The Whys and Wherefores of Dark Skies on Sanibel

There are so many small nuances to what makes a place special.

The sounds, the sights, the smells all contribute to the unique character of amazing places across the globe.

And the skies.

Yes, the skies, on Sanibel are so dark, so velvety, so unreflective of light below that every star shines brightly as the moon looks almost within grasp.  This not only a great attraction for hobbyists in astronomy, but for we folks who find the darkness romantic.

Now, of course we realize that these same skies lit by stars and moon light are the very same ones all of us look up to.

So why does this celestial carpet have such a glowing appearance?

It's all about the dark skies law on the Island which is going on its 15 year anniversary. The reasons that the Committee of the Islands supported the ordinance were the  obvious benefits to the environment and wildlife, not just nesting turtles but so many creatures that crawl, walk and fly throughout the Island.

By January 1, 2015, all outdoor lighting on Sanibel must comply with the Dark Skies rule.

What does this mean?   Most importantly, it means that uplighting is prohibited. All outdoor lighting, including display, sign, building, parking lot, and aesthetic lighting, must use fixtures which shine light downward.  This will be the rule for all of the Island.

The code also prohibits mercury vapor lighting, but encourages high-pressure sodium lighting for parking lots.

Furthermore, the code states, "Street lighting is, in general, inconsistent with Sanibel's rural character. No street lights shall be installed or maintained on private streets, roads, and rights-of-way."

For residential areas, the code encourages motion-detecting security lighting to "maximize safety, minimize overall illumination, and conserve energy."

The few exemptions to the dark skies law are for items such as emergency lighting needed by the police and fire department, and for the Sanibel Lighthouse, of course.

During the past 13 years, as development permits were issued, lighting on the affected properties had to be changed. Also, as existing lights were replaced, they should have been replaced with compliant fixtures. Many environmentally aware property owners voluntarily complied with the new rule since 2000.

While this may all seem like a technicality to our rental guests, it really is a critical component of what Sanibel is.