diff --git a/coding/logging.rst b/coding/logging.rst
index fd19c9b3..bce9e8f2 100644
--- a/coding/logging.rst
+++ b/coding/logging.rst
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ Logging
 This page provides guidance to developers for using logging with :lmod:`lsst.log`  in the Science Pipelines code base.
 Developers are encouraged to insert log messages whenever and wherever they might be useful, with appropriate component names and levels.
 
+Whether using :lmod:`lsst.log` or any other logging mechanism, timestamps recorded in logs should use Internet `RFC 3339`_ format, which is sortable and includes the timezone.  See the discussion in `DM-1203`_ for history.
+
+.. _RFC 3339: http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3339
+.. _DM-1203: https://jira.lsstcorp.org/browse/DM-1203
+
 .. _logger-names:
 
 Logger Names