Snowmass’ new lighting code to help protect night skies

Snowmass instituted a new code last week to protect its night skies. 

On Sept. 17, the town instituted its updated Outdoor Lighting Code, which sets curfews for outdoor light use, institutes a holiday-light usage window, restricts the brightness of outdoor lights, and more.

“We want to preserve the naturally dark skies for the benefit of residents, visitors, and wildlife, and our environment,” said Sara Nester, Snowmass’ Community Development code compliance manager.

The code allows enforcement for “lighting trespass,” which is the “measurable light that extends beyond the boundary of its usage area,” for both commercial and residential areas. The town can enforce the trespass if light extends beyond the property line, according to the code. 

It can only enforce the lighting trespass between the town’s “nighttime hours” of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for both residential and commercial non-essential outdoor lighting. Businesses are exempt from the restriction if their operating hours fall within the window, at which point the restrictions apply within an hour of a business’ closing or opening.

The code requires all clear-lens point light sources to be directed downward by a solid cap on top of the lighting fixture, or a “shield.” Non-clear light sources do not require a shield. 

With the updated code, the town will measure light in lumens, a metric for light output, rather than watts, a metric for energy consumption, which the town previously used. 

“This just kind of updates for what’s on the market and then what’s appropriate for the town,” said Greg LaBlanc, Snowmass assistant town manager. 

For residences, unshielded light sources must not exceed 850 lumens per luminaire, or light unit, and are capped at a maximum of two luminaires per dwelling. 

The code also instituted a set window permitting “seasonal” lighting from Nov. 15 to Jan. 31 for residential areas and from Nov. 15 to March 1 in commercial zones.

“Seasonal lighting shall not interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles or create dangerous glare conditions on adjacent roadways or properties,” the code states. “Seasonal lighting shall be maintained in an attractive condition and not constitute a dangerous situation or fire hazard.”

Seasonal lighting must be turned off during night hours, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to the code. 

“Festoon lighting,” or electric lamps strung on a wire and fixed between at least two points, must also abide by the night hours for both residential and commercial areas. 

Festoon lighting is considered seasonal lighting in residential areas and is only permitted by the town between Nov. 15 and Jan. 31, in accordance with the temporary seasonal lighting regulations. 

Commercial festoon lighting is allowed year-round. The code caps the brightness of the commercial festoon lighting at 50 lumens per lamp, with no section of the festoon string allowed to exceed 25 lumens per foot, according to Nester.

Under the updated code, the town will operate on a complaint basis. 

“The person complaining must identify themselves and submit a formal complaint in writing,” the code states.

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.