Moab Dark Skies

The dark skies of Moab and the surrounding region are a valuable and rare resource. To protect our dark skies and support a high quality of life for residents, the City of Moab and Grand County have updated outdoor lighting standards for residences and businesses in order to encourage responsible lighting that protects our health and safety, and brings the beauty of night skies closer to home and accessible to visitors. 

The lighting code was researched and rewritten to encourage lighting practices that will minimize light pollution, glare, light overflow, and sky glow in Moab and the region without compromising your safety and the safety of others.

Residents and businesses have 5 years from the adoption of these standards to come into compliance. The Lighting Ordinance (Ord 588) in Grand County was adopted on April 2, 2019, and can be found below and in Section 6.6 of the Grand County Land Use Code. The standards will take effect on April 2, 2024.

The Dark Skies Working Group collaborates between Moab City, Grand County, Friends of Arches, and Canyonlands Parks, and interested citizens who have dedicated their time and expertise to preserving our high-quality night skies. 

We are pleased to offer a Lighting Assistance program, providing code-compliant lighting fixtures at low to no cost for those who need them. Please fill out the application to the left and send it to Joette Langianese to apply.

The Dark Skies Working Group would like to recognize businesses that comply with the guidelines with a window sticker and feature on our website (here) and in the Moab Happenings. For more information, see the Friends of the Milky Way flyer to the left. 

If you have any questions, please contact your City or County representative or the Friends of Canyonlands. We will be happy to answer any questions you have on what Moab is doing to keep our night skies protected and how you can help.

Grand County Lighting Ordinance

  1. 588 Lighting Ordinance

Lighting Ordinance Trifold Brochure

  1. Dark Skies Brochure Front and Back
  2. Dark Skies Brochure Main Content

Friend of the Milky Way Business Program

  1. Friends of the Milky Way Business Flyer

Outdoor Lighting Financial Assistance

  1. Outdoor Lighting Application

For more local information on Dark Skies, please go to:My Post (12) Opens in new window

For more information on Dark Skies, please see the International Dark Sky Association.