Outdoor Lighting

This guide offers information to Pennsylvania municipalities on their roles in fostering responsible outdoor lighting practices. It covers developing an outdoor lighting ordinance, offers several versions of outdoor lighting model ordinances, and lists examples of POLC-approved local lighting ordinances. Information is also provided on lighting code enforcement, lighting plan review, and roles of other regulatory bodies (environmental advisory councils, historical commissions, and parks and recreation boards) in regulating outdoor lighting.

POLC offers three model codes: a code for inclusion in zoning ordinances, a code for inclusion in the subdivision and land development ordinance, and a stand-alone ordinance. It also provides a discussion of the pros and cons of each option for inclusion.