You come home after a long day, craving a quiet retreat. But instead of peaceful darkness, your house is bathed in an unwelcome spotlight. Maybe your neighbor’s gone full-on Griswold with their holiday decorations, or a harsh floodlight illuminates your entire yard with every passing car. Suddenly, your sanctuary feels more like a brightly lit fairground attraction than a place to unwind.
This is the reality of light pollution, and it’s disrupting sleep, wildlife, and our ability to connect with the nighttime sky. But it doesn’t have to be so.
Let’s take a look at the city code:
Sec. 800.060. – Exterior lighting
(a) Exterior lighting shall not shine or reflect onto adjacent properties, or cast glare onto the public right-of-way.
(b) Exterior light fixtures shall be located and designed so that the light source, when viewed at a height of five feet above the ground at a distance of five feet outside the boundary of the lot, shall be either:
(1) Completely shielded from direct view; or
(2) No greater than five foot-candles in illumination.
When installing lights, it is important to aim the fixtures only where it is needed. It should not shine on a neighbors, or even public, property. Also consider using softer (more yellow) light. Lights with a sensor are a great option, as long as the light only activates when you need it, not when people or vehicles pass by your property.
When another light affects you negatively, first try and talk to your neighbor. If that doesn’t work out, then consider making a report to the City of Salem’s Code Enforcement department or involve Neighbour-To-Neighbour as a mediator.
Even lights you are not aware off, could negatively affect you and you surroundings. The Dark Skies initiative is working to change that.