Lake of Bays has had a Dark Sky By-law since 2013. For thirteen years, though, what has kept the sky over Dorset, Baysville and Dwight dark is mostly what cottagers chose to switch off. The by-law covered new fixtures and replacements and left existing lights alone. The Township's own building and by-law director says some of the lighting concerns staff hear may not technically break the current rules. Staff are now drafting an updated by-law for the Council that holds its first meeting next month. It lands just as the nights get long enough for the difference to show.
Drawing on municipal sources, community consultation materials, and recent reporting, this article examines the current by-law, the concerns driving the review process, and what Lake of Bays waterfront property owners should know as the discussion moves forward.
Key Takeaways
- Lake of Bays is reviewing its Dark Sky By-law for the first time since its adoption in 2013.
- The current by-law primarily applies to new lighting installations and replacement fixtures, while many existing lights were grandfathered.
- Township staff report that some lighting concerns raised by residents may not technically violate the existing by-law.
- Public feedback has identified interest in issues such as fixture brightness, colour temperature, timers, motion sensors, and overnight lighting practices.
- No new regulations are currently in force, and an updated draft by-law has not yet been presented to Council.
- Waterfront property owners can voluntarily reduce light pollution by directing light downward, choosing warmer-coloured bulbs, and limiting unnecessary overnight lighting.
What the 2013 Lake of Bays Dark Sky By-law Covers
The Township describes By-law 2013-131, the By-law to Regulate Outdoor Illumination, as encouraging low-wattage, energy-efficient lighting in waterfront and rural areas for four reasons: to reduce impact on wildlife, prevent hazards to navigation, preserve the night sky and preserve privacy.
The Lake of Bays Association summarized the new rules for its members in its Fall 2013 newsletter. Here is how it read the by-law:
- The by-law covers residential lighting on buildings, structures, canopies, overhangs, docks, boathouses, recreational areas, parking lots and landscaped areas.
- New installations and replacements are to use "full cut off" fixtures that direct light downward.
- Existing lights do not have to be replaced, though owners are encouraged to upgrade them voluntarily.
- Strobe lights used to warn of open water around bubblers are prohibited.
The third point matters most. Any dock light, boathouse floodlight or porch fixture installed before 2013 could stay, and many shorelines on this lake have been lit the same way for decades. The by-law shaped what went up afterward. It did not change what was already there.
New construction carries a firmer standard. The Township's Community Planning Permit By-law requires lighting to comply with the Dark Skies By-law and be directed downward. Fixtures must sit below 9 metres and must not spill onto neighbouring properties or interfere with views of the night sky.
Why the Township Is Reviewing the By-law
Taeke Peereboom is the Township's director of building and by-law services and chief building official. He told MuskokaRegion.com this summer that violations have not been numerous since 2013, and that when they do come up, "the issue is fairly straightforward and can be resolved through a conversation and a bit of education."
In the same report he named the concerns that come up most often: glare carrying across the water, cottage lights left on overnight and general excessive brightness. Then he added the line that explains why the review exists:
"In some situations, these issues may not technically violate the current bylaw but can still have an impact on neighbours and the night sky."
On a lake, a single unshielded light on one shore reaches every property facing it. A light left burning in an empty cottage from Sunday night to Friday does the same thing all week. Peereboom said "a lot has changed when it comes to outdoor lighting" since 2013. He said staff want the by-law to reflect "the way people are actually lighting their properties today."
Council had already been asking. In February 2026, Huntsville Doppler reported that councillors Nancy Tapley and Jacqueline Goddard asked for an update on the policy. Tapley raised festive-light shutoff times, wattage, amber light in place of blue or white, timers, motion sensors, the number of fixtures and downward lighting. Council asked staff to review the policy and bring back an updated by-law.
Most of those topics are about how a light is used: when it turns off, how bright it is, what colour it gives off. That is exactly the part a fixture-focused, grandfathered by-law leaves open.
Where the Review Process Stands
The schedule moved this fall, and the draft now goes to the Council elected in October. The Township's August call for feedback said results would go to Council in Fall 2026. The project's latest update on Engage Lake of Bays, dated October 8, moves that date.
- August 13 to September 18, 2026: an online survey and staff pop-ups around the Township, including a Q&A with Peereboom at the Baysville Farmers' Market on August 28.
- Participation: 138 online survey responses and 58 conversations at community pop-ups.
- November 17, 2026: the new Council's inaugural meeting.
- Fall/Winter 2026: staff review the feedback and draft the updated by-law.
- Winter/Spring 2027: the draft goes to the new Council for consideration.
Interest showed up early. Two weeks into the survey, when it had just over 80 responses, Peereboom told MuskokaRegion.com that "more than 80 per cent of our respondents have told us dark skies are extremely important to them." He said staff were hearing support for motion sensors, timers and "using only as much light as you actually need." That was an early snapshot, not the final count of 138.
For now, nothing new is in force. The 2013 by-law still applies this winter, and the draft that replaces it has not been written in public yet.
