Save Our Stars

Be the Solution to Light Pollution

Milky Way from Figueroa Mountain, Santa Ynez Valley Photo courtesy of Kieran Brady, Inept Creations

Our goal is for everyone in the Santa Ynez Valley to see the Milky Way at night. Not too long ago they could. But by 2000, unshielded, misdirected outdoor lighting – which leads to light pollution – made that impossible, resulting in the need for our Save Our Stars Committee. Please join us in making dark skies a reality again.

Light pollution is a problem throughout the world. By turning night into day we disrupt the natural rhythm of night and day, and hide the night sky’s natural beauty. We endanger wildlife’s reproduction, sleep, nourishment and protection from predators. We also waste energy (30%).

“What is needed is a cultural change – the expectation that an
essential part of a safe and aesthetically pleasing community is
outdoor lighting that is energy efficient, dark sky friendly and
neighbor friendly.” Susan Musgrove, early Save Our Stars Member

What is light pollution? Excessive and inappropriate artificial light at night. It causes 3 major problems. For an excellent discussion of the Effects of Light Pollution, check out the home page of Darksky International at darksky.org

Light Pollution Problems

Urban Sky Glow: Brightening of night sky making a light dome over inhabited areas so many fewer stars are seen. (80% of world’s population lives under sky glow.).

Photo credit: Dark Sky International

Light Trespass: Light from unshielded or too tall light fixtures shining where not intended or needed.

Bright light shining in a home window

Glare: Excessive brightness of lights that causes visual discomfort and damages night vision.

Gas Station

Unlike other environmental problems, when light pollution is eliminated there is nothing left behind to clean up afterwards and there are tangible benefits:

You see the stars at night.
You save electricity.
Wildlife and plants thrive
Safety is enhanced as light is on the ground, where needed, not shining up in the sky.
Neighbors appreciate no light trespass.

How can I reduce light pollution?

Use Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting (courtesy of Dark Sky International)

Use lighting only when and where it is needed.
Shield and aim light downward so it falls only where useful.
Make light no brighter than necessary.
Turn lights on only when needed.
Use amber toned light when possible.

Step 1. Evaluate your own outdoor lighting.

Do light fixtures provide needed safety without over lighting?
Do light fixtures’ designs prevent light trespass and glare for neighbors? (If higher than neighbors’ light source, you need recessed light from full cut-off fixtures).
Is fixture’s angle perpendicular to the ground?
Do light bulbs meet the lumens and Kelvin requirements for residential, commercial or industrial location?
Are lighting controls used – dimming, motion or timing devices?

Step 2. Try retrofitting. Buy a shield and/or substitute bulbs with lower watts, lumens and Kelvin readings. Find needed information on the bulb’s package.

lights

Watts: Measures the energy used. (LEDs are energy efficient.)

Lumens: Measures the intensity of the light. (See Lumens/Watts Chart).

Kelvin (K): Measures the color of the light. Lower K provides warmer, less intense color. We recommend 2700K.

Where can I buy retrofits or replacements? Your local or online home or lighting stores sell retrofitting devices, bulbs, and outdoor lighting fixtures. Many are labeled “dark sky compliant.” Check carefully as not all lighting fixtures are correctly labeled. Contact us for help via email at sos@wewatch.net

Step 3. If there is no retrofit solution, replace outdoor lighting fixtures. If a shield is not available you will need to buy new fully shielded or full cut-off light fixtures.

Also, devices that respond to motion at night, dim during the night or turn on at sunset and off at sunrise provide security and safety while conserving energy and preventing light trespass.

These fixtures are available in many architectural designs at home or lighting stores or online. Visit Dark Sky International’s website, www.darksky.org, What We Do, Dark Sky Approved lighting to view the many fixtures for residential, commercial and industrial uses that have received DSI seal of approval.

4. Outdoor Lighting Ordinances & Design Guidelines

Outdoor Lighting ordinances, located in city and county land use planning documents, provide specific legal regulations that define the allowed used of outdoor lighting. Design Guidelines include further recommendations regarding outdoor lighting for residential, commercial and industrial zones.

Before making changes to your outdoor lighting, read the appropriate ordinances and/or design guidelines and contact your city or county planning staff or Save Our Stars Committee if you have questions.

In the Santa Ynez Valley, the City of Buellton is completing an Outdoor Lighting Ordinance and updating 2008 Design Guidelines (Planning, 805-688-7474). [Link to be added]
The City of Solvang has a 2006 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. (Community Development, 805-688-5575) LINK https://ecode360.com/46093512
The County of Santa Barbara has a 2025 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance within its land use planning document, Chapter 35. North County Planning 805-934-6250; South County Planning 805-568-2000 LINK: SB County Ourdoor Lighting Ordinance
The Save Our Stars Committee initiated the development of these ordinances.

