Preserving LA’s Dark Skies

The dark sky movement seeks to reduce light pollution, generally defined as the unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive use of artificial light. The benefits of reducing light pollution include more stars being visible at night, reduced effects of electric lighting on the environment, improved well-being, health, and safety of people and wildlife, and decreased energy usage.

In Los Angeles County, the Rural Outdoor Lighting District (ROLD) promotes and maintains dark skies for the health and enjoyment of individuals and wildlife. Specifically, ROLD applies to rural unincorporated areas and includes requirements such as shielding and angling lights to avoid light pollution and light spilling onto adjacent properties. Individuals may also adopt lighting best practices to reduce light pollution in communities. For example, they can take actions such as turning exterior lights off by 10:00 pm, using motion sensors for lights at night, opting for subdued warm lighting, and only using the lights that they really need.

For more information, please visit this webpage created and maintained by the L.A. County Department of Regional Planning which includes resources such as brochures in multiple languages about the ROLD and videos explaining the importance of dark skies and how the ROLD helps to reduce light pollution.