognition unless the Template states that at least one of the options must be chosen.  When options or supplemental provisions are incorporated into the code, the code must meet all the requirements contained within the template option or supplement. 
  4. Definitions and terms: Definitions and terms used in the DarkSky Templates are based on industry standards, and it is our goal to create an international common vocabulary.  Changes to the definitions will be grounds for rejection.

3.0 Administrative requirements

3.1 Downloading templates

The DarkSky Policy Templates are freely available on the darksky.org website. In order to download the documents, you must agree to the Terms of Use, which stipulate how they can be used and what representations are allowed when using them.  Two downloadable versions are available for each template:

  1. PDF format: The non-edited PDF document is the official version of the DarkSky Templates and contains the DarkSky approved language.  Applications for DarkSky Recognition will be compared to the language in the PDF document. 
  2. Word format: This is an editable version of the Template for ease of editing, copying and pasting the provisions of the Template to meet local requirements, or to insert the provisions into established document formats.

3.2 Review Process

There are two reviews offered by DarkSky International under this program through the website [Link]. Each application requires a separate fee.

  1. Interim Review(s): DarkSky will review works in progress to assess whether a proposed state act or municipal code meets the requirements contained in the Templates. The review will include reviewing the proposed language and providing feedback including a list of conforming and non-conforming measures, with directives on what would be needed to meet the program requirements. DarkSky Strongly recommends at least one interim review prior to the vote for adoption to ensure all requirements have been met. Each interim review is treated as an independent review requiring fees for each time an application for review is submitted.
  2. Recognized Status: This option is only available for municipal code, DarkSky will review submissions for local government enacted or adopted codes . To ensure that the adopted code complies with DarkSky’s Template provisions, DarkSky recommends an interim review prior to enactment. DarkSky Recognition status will be given once the final code has been enacted or adopted. Applicants to this program must provide proof of code enactment or adoption:
    1. The final code language including the date of enactment; or
    2. Proof that the code was adopted by the governing entity.  This can be through a record of the official recording of the document, official minutes of the governing entity, publication of the final code, or other official documentation. 

3.3 Recognition certification and listing

Recognized codes  will be awarded a certificate and will be listed on the DarkSky website.  Certificates will be numbered in accordance with the chronological order in which they are approved by DarkSky for Recognition.  The listing on the DarkSky website will include the name of the government entity, the date of enactment or adoption, the certification number, and a link to the published legal document.

3.4 Requirement to give notice of change

If a governing entity is proposing to change a DarkSky Recognized code, the governing entity must communicate all proposed changes to DarkSky for review.  Recognition will be revoked for codes that change but are not reviewed by DarkSky.  Changes to the Recognized codes must conform to the most recently adopted version of the Template at the time of the change.

Appendix A – Background

The following background is provided for the reader to better understand the rationale within this document.

DarkSky International is often asked to assist advocates, architects, planners and government agencies to write policies, statutes, and codes to protect night skies. As this work has been done over the years, a consistent set of prioritized provisions have emerged; and given the time commitment for DarkSky to attend to all the requests, the DarkSky Board of Directors approved the implementation of Policy Templates that provide simple and effective measures consistent with the DarkSky International/Illuminating Engineering Society Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. 

The Policy Templates are the result of multi-year efforts that included several iterations based on meetings with various municipalities, lighting designers, engineers, reserahc leaders, manufacturer representatives, and environmental organizations.  Throughout this process, terms and definitions have been refined and the provisions have been vetted. DarkSky believes that the resulting provisions within the Templates represent cost-effective measures that enhance lighting quality and efficiency, while meeting our objective of mitigating light pollution for the benefit of humans, plants, animals, and our planet. 

The Recognition program provides a hub for all entities adhering to these provisions to celebrate their achievement, which DarkSky hopes will inspire others. The accomplishment of enacting codes that protect the night sky is a source of pride for communities, regions and territories for doing their part to reduce light pollution. When this effort is taken seriously, the results positively affect not only the inhabitants, but their neighbors and the environment as well.  Light pollution is unfortunately not contained within the property boundaries of a municipality or a state, and when proper measures are taken to reduce the output of light at night, it is to the benefit of wildlife, plant life, and neighboring communities or wilderness.  

DarkSky encourages all communities, regions, states and territories to consider passing outdoor lighting code to achieve these goals. Your constituents will be glad you did.