Better visibility, security and energy conservation at home.
Enhanced night sky views.

Electrical lighting is part of city life. Excessive lighting, however, can lead to a number of negative effects.

Energy 
More light is produced per capita in Quebec than anywhere in the world. Better use of light could save millions of dollars per year and reduce our carbon footprint. 

Light trespass and health 
Bright light that spills onto other property is a public nuisance and a waste. In addition, exposure to excessive light at night disturbs sleep patterns and natural cycles in people, in animals and birds, affecting behaviour and overall health. The overuse of light is an under-rated cause of bird deaths 

Safety 
Too much outdoor illumination creates harsh contrasts between dark and light zones, resulting in glare and shadows. Evenly-spaced light sources that provide a uniform, low level of illumination are proven to be more effective in deterring intruders and making public spaces safer. 

Sky glow 
Among the most significant negative consequences of light pollution, sky glow is not just a problem for astronomers; it also prevents city dwellers from enjoying a beautiful night sky and nocturnal landscapes. Light pollution has increased so rapidly in the last few decades that it is now necessary to travel hundreds of kilometres from the city just to see the Milky Way clearly.

Reduce or prevent light pollution while enhancing the built and natural heritage of Westmount 

Use these guidelines to ensure the right lighting for you and your neighbourhood: 
     • direct all light downwards 
     • use fixtures that have top and side light cut-offs 
     • light only where and when needed 
     • avoid using too many lamps 
     • avoid using high-intensity lamps 
     • use energy-efficient sources. 

Choose light fixtures, bulbs and controls to suit your security needs; use timers, dimmers, sensors and/or photocell controllers to turn off exterior light during daytime or when light is not needed. 

Guidelines for renovating and building
In Westmount, light that washes across a building's facade is prohibited. Consult the City’s Landscape Design Guideline, section 6.8.2 for more details (available from the Westmount Urban Planning Department or by clicking here). 

Lighting in streets and lanes 
The City of Westmount is doing its part to reduce light pollution with a project to replace existing Washington street lamps, which send about one-third of their light into the sky, with a different fixture that allows only 2% of its light to shine above the horizon. 

By reducing light pollution we:
     • restore the dark sky so it may be enjoyed again from the city’s lookout and elsewhere
     • improve the aesthetic quality of our streets 
     • sleep better at night and save energy
     • reduce disturbances to bird migration 
     • help protect Westmount’s Summit Woods, a bird sanctuary and part of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.