Project Overview

The City of Austin is developing a Citywide Lighting Plan to provide the City with a long-term strategy to enhance its lighting system in a way that helps achieve Council-adopted policy goals related to safety, security, mobility, quality of life, equity, and environmental sustainability. 

This effort includes an inventory of the City’s municipal lighting, evaluations of specific sites around Austin, updates to existing lighting standards, policy recommendations, public outreach, and an implementation and action plan for improving Austin’s street, pedestrian, park, and trail lighting.

The planning process officially kicked off in fall 2024 and is expected to be completed in winter of 2026.

Project Purpose

The improvement of street, trail, and area lighting quality provides multiple benefits to the Austin community, including:

  • Improved visibility and safety for people walking, rolling, driving or using transit
  • Enhance the visual character of the City
  • Improved sense of security throughout Austin
  • Support evening operating hours to enhance economic activity
  • Improved accessibility for the elderly or visually impaired
  • Increased safety for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists

Get Involved

In Person Open Houses:

  • Friday, June 13, 2025
    • 4-7 p.m.
    • Austin Central LIbrary Special Events Center
    • 710 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78701
  • Saturday, June 14, 2025
    • 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
    • Huston-Tillotson University Library 
    • 900 Chicon St., Austin

Public Comment Period:

  • Comment period open Monday, June 2 - Monday, Aug. 25

 

Project Schedule

We will continue to update this page with the latest information throughout the development of the project. We encourage you to visit this page regularly to stay informed about project updates and share your feedback.

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live
GIS Lighting Inventory

Nov. 24-July 25

TetraTech & EvariGIS are collecting a new inventory of Austin's outdoor lighting.

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live
Existing Conditions Assessment

Jan. 25-July 25

Clanton & Associates visited sites around the City to review the current lighting.

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live
Stakeholder Outreach Process

Feb. 25-May 25

Raising awareness of the project with an Outdoor Lighting Demo and recruiting for Advisory Committees.

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live
Public Comment Period

May 25-Aug. 25

Gathering public feedback from open houses, online survey activities, and at other tabling events.

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planned
Advisory Committees Process

June 25-June 26

Two Advisory Committees are meeting to discuss outdoor lighting and are reviewing documents and drafts.

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planned
Existing Lighting Guideline Updates

July 25-May 26

Lighting Guidelines for the City and Austin Energy are being reviewed and updates. 

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planned
New Implementation & Action Plan

Aug. 25-Aug. 26

Plan is being developed, reviewed, and then formally adopted by the City.