Malibu residents and businesses will have the summer to prepare for changes in outdoor lighting, since city council just approved the final draft of its long-awaited Dark Sky Ordinance.
Originally slated for an effective date of Aug. 1, 2018, council voted to move back that date to Oct. 15 in order to allow more time for residents and businesses to come into compliance.
“We’ve waited since the dawn of time for this, I think we can wait a couple more months,” Council Member Lou La Monte argued, later adding, “This is going to be a major change.”
The effective date kicks off the countdown for various businesses and residences to come into compliance: one year for gas stations, two years for all other commercial zones and three years for private residences and “all other zones.” That means residents will have until Oct. 15, 2021, to comply with the code.
Regulations include lights for driveways, patios and sports courts; timers and motion sensors; color and intensity; and other specificities. Details of the ordinance are available at malibucity.org/705/dark-sky-ordinance.