1. A quality comprehensive lighting code (like the IDA/IES Model Lighting Ordinance with the following minimum standards for permanent lighting installations):

 

•  Fully shielded or full-cutoff standard for all lighting fixtures over 1500 lumens

 

• Establish a threshold of 3000 Kelvins for the allowable correlated color temperature of all lighting fixtures 

 

• Restrictions on total amount of unshielded lighting, such as a limit on lumen per acre or total site lumens in unshielded fixtures (or equivalent wattages)

 

• A policy to address over-lighting, such as energy density caps, lumen/acre caps, or maximum illuminance specifications

 

• A provision that clearly: (1) indicated where, when, and under what circumstances new public outdoor lighting (street lighting and lighting on other public property and rights-of-way) is warranted and will be permitted, and (2) requires that adaptive controls and curfews be employed in all future installations of public outdoor lighting.

 

 

2. Community commitment to dark skies and quality lighting as shown by:

 

• City owned lighting conforming with, or committed to conforming with, the lighting code (if the latter, a published plan with a timeline for completion in no more than 5 years)

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• Municipal support of dark skies and good lighting as indicated through city publications, flyers, public service announcements, funding of lighting upgrades, etc.

 

3. Broad Support for dark skies from a wide range of community organizations such as:

 

• Chamber of Commerce

• Local electrical utility

• Local IDA Chapter

• Lighting retailers

• Home Owners Assocation

• Business Improvement Associations

• Others

 

4. Community commitment to dark skies and education as shown by at least one of the following:

 

• Planning and execution of at least two community dark sky awareness events per year. This may be organized through a local astronomy club, municipality, school, etc.

 

• Inclusion of dark sky awareness documents (IDA brochures or community-created brochures) with other community informational documents for residents and visitors

 

• Inclusion of dark sky education in community schools and curriculum 

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5. Success in light pollution control. At least one of the following conditions must be demonstrated:

 

• Examples of a minimum of ten projects built under the lighting code, demonstrating effective application of the local lighting code

• Alternative demonstration of success in light pollution control, to be discussed with IDA for compliance

 

5. A sky brightness measurement program must be maintained either by the community or by another public or private organization (university, research center, IDA chapter, astronomy club, etc.) to follow the evolution of light pollution in Bisbee.

 

6. Designation is permanent, but it is subject to regular review by IDA and possible revocation if minimum requirements are not maintained.

 

7. Periodic checks, through the submission of the annual report due October 1st, will be preformed to ensure that minimum standards and objectives of the program are being upheld and adequate progress is being made. This report is a short 1 to 2 page synopsis of the community's activities and initiatives throughout the last year.​​