SAGE will join a number of organizations and individuals to promote the implementation of a Light Nuisance Bylaw in Lethbridge. A Community Issues Committee meeting will be held on April 30th at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Thank you for providing this opportunity to present to the Community Issues Committee on the topic of a Light Nuisance Bylaw.

We are requesting that the City of Lethbridge design a dedicated bylaw for neighbourhood-residential land-use that establishes a clear definition for light nuisance, sets expectations to avoid it, and provide recourse to residents when they are affected by light trespass onto their property.

To be clear, we are not advocating for the prohibition of residential lighting for safety or for holiday celebrations; for changes to street lighting; or for business-commercial lighting within their designated land-use areas. This request is not intended to take light away, it is to provide privacy and enhance the well-being of residents.

We envision a Light Nuisance Bylaw to be designed in the same spirit as already-existing regulations like those relating to noise, odours, snow & ice removal, outdoor burning, or uncontrolled pets. In other words, a light bylaw would promote and protect one’s quality of life on their own property by setting standards for public responsibility.

Many municipalities in Alberta already regulate light trespass through Light Nuisance Bylaws or community standards, including Calgary, Edmonton, Lacombe, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and others.

This is the extent of our request.

But there are some additional positive benefits from the creation of such a Bylaw:

The first, is that it provides an opportunity, through public education, to encourage the design of lighting to be directed to its purpose, while reducing light where and when it is not required. This means directional lighting with effective shielding with or without the application of timers and motion sensors.

Secondly, well designed lighting using available technologies can effectively reduce energy use, costs, and related emissions – this is always a benefit.

Thirdly, Lethbridge was officially designated a Bee City in 2023. Lighting has a negative impact on the life-cycle of insects, as well as birds and other animals. A Light Nuisance Bylaw, though not prohibiting lighting on individual properties, may raise awareness of the unintended impacts of lighting on nocturnal life in the city. Many of the insects affected by light at night provide ecological services like pollination that are invaluable to us all.

To conclude, a Light Nuisance Bylaw is common to other communities in the province, it relies on readily available lighting technologies, and it is cost-effective. In sum, in makes our city better.

We urge the City of Lethbridge to implement a Light Nuisance Bylaw and demonstrate a commitment to community well-being, for the use and enjoyment of property, and the right to darkness. It allows for the delivery of immediate benefits to residents while supporting broader ecological goals, including those promised by Lethbridge as a Bee City.