INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY COMMUNITIES

~ a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of quality lighting codes, dark sky education, and citizen support of dark skies.

An International Dark Sky Community excels in its efforts to achieve a community-wide lighting code, promote responsible lighting, dark sky stewardship, and exist as an example to surrounding communities on the possibilities available with the proper lighting. Each community shown below has gone above and beyond the requirements as stated in our International Dark Sky Community Guidelines.

The IDSC was conceived in 2001 to recognize communities that had taken extraordinary steps in preserving the natural night.

The IDSC designees must adhere to stringent standards that protect the natural night sky through outdoor lighting plans and ensure the continuation of this protection through planning and zoning directives.

The International Dark-Sky Association continues to accept applications from communities wishing to join in the ranks of communities working for towards the highest standards in lighting.

If you are interested in applying or learning more about the process please fill out this form.

Download the Guidelines

Download the IDA Model Lighting Ordinance

Release of Updates to IDSPlaces Guidelines

Updated guidelines for communities, parks, and reserves have been released. Please refer to these new guidelines when applying for designation.

If you are interested in developing or are currently developing an application for a location we encourage you to consider these new guidelines. Locations that are currently developing applications, and have made substantial progress (as approved by the IDA program manager) will have until 25 November 2013 to complete and submit their applications under the previous guidelines. The previous guidelines have been removed from the website but are available upon request. To submit under the previous guidelines you must have contact with the program manager and receive approval.

As part of the new guidelines bi-monthly submission deadlines will be set. These dates will be updated yearly. The deadlines represent the date that the applications (already reviewed and approved by the IDA program manager) will be sent to the committee. This year's dates are listed below:

Submission Deadline Dates:

For Certified IDSPlaces

Download the Borrego Springs, CA example annual report for Communities

Certified International Dark Sky Communities

Homer Glen, Illinois Established: 2011 Application Homer Glen Lighting Ordinance Statewide Resolution to Control Outdoor Lighting
Village 'founding father' Debra Briggs poses with one of 184 drop lens streetlights replaced under the Homer Glen lighting ordinance.	IDA Press Release Visit the Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting website
Isle of Sark, Channel Islands   Established: 2011 Application Master Lighting Plan
Photo Credit: Sark, by Peter Capper, used under Creative Commons license
Borrego Springs, California Established: 2009 Application 2011 -2012 Annual Report
Photo Credit: Dennis Mammana	Photo Credit: Dennis Mammana
Flagstaff, Arizona Established: 2001
Canopy lighting in Flagstaff, Arizona USA The World's first IDSC Courtesy of Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition	A Protected Night Sky Over Flagstaff Astronomy Picture of the Day: 2008 April 16 Credit and Copyright: Dan & Cindy Duriscoe,  Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, Lowell Observatory, & USNO