Ottawa to explore bylaw to dim light pollution in neighbourhoods

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An Ottawa councillor is looking to dim the lights shining into neighbours’ backyards and properties across the city.

The emergency preparedness and protective services committee voted Monday to direct staff to include a possible light pollution bylaw as part of the Bylaw Review Work Plan during the next term of council.

“Residents have indicated concerns with light pollution affecting their use and enjoyment of their properties and homes that are not adequately addressed by the existing regulations,” said the motion submitted on behalf of Coun. Theresa Kavanagh.

Kavanagh says the new zoning regulations and an increase in urban density cause light pollution to become problematic for “humans and wildlife alike.”

“Establishing clear standards for outdoor lighting will help mitigate these impacts, promote public health and safety, and protect local ecosystems while still allowing for appropriate illumination in urban spaces,” Kavanagh said.

The councillor notes other Ontario municipalities have a bylaw to regulate light pollution.

Kavanagh says she hears complaints from residents about light pollution.

“They complain about, usually, a neighbouring property and the excessive light, and we don’t have anything in place to do anything about it,” Kavanagh told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal.

“There is need for light, but there’s also unnecessary light pollution. This can come from many sources; it’s sometimes businesses, it’s sometimes high-rise buildings, it’s sometimes just your neighbour next door.”

Kavanagh says most of the complaints about “misdirected lights” that are being directed towards a home.

Mississauga’s Nuisance Bylaw says the bylaw is to “promote reasonable uses of outdoor lighting for night-time safety, utility, security, productivity, enjoyment and commerce while preserving the ambiance of the light.” The bylaw says it is also intended to reduce glare from exterior luminaries and reduce “unwanted light trespass and spill.”

According to the bylaw, the use of laser source light, signal beacons, flood lights, spotlights, or flashing lights that “project light onto adjacent private property is prohibited.”

Under Mississauga’s Nuisance Bylaw, the penalty for a first offence is a fine of less than $10,000.

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