Teton County bans unshielded exterior lights; extends winter string-light season

Teton County’s Board of County Commissioners voted March 17 to tighten the county’s exterior-lighting standards by removing an exemption that allowed some unshielded fixtures so long as they were under 600 lumens. Under the amendment, all exterior light sources must be fully shielded, meaning they cannot cast light above the horizontal plane of the fixture (with exceptions spelled out in the code for certain required/specialized lighting). The change is intended to reduce light pollution and align county rules with dark-sky goals.

In a separate, close vote the same day, commissioners also extended the county’s winter “string light” exemption window — allowing seasonal decorative lighting from Oct. 25 through Jan. 15 (previously mid‑November to early January). The update is aimed at clarifying when temporary holiday lighting is allowed while keeping limits on off-season decorative lighting.

Both amendments are scheduled to become effective July 1, 2026, giving property owners time to plan for fixture replacements and seasonal lighting compliance. For the detailed text and vote record, see the commissioners’ March 17 meeting minutes: OFFICIAL SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS — March 17, 2026 and planning staff’s background memo that previewed the string-light/unshielded-fixture changes: Joint Meeting with Planning Commission — Planning Division memo.