Garden City adopts updated Dark Sky ordinance capping fixture brightness and color temperature

The Garden City Town Council adopted Ordinance #25-12 on Oct. 9, 2025, updating the town—s Dark Sky Ordinance (Chapter 11A-600) to regulate exterior lighting. The ordinance sets a 3,000 Kelvin maximum correlated color temperature for outdoor lights, limits individual fixtures to 1,800 lumens, and requires fixtures to be fully shielded and directed downward so that no light is emitted above the horizontal plane.

The ordinance states its purposes as protecting against direct glare and light trespass, promoting safe roadways for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, preserving residents— and visitors— ability to view the night sky, allowing flexibility in lighting style, and providing lighting guidelines. It also gives the Planning Commission authority to require new and replacement lighting to meet the ordinance—s standards.

Key technical provisions include: outdoor lighting limited to 3,000 K or lower; maximum of 1,800 lumens per individual exterior fixture; full shielding and downward direction so no light is emitted above 180 degrees; motion or security lights that must turn off within five minutes after the last detected motion and must not trespass onto adjacent properties; and focused, shielded flag and landscape lighting that may not trespass onto neighboring properties. Sports and recreational lighting must not exceed the horizontal plane and must be extinguished no later than 10:30 p.m., or within 30 minutes after play ends if earlier.

The ordinance requires full compliance for any property where more than 25% of exterior fixtures are replaced. It sets phased compliance deadlines: immediate compliance for new construction, remodels requiring building permits, and replacements over 25% of fixtures; commercial and public properties must comply within two years of adoption; residential properties must comply within four years of adoption; and fixtures creating significant glare or trespass must be corrected within 90 days of notice.

Exemptions listed in the ordinance include temporary emergency lighting used by police, fire or other emergency services and lighting required by federal, state or county regulations. Seasonal holiday lighting between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15 is allowed provided those lights meet the 3,000 K requirement. Enforcement is by civil penalty established by a Town Council resolution.

The ordinance text includes a severability clause and a repealer clause that rescinds conflicting town ordinances or resolutions. The ordinance was approved and adopted on Oct. 9, 2025, and the approval block bears the signatures of Mayor Mike Leonhardt and Town Clerk Cathie Rasmussen. The document does not specify motion language, mover/second, or a vote tally in the provided text; those vote details are listed as not specified in the town record provided here.