City of Northampton Lighting Policies

Northampton's lighting code was approved in 2006 and applies to all new private development projects.  It was fairly standard for its time, but now it's overdue to be updated, especially since LEDs, which have changed outdoor lighting so dramatically, are not even mentioned in the code.  Enforcement of the code is also uneven at best -- for example, the light shown above does not comply, but was approved by the city.

In January 2021, the Northampton Energy and Sustainability Commission (NESC) unanimously endorsed the IDA/IES Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting.  The 5 Principles also appear in the city's Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan (p. 39).

On Sept. 3, 2020, the Northampton City Council unanimously endorsed a resolution in support of the twin statewide "Dark Sky Bills" (current versions: S.2147 and H.3306).  Copies of the resolution were sent to our representatives in the state legislature, the relevant committee chairs, and Governor Baker.

At the Northampton City Council meeting on April 13, 2023, City Council President Jim Nash read aloud Mayor Sciarra's official proclamation recognizing April 15-22, 2023 as International Dark Sky Week