EXAMPLES OF LOCAL LIGHTING LAWS IN CT
(as of May 15, 2024)

 Andover – Zoning Regulations

4.21 Lighting regulations in all Zoning Districts.

4.21.1 The purpose of these Regulations is to provide specific outdoor lighting standards in order to avoid upward illumination, to reduce glare and to avoid light trespass onto adjacent properties and public streets.

4.21.2 These regulations shall apply to the installation or replacement of outdoor lighting fixtures.

4.21.3 All exterior spotlighting and floodlighting shall be so shielded that the light source cannot be seen from adjacent properties and no lighting shall constitute a hazard to drivers at night on public streets.

4.21.4 Outdoor lighting shall be dark sky compatible, full cut-off type fixtures, defined as a luminaire or light fixture that by design of the housing does not allow any light dispersion or direct glare to shine above a 90 degree horizontal plane from the base of the light fixture.

4.21.5 Lighting at the property lines shall not exceed 0.2 lumens/ square foot

4.21.6 Lighting for Flagpoles and temporary holiday decorations are exempt from section 4.21.3-5

Ashford – Zoning Regulations

Article 6C - Outdoor Lighting

Section 1. Purpose. To require and set minimum standards for outdoor lighting to:

1. Provide for and control lighting in outdoor public places for public health, safety and welfare;

2. Protect drivers and pedestrians from the glare of non-vehicular light sources;

3. Protect neighbors, the environment and the night sky from nuisance glare and light trespass from improperly selected, placed, aimed, applied, maintained or shielded light sources;

4. Encourage quality lighting design, light luminaire shielding, uniform light intensities, maximum lighting levels within and on property lines, and lighting controls;

5. Promote energy efficient lighting design and operation;

6. Protect and retain the intended visual character of the town; and

7. Provide an environmentally sensitive nighttime environment that protects significant wildlife habitat. Ashford, Connecticut - Zoning Regulations

Section 2. Applicability.

A. Outdoor lighting (For the purposes of these provisions, light sources include any refractor, reflector, bulb, tube, or globe) shall be kept to the minimum intensity needed for ground and entryway lighting. No exterior lighting shall be used in a manner which produces a bloom or a direct glare on neighboring property or adjacent street, or which produces an objectionable visual disturbance. All exterior lighting shall be shielded so that the source of light cannot be directly seen from off the property. All outdoor lighting facilities or lamps shall be shielded in such a manner that:

1. the edge of the lamp shield is below the light source;

2. direct radiation (glare) from the light source is confined within the boundaries of the property; and

3. direct radiation is prevented from escaping toward the sky.

B. The mounting height of a lighting fixture shall be defined as the vertical distance from the grade elevation directly below the fixture to the bottom of the lighting fixture. The height shall be the minimum necessary to illuminate the project area, and in no case shall exceed sixteen feet (16) for parking lot lighting.

C. Temporary seasonal decorative lