Dark Sky | Township of Muskoka Lakes

Protecting the Night Sky

When was the last time you remember seeing a starry night sky? This phenomenon seems to have diminished over the years due to the use of artificial illumination. While this may seem minor in nature, if everyone does their part and ensures that responsible lighting practices are used at their properties, everyone will be able to experience the beauty of a starry night sky.

Why does it matter?

Artificial light affects more than just our view of the stars:

Wildlife disruption: Nocturnal animals rely on darkness, and light pollution disturbs their natural behaviours.
Insect decline: Many insects are fatally attracted to light. Their loss affects species that rely on them for food or pollination.
Human health: We’ve evolved with natural light cycles. Bright nights can interfere with sleep and well-being.

Five Ways You Can Help to Contribute to Darker Skies in Muskoka Lakes:

Only Keep Lights on When Absolutely Necessary

If you are not at your property and have no intention of arriving after dark, keep all of your lights off. This goes for indoor lights as well, if they are not in use or serve no purpose, turn them off. One idea for keeping lights on when necessary would be to use motion sensors, timers and “smart lights”.

Ensure All Light Fixtures Have a Clear Purpose

When installing a light fixture, ask yourself, why am I putting a light fixture in this location? How does this impact the environment and wildlife? Will this light fixture impact my neighbours?

Only Direct Light Where it is Intended To Go

Full-cut-off-fixtures are required in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. If directing light, ensure that it is illuminating a walking path or patio area and does not shine outwards, only down towards the ground.

Only Use Necessary Brightness for Each Light

Use natural light from the moon to your advantage, if lights are on after dark, install dimmers so that the brightness can be reduced to only what is required.

Always Use 'Warmer' Coloured Bulbs

Outdoor lights should be no more than 2700 kelvins. A good way to think of this would be that you are trying to imitate the colour of a flame from a candle.

The Dark Sky By-law

The Dark Sky By-Law helps reduce light pollution and protect our natural night environment. It requires outdoor lighting to use Full Cut Off Fixtures, meaning lights must point downward and not shine into the sky. Read the full Dark Sky By-Law

Compliance & Enforcement

By-law Officers may issue orders requiring you to:

Remove or update non-compliant lights
Install timers to turn lights off overnight
Show proof your fixtures are compliant or grandfathered
Submit a lighting plan from a qualified professional

Need Help?

We're committed to education and support. If you have questions about your lights or the by-law, contact the By-law Department anytime.

Provisions of the Dark Sky By-law

Prohibited Lighting

The following are not permitted:

Outdoor lights that are not Full Cut Off Fixtures.
Lighting that causes:

Light pollution
Light trespass

Laser lights, strobe lights, or stroboscopic lamps
Architectural and landscape lighting left on between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise, on properties zoned Community Residential (R4), Waterfront Residential (WR), or Waterbody Open Space (WOS) except:

Dock (maximum 10 lumens) and pathway lighting (20 lumens, no higher than 3 feet off the ground)
Up to three lights on a boathouse
Necessary lights for traversing the property (up to 1 hour)

Exemptions

Festive Lighting

Bulbs must be 10 Watts or less, or 70 Lumens or less.
Must be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
Laser festive lights must shine only on the building where they are installed.

Bubbler Lights

Must be solid blue.
Must not flash or be intermittent.
Must use low wattage bulbs:

LED: max 10 Watts
Fluorescent: max 13 Watts
Incandescent: max 60 Watts

Other Exemptions

- Grandfathered fixtures installed before April 17, 2014 (with conditions)
- Fossil fuel lighting (gas lamps, kerosene lanterns)
- Light from campfires or outdoor fireplaces
- Lights on vehicles or vessels

Grandfathered Lighting – Compliance required by June 1, 2027

Lights installed before April 17, 2014 may be exempt if proof is provided.
Must be brought into compliance if:

They pose a public safety concern.
A building permit is issued for the property.
The property is in a Community Residential (R4), Waterfront Residential (WR), or Waterbody Open Space (WOS) zones — in which case compliance is required by June 1, 2027.

Sport Court & Recreational Area Lighting

Permitted only if:
• Lights are Full Cut Off Fixtures
• Lights are turned off when not in use
• Fixture height is max 8 metres
• Brightness is max 250 Lux

Key Terms

Full-Cut-Off-Fixture

A full-cut-off-fixture means that by design of the housing or lamp, does not allow any light dispersion or direct glare to shine above a horizontal plane from the base of the fixture where light is emitted and must be installed in a horizontal position as designed. These Fixtures produce no Glare or Light Pollution due to the exposure of the Lamp light source because the source is recessed or shielded.

Grandfathered Luminaire

A Grandfathered Luminaire is an Outdoor Luminaire not conforming to this By-law that was Installed prior to the passing date of By-law 2014-029 (April 17th, 2014). All Grandfathered Luminaires within the Community Residential (R4), Waterfront Residential and Waterbody Open Space zones shall be brought into compliance with all provisions of this By-law by June 1st, 2027.

Light Pollution

Light pollution is caused by the shining of light upwards into the sky above the horizontal plane of the light Fixture caused by any of the following: Light Trespass, Glare, Direct Light, Reflected Light, or light from Fixtures that are not a Full Cut Off Fixture.

Light Trespass

Light Trespass means the shining of light produced by an Outdoor Luminaire that shines beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located which shall include Reflected Light.

Outdoor Luminaire

An Outdoor Luminaire is an outdoor illuminating device, outdoor lighting, reflective surface, Lamp or similar device, permanently Installed or portable, used for illumination, decoration or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but not limited to, lights used for:

(a) Architectural Lighting;

(b) Recreational Areas;

(c) Parking Lot Lighting;

(d) Landscape Lighting;

(e) Signs (Advertising or Other);

(f) Street Lighting;

(g) Product Display Area Lighting; and/or

(h) Security Lighting.