Planning commission backs text amendment to streamline string-lighting rules, sets midnight dimming

The Jackson Planning Commission on March 18 recommended approval of a text amendment to the town's land-development regulations governing string lights, adopting changes intended to allow expanded use in core commercial areas while keeping annual aggregate illumination at or below current levels.

Planning staff told commissioners the amendment (P25-1-39) was intended to "streamline" the code for string lights and would be enforced primarily through voluntary compliance. "Enforcement of this code will be difficult," Planning staff Andrew Bowen said, adding that the proposal counts string lights toward total site light-output limits and proposes a maximum of "0.46 lumens per square foot" in one of the draft provisions.

The amendment creates tiered rules by zone: stripped-down exemptions and cutoffs for residential properties, a Townsquare core with an expanded year-round allowance, and separate rules for other commercial areas that include midnight dimming in the applicant's and staff's drafts. Applicant and downtown stakeholders told commissioners they had worked together since February to reach a compromise that preserves the town's dark-sky goals while supporting downtown economic vitality.

"It really does come down to a math game," said Simon Singer of Wyoming Stargazing, who described using per-acre lumen caps to ensure that Townsquare could have year-round string lighting without increasing the town's total annual lumens.

Public comment raised questions about residential impacts and measurement. An online participant, Georgie, asked, "I am reading that no string lights for residential zones are allowed... Is that correct?" Staff confirmed residential exemptions in the draft are narrower than in prior practice and reiterated that the town lacks the staff capacity for active, nightly enforcement.

Commissioners debated two practical changes: aligning the residential exempted period with a recent county change (the county set Oct. 25 through Jan. 15) and altering the nightly dimming cutoff for residential properties. The commission ultimately voted to recommend approval of the text amendment as described in the staff report dated March 18, 2026, with the residential exempted period adjusted to match the county and a residential dimming/cutoff time set at 12:00 a.m. (midnight).

The commission's recommendation now goes to the Town Council for final action; staff and commissioners noted that compliance will rely heavily on clear standards, outreach and voluntary cooperation from residents and businesses.

The amendment and staff report reference LDR section 5.3.1.c.3 and the staff report dated 03/18/2026. The commission recorded no formal letters of opposition from the Chamber of Commerce at the time of the meeting.

Next steps: The council will receive the planning commission's recommendation; any final adoption would be reflected in a council ordinance before becoming effective.