Solutions and Resources

Resource Central

Connect with our valued partners, IDA Texas Chapter and Texas Night Sky Festival® for expanded solutions and resources.

Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting

A joint project of the International Dark-Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society.
Keep a copy to reference in the future.

Hays County Resources

Local resources for you

Connect first with your Hays County Friends of the Night Sky (HCFNS). Our organization offers speakers, literature, and demonstrations to educate our neighbors in Hays County about better lighting. We are a super local voice of better lighting to protect the night sky and see better. Join us. The stronger we become, the more resources we can offer our community.

Be sure to also join the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). When you join IDA with a Texas address, you automatically join the Texas Chapter. 

Examples of Good Lighting in Hays County

This park displays the outdoor lighting that has been approved for sports lighting in several cities in Hays County. All new sports lighting could have this superior visibility while limiting light trespass for neighbors. This lighting meets IDA’s Community Friendly Outdoor Sports Lighting Program approval. 

This facility in Dripping Springs, Texas meets the local Outdoor Lighting Ordinance requirement to shield lighting to eliminate glare and light trespass.  Newer ordinance requirements also reduce the amount of light in the blue spectrum which is harmful after natural darkness and which looks white to our eyes.

Hays County Outdoor Lighting Ordinances

Proclamations and Resolutions effecting Hays County

  • Hays County
  • Pedernales Electric Coop

The Texas Legislature has NOT delegated the authority to regulate outdoor lighting to Hays County. Our County Commissioners may only state support for safer, smarter outdoor lighting via proclamations and resolutions.