All new and replaced outdoor fixtures will be required to have a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin or less and be fully shielded, according to city documents.

Electronic billboards may not exceed a maximum illumination of 300 nits during nighttime hours and 5,000 nits during daylight hours, the city added. 

These new policies cannot be enforced retroactively on existing outdoor lighting fixtures, according to council intern Britton Johnson, who presented the item during Tuesday’s meeting. Exceptions are also made for holiday lights, emergency and construction lighting, temporary event lighting and outdoor sports facilities. 

Johnson said the aim of the new proposal is to reduce light pollution in Provo. 

“It’s basically about using the right kind of light and controlling it to be only where we want to see it, which is not in the sky,” he said. 

The code amendment received unanimous approval from the city council.

Council members Beckky Bogdin and Rachel Whipple both said they’ve used blackout curtains to shield bright lights shining into their house at night. Councilman Jeff Whitlock said the changes could improve the quality of life in Provo by allowing residents to see the night sky.

 “Provo is blessed by nature, and I think the more things we can do to show that we cherish that, I think the better,” he said. 

Also as part of the code amendment, a 10 p.m. curfewed was placed on holiday lights, which Katrice Mackay said would be enforced on a complaint basis.

Johnson added that the discussion around holiday lights may return to the council to determine what the definition of “holiday lights” actually means and establish the rules on permanent outdoor LED lights that can change colors.