Deschutes County holds public hearing on dark‑sky code updates; commissioners direct staff to return with revised text

Deschutes County commissioners held a hybrid public hearing Aug. 27 on proposed amendments to the county’s outdoor lighting control chapter, a legislative effort staff said was intended to modernize rules first adopted in 1994.

Tanya Salzmann, county planning staff, opened the hearing and outlined procedures and the project website for the full record. Senior planning staff presented the proposed changes and said the draft replaces complex wattage‑and‑bulb‑type tables with three primary requirements for non‑exempt fixtures: downcast orientation, full shielding and no light trespass. The draft also adds definitions for downcast and string lighting, consolidates exemptions, and includes non‑regulatory guiding principles drawn from Dark Sky International and local examples such as the City of Sisters.

Dark Sky Oregon representatives and tourism operators testified in support. Bill Kowalik, chair of Dark Sky Oregon, said, “Dark Sky Oregon strongly supports the recommendations of the planning commission,” and urged the county to seek Dark Sky certification within five years. Chris Hill, also with Dark Sky Oregon,…