Park City’s holiday lights are back, with dark sky rules in place

PARK CITY, Utah — The holiday lighting season has arrived in Park City, with residents and businesses plugging in merry and bright seasonal displays.

Under the city’s outdoor lighting code, seasonal lighting is allowed from Nov. 1 through March 1, provided lights do not spill unnecessarily onto neighboring properties or interfere with others’ reasonable use and enjoyment of their property.

Residential displays must be turned off by 11 p.m., according to Park City’s outdoor lighting code.

The seasonal exception is part of the city’s broader dark-sky regulations, which aim to preserve views of the night sky.

Dark sky rules in Summit County

Residents outside Park City limits are subject to Summit County’s outdoor lighting regulations, which have different seasonal dates depending on location.

In unincorporated Summit County, seasonal lights are generally permitted from Nov. 15 through March 1, provided they do not create dangerous glare on nearby properties.

Residents are encouraged to turn off seasonal lights by 11 p.m. and close blinds by 10 p.m. to help reduce impacts on migratory birds.

Multiple reports of wildlife becoming entangled in outdoor decorations have already surfaced this year during the Halloween decorating season. Get tips on how to reduce decoration impacts on wildlife.