Good neighbor policies and practices keep light out of the night sky and on the ground where it belongs. Being a good neighbor means recognizing that how we light our property has an impact on our human neighbors as well as wildlife, plants, and insects.
The Good Neighbor Toolkit includes resources for better understanding what it means to be a good neighbor, how to take action around your own home and neighborhood, and an overview of good neighbor lighting policies and best practices.
A 13 minute overview of good neighbor policy considerations including: a description of common law nuisance, the definition of light trespass, indications for how to find appropriate lighting, and illustrations on how to make good neighbor behaviors both compulsory and durable.
John Barentine, Former Director of Public Policy at International Dark-Sky Association
International Dark-Sky Association
Just four simple steps can lead to home lighting that is both beautiful and functional, without contributing to excessive light pollution.
International Dark-Sky Association
National Park Service
The IDA Public Policy Committee has approved model CC&Rs suitable for use by HOAs around the U.S. In order to make it adaptable to local legal requirements, it is less prescriptive than IDA’s other model outdoor lighting policies such as the Model Lighting Ordinance. Rather, its guidance is rooted in the five principles for responsible outdoor lighting adopted jointly by IDA and the Illuminating Engineering Society in 2020.
International Dark-Sky Association
Illuminating Engineering Society