COMAL COUNTY, Texas -- Efforts to reduce light pollution that threatens nighttime training missions at Camp Bullis have now moved beyond Bexar County.

Comal County commissioners established a dark skies zone within a 3-mile buffer zone from Camp Bullis, which means all new lighting in both commercial and residential zones will require a no-fee permit before installation.

"This is military town USA, and we want to be a part of that and we are a part of that," Precinct 2 Comal County Commissioner Jay Millikin said.

A map of the affected areas can be seen on the Comal County Engineer's Office Web site.

In the spring, Fort Sam Houston officers -- which operate Camp Bullis on the city's north side -- asked city and county leaders to help regulate lighting in the area so it won't affect nighttime training missions.

The San Antonio City Council is exploring a similar lighting ordinance surrounding the base, which would include asking residents and businesses to turn off lights at 11 p.m., and encourage people to invest in motion-detector technology and timers. Bexar County has already approved similar measures protecting the buffer zone around the military installation.

Milliken said there was little opposition to the dark skies zone.

"They moved out to this part of Comal County to kind of get away from the big-city life," he said.

One Comal County homeowner said she's happy to do her part because of the base's environmental policies.

"Keeping the lights down will help them do their work and do it right, because they have a big mission bigger than me and you," Liz Robbins said. "It's a big mission."

County officials said county engineers will enforce the new zone as they check out septic tank permits. The engineers will also look at outdoor lighting to ensure it has the proper permits.