The Provo City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 25 to adopt updated outdoor lighting standards intended to reduce light pollution, improve nighttime visibility, and direct outdoor lighting where it is most effective. The ordinance took effect immediately but is not retroactive.
The new requirements apply only to new outdoor lighting installations, major remodels, and full fixture replacements. Existing residential lighting fixtures generally may remain as they are. Residents may continue replacing bulbs in existing fixtures without replacing the entire fixture, though updated standards apply when a fixture is fully replaced during remodeling or new development projects.
Based on principles from the Illuminating Engineering Society and DarkSky International, the ordinance seeks to reduce atmospheric light pollution by requiring warmer-colored lighting and directing light downward rather than into the night sky. Key provisions include requiring most new outdoor fixtures to use lamps with a correlated color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin or lower and requiring fixtures to be fully shielded so light is directed downward without shining above the horizontal plane.
Electronic display signs will also see updated brightness standards, with nighttime caps set at 300 nits and daylight caps at 5,000 nits. The ordinance maintains exemptions for holiday lighting, airport operations, construction lighting, temporary event lighting, and outdoor sports lighting.
Patricio Hernandez, director of energy services for Provo Power, stated that the ordinance formalizes lighting practices the city has already been implementing through its streetlight replacement program. Hernandez noted that Provo Power has been installing dark sky-compliant fixtures during streetlight upgrades over the last few years to improve visibility while reducing glare.
During the discussion, Councilmember Jeffrey Whitlock stated that the goal is to improve the quality of life in Provo by allowing residents to see the night sky. Councilmember Rachel Whipple noted that the standards will help guide future lighting projects completed by outside agencies within Provo, such as UDOT, to ensure consistency with city expectations.
The ordinance was approved by a 6-0 vote. As the holidays approach, the council intends to revisit these standards to include guidelines for holiday festivities.
