Light Pollution Code Amendment - Creation of Dark Skies Zone C

Proposed Update

This effort was initiated by the public to revise and amend the Light Pollution Chapter of the Regulatory Code, this amendment will create a new zone to incorporate light pollution requirements in the Julian and Borrego Springs communities.

The proposed changes would allow Julian and Borrego Springs communities to meet current International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) standards for light pollution and be eligible for certification by the IDA.

The initiation is supported by community members and business community in Julian and Borrego Springs. Additionally, the Julian Community Planning Group wrote a letter of support in July 2018, and County staff have been working with the Dark Skies Network to understand the necessary updates throughout 2019/2020.

The Light Pollution Chapter sets standards to minimize light pollution to allow citizens of the county to view and enjoy the night environment, and to protect the Palomar and Mount Laguna observatories from the detrimental effect that light pollution has on astronomical research.

Read more about the International Dark Sky Association.

The Light Pollution regulation was initially part of a Zoning Clean-Up item that was presented to the Planning Commission hearing on January 25, 2019. This item (County Clean Up Item 1 – Regulatory Code Title 5 – Light Pollution) was deferred back to Planning & Development Services staff for further analysis.

Public Participation

The County of San Diego encourages residents, business owners, and stakeholders to provide their input on the proposed Light Pollution chapter amendment.

In addition to presentations at Borrego Spring CSG and Julian CPG meetings, and meetings with other stakeholders, the County offered the two public input opportunities below:

Live Webinar

The County held a live webinar, on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and included a presentation and interactive question-and-answer period with County staff and their consultant team.

View the recorded presentation
View the PowerPoint presentation

Draft Light Pollution Chapter Amendment

The documents below were made available for a public review period that concluded October 4, 2020. Comments submitted on these documents were evaluated for incorporation by County staff.

The final proposed code language for Board consideration will be provided a week before the October 28, 2020 hearing.

See below for links to the draft ordinance language and the next section below for the link to Board of Supervisors materials (when available).

Public Hearings

The proposed amendment to the Light Pollution chapter will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration on October 28, 2020 (first reading). If the Board takes the actions recommended for October 28, 2020, then on November 18, 2020, the Board will consider the proposed amendment for adoption (second reading).

The Board materials will be available a week before each hearing at the following website: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html

In Person Participation Prohibited

Due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) public health emergency, including the order by the State of California public health officials for anyone living in the state to stay home, in-person participation at Board of Supervisors meetings were not be allowed.

Those wishing to participate in the meeting and/or comment could visit the following website for information on how to do so during the COVID-19 public health emergency: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html