Light Pollution

What is light pollution?

Light pollution is the inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light that causes serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate. Components of light pollution include:

Glare – excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort

Skyglow – brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas

Light trespass – light falling where it is not intended or needed

Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources

Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. Its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. The fact is that much outdoor lighting used at night is inefficient, overly bright, poorly targeted, improperly shielded, and, in many cases, completely unnecessary. This light, and the electricity used to create it, is being wasted by spilling it into the sky, rather than focusing it on to the actual objects and areas that people want illuminated. - DarkSky.org

Light Pollution in Lynnfield

Did you know?

The Lynnfield General Zoning Bylaws include a lighting ordinance that is designed to regulate exterior lighting. To review the bylaw, click here.

Resources for Homeowners

By following five simple principles for responsible outdoor lighting at home, you can protect nocturnal wildlife, be a good neighbor, comply with local regulations and preserve the night sky. Here are some helpful small changes you can make to reduce light pollution:
- Use only fully shielded LED fixtures with a warmer temperature for all outdoor lighting, so lights shine down, not up.
- Use only the right amount of light needed to illuminate targeted spaces.
- Install timers and dimmer switches and turn off lights when not in use. If you must have security lighting, use motion sensors.
- Use energy efficient bulbs which are only as bright as you need.
- Use lighting with a color temperature of 3000K and below to reduce the blue (cool) light that is more harmful to many animal species.