Portsmouth City Council is considering a measure that would crack down on ultra-bright security lighting and even on some decorative outdoor lighting.
The city says it’s getting complaints from neighbors who feel that other people’s lighting is trespassing onto their property and preventing them from enjoying their homes. The measure would ban lighting that “trespasses” onto neighbor’s properties or that generates glare affecting drivers or pedestrians.
The legislation received a first reading at Monday’s City Council meeting, and all present members voted for it to move on for a second reading. After three readings, the council can then decide if they want to vote it into law.
Current city lighting standards forbid lights over 3000 Kelvin between 10 pm and 6 am and require fixtures to have a shield to them to reflect down. However, landscape uplighting to highlight features of a building is allowed. Interestingly enough, the city is exempt from the outdoor lighting standards. The new legislation would put limits on uplighting.