5. Problem Neighborhood Lighting; It is appropriate to contact your neighbors directly if their lighting is creating light pollution on your property:

Obtain our brochures, “Dark Sky, Neighbor Friendly Outdoor Lighting” & “Light Pollution & Wildlife” before talking gently with your neighbors. You can obtain these at the SY Valley Botanic Garden kiosk, at one of the SY Valley libraries or by contacting the Save Our Stars Committee via email at sos@wewatch.net. Neighbors can become defensive for various reasons. They may be afraid of the dark, scared of potential burglars, question whether they can afford to retrofit or replace light fixtures. They may have chosen the offending light fixtures and really like them.
Feel free to give them our brochures but please do not put them in their USPS mailboxes.
Another way to approach them is to send them a letter with the brochures. Again this must be carefully written to prevent a defensive response. Neighbor Sample Letter
If neither talking nor writing solves the problem, ask Code Enforcement in your city or the county to intervene, analyze the problem, explain code requirements and enforce needed changes.

If you live in the Santa Ynez Valley, contact:

City of Buellton, contact Planning, Code Enforcement, 805-688-7474.
City of Solvang, contact Community Development, Code Enforcement, 805-688-5575.
Locations outside city limits, contact County Planning, Code Enforcement: North County, 805-934-6251; South Coast, 805-568-3558,

If you live outside our Valley, contact your City and ask for Code Enforcement, if outside Santa Barbara County, your City and County.

A street light is shining in my window. What can I do?

Before phoning, obtain the pole number from the pole plus the street and nearest house number. Report the problem and ask for a shield.

In North County, contact PG&E, Email: youareprojects@pge.com or Phone, 1-877-743-7782 M-F 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Building Renovation Dept.) In Lompoc, call 1-805-875-8012.
In South County, call Southern CA Edison.

Need more information/assistance?

Save Our Stars Committee, WE Watch. Contact for help with lighting fixture selection, light pollution problems and outdoor lighting ordinances. We can provide a speaker for your organization, Astronomy in the Schools classroom presentations, Night Sky Protection Awards, brochures, bumper stickers, etc. Contact chairperson via e-mail at: sos@wewatch.net

Dark Sky International’ is the globally recognized authority on light pollution and night sky conservancy. Website: darksky.org.

Join SOS to help solve light pollution.

If you are interested in helping the Save Our Stars Committee please contact Nancy Emerson, Save Our Stars Chairperson, at sos@wewatch.net

1. Astronomy in the Schools. Attend Chuck McPartlin’s presentations in 5th and 8th grade classrooms in Santa Ynez Valley schools. Learn more about astronomy while serving as an SOS volunteer.

school awards

2. Night Sky Protection Awards. Help select residences and businesses with dark sky compliant lighting for our awards program.

Elverhoj Museum of History & Art

3. Education of Valley residents and Lighting Professionals.

Utilize current print and social media to market “dark skies.”
Speak to community groups about light pollution solutions.
Distribute Save Our Stars brochures.
Communication with Architects, Lighting Engineers & Designers, Contractors and Electricians.

4. Lighting for proposed projects

For Buellton, Solvang and County areas outside our cities, evaluate project application information about outdoor lighting.
Comment in writing online, or in person at government meetings of Planning Commissions and Design Review Committee, Central County Board of Architectural Review.

5. Solutions to individual existing lighting problems.

Residential, business and industrial property owners.
Neighbors having problems with neighbor’s lighting.
Help with retrofit or new lighting solutions.

6. Your ideas for solving light pollution problems.

Glossary

1. Light pollution: Any adverse effect of human made light (See 2,3,4).

2. Glare: Light shining into the eye that results in discomfort or reduced visual performance and visibility.

3. Light trespass: Artificial light that produces unnecessary and/or unwanted illumination of another property.

4. Sky glow: Brightening of the night sky due to man-made lighting.

5. Safety: Freedom from the risk of injury.

6. Security: Protection from criminal activity.

7. Fully shielded light fixture: fixtures, with a solid barrier, that emit no light rays above the horizontal plane and effectively obscure the visibility of the bulb (lamp). Describes “dark sky compliant” light fixture.

8. Lumen: Amount of light emitted by a light bulb (lamp).

9. Watt: Amount of electrical energy used by a light bulb (lamp).

10. Full Cutoff: Recessed to horizontal angle of at least 90 degrees. Bulb will be recessed further into the cap than in a fully shielded light fixture.

Final reminder -ways you can combat light pollution

Use lights that are Useful, Targeted, Low level, Controlled, and Warm colored. (Five Principles for Outdoor Lighting, DarkSky International)

Turn off lights anytime you are not using them. It reduces light pollution, saves money and energy.

Close curtains or blinds at night. This prevents glow from inside your house reaching outside.

Educate others! Conversations about light pollution and how we can lessen it lead to positive changes.

12/10/2025