Astrolab du parc national du Mont-Mégantic
Light pollution

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Regulations
     
Here is a summary of the regulations that are now in force in the Haut St. Francois and Granit MRCs as well as the City of Sherbrooke.  For full details, please consult the appropriate by-laws for your municipality, in French only. For English details, consult the Technical and Regulatory Guide below.


1. Norms regarding bulbs
Sky glow above cities is mainly caused by bulbs that emit white light.  That is why it is recommended to reduce the use of these types of bulbs and to utilize low-power bulbs whenever possible.
 


2. Norms regarding luminaires

Only luminaires that emit less than 1% of luminous  flux above the horizon may be utilized.  Examples of  approved luminaires include those:

 
having a flat lens and a shield that completely shades the upper surface of the bulb;
 
 
 

classified as full cutoff (FCO) by IESNA;

 
 
 
installed under balconies, eaves, etc
 
 
The use of floodlights inclined to less than 15o below the horizon is prohibited, unless fitted with shields that prevent luminous flux from reaching the sky.


3. Norms regarding illuminance
The table below indicates recommended illuminance levels for the main types of exterior lighting applications.
 

1  No road should be lighted  outside city limits, except at intersections.



Landlords of buildings with fewer than four dwellings in the Haut St. François and Granit MRCs are not permitted to illuminate their properties with more than 15,000 lumens. The section entitled Choosing the right lighting components explains the relationship between luminous flux and input power for various types of bulbs.

Finally, the table above shows some illuminance equivalents in lumens per square meter. These rough equivalents are calculated by dividing the total luminous flux of all the bulbs by the surface area to be illuminated, but can only be utilized for small, restricted areas.

 
     
Equivalences in lm/ m2 can only be utilized for applications where small areas are illuminated, as illustrated in the point-by-point layouts above.


     
4. Norms regarding hours of operation
Non-residential lighting should be extinguished after 10 p.m. (Haut St. François and Granit MRCs) or 11 p.m. (City of Sherbrooke) or when not in use.  Security lighting systems can remain lighted all night.  This includes public areas, building entrances and storage zones.
 
To obtain a certificate of authorization

Any installation of exterior lighting components that emit a total of 15,000 lm or containing a light source of over 4,000 lm requires an application for a certificate of authorization.

 
Exemptions and minor deviations

In certain situations, it may not be necessary to respect the regulations. However, we strongly encourage efforts to conform. For pre-existing cases, it is possible to benefit from a grandfather clause. Click here for more details.