Why Winter Brings the Issue Into Focus
Two of the most visible lights on a Lake of Bays winter night are named in the record above. The first is the bubbler warning light. Docks and boathouses kept free of ice need a way to warn people of open water, and LOBA's 2013 summary says strobe lights for that purpose are prohibited. In the same newsletter, LOBA recommended amber warning lights over red strobes because amber is friendlier to dark skies.
The second is holiday lighting. Festive-light shutoff times were on the list Councillor Tapley raised in February. Whether they make it into the draft is up to staff and the new Council. Either way, a string of lights left on all night on a quiet bay this December is the kind of situation Peereboom described as possibly legal and still noticeable.
The Township's Dark Sky By-law project page lists voluntary steps that cost little: aim fixtures down, choose fully shielded fixtures, use bulbs at 3000K or lower, use the lowest wattage that does the job, add timers or motion sensors, and light only the areas that need it. It presents these as guidance, not as clauses of the 2013 by-law. The Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation suggests much the same for cottage owners: use dock lights only when needed, avoid blue and violet light, and think about the neighbours across the water.
Nothing here is legal advice. If you are changing fixtures or planning a project, confirm what applies to your property with the Township or a qualified professional.
Dark Sky Events and Stargazing in Lake of Bays
The Township's tourism side is making the same case for dark skies. Lake of Bays partnered with Muskoka Tourism on Muskoka: Home of the Stars, a series of stargazing and astrophotography events across the region from October 16 to November 7, 2026. The Lake of Bays event falls on the series' closing night.
The details, per the Township's announcement:
- What: Astro-Photography 101 with Robin Tapley, a hands-on session on photographing the night sky with a smartphone. No specialized equipment is needed.
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 8 p.m.
- Where: Dwight Beach
- Cost: $10 per person plus fees. Tickets must be bought online.
Tapley's biography traces his interest in nature to exploring his family's property on Lake of Bays as a child. It describes him as a self-taught astronomer who designed and managed the Echo Valley Observatory project. Wyatt Sneyd, the Township's economic development officer, connected the event to the by-law conversation in the announcement: "By taking the time to look up and appreciate the night sky, we can also build greater awareness of the importance of protecting the natural darkness that makes experiences like this possible."
The same evening, the Discover Muskoka schedule lists Introduction to Photographing the Night Sky at Torrance Barrens and Stories in the Stars at Arrowhead Provincial Park.
After the series ends, Dwight Beach is still the easiest public place in the Township to look up. It is a Township beach at 1153 Dwight Beach Road with parking, washrooms and docks. Under the Township's parks by-law it is a community park with day-use hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., which on a winter evening leaves hours of full dark before closing. The Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower, 142 metres above the lake, keeps daytime hours, with a posted 5 p.m. close through October 25, so it is not a stargazing spot. For a darker trip, Discover Muskoka points to the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve in Muskoka Lakes, where the main viewing area is a smooth granite outcrop.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lake of Bays Dark Sky By-law
Does Lake of Bays have a Dark Sky By-law?
Yes. Lake of Bays adopted its Dark Sky By-law in 2013 to help reduce light pollution, protect wildlife, preserve privacy, and maintain views of the night sky. The Township is currently reviewing the by-law and considering potential updates.
Does the Dark Sky By-law apply to existing cottage lighting?
Generally, the 2013 by-law focused on new lighting installations and replacement fixtures. Many existing lights were grandfathered, which is one reason the Township is reviewing the policy.
What outdoor lighting concerns are being discussed in Lake of Bays?
The Township's review process has included discussion around excessive brightness, light spill onto neighbouring properties, overnight lighting, colour temperature, timers, motion sensors, and downward-directed lighting.
Can I install new outdoor lighting at my Lake of Bays cottage?
Property owners should always confirm current requirements with the Township before undertaking any lighting project. New installations are generally expected to comply with applicable municipal regulations, including Dark Sky lighting requirements.
How can cottage owners reduce light pollution?
Simple measures include directing light downward, using fully shielded fixtures, choosing warm-coloured bulbs, using timers or motion sensors, and only lighting areas when needed.
Why does Lake of Bays prioritize dark sky protection?
Dark skies help preserve views of the night sky, reduce impacts on wildlife, improve waterfront privacy, and contribute to the natural character that many residents and visitors value throughout the Township.
What This Means for Lake of Bays Waterfront Property Owners
While no changes to the Dark Sky By-law have been approved, the Township's review signals an ongoing interest in balancing safety, property enjoyment, neighbourly considerations, and the protection of Lake of Bays' renowned night skies. For waterfront property owners, it's another example of how municipal policies can influence the ownership experience, whether planning renovations, upgrading outdoor lighting, or preparing a property for sale.
Whether the Township ultimately introduces significant changes or minor refinements, the review highlights the continued importance residents place on preserving Lake of Bays' natural environment and dark night skies. For waterfront property owners, it serves as a reminder that local policies can influence both the ownership experience and the character of the communities they call home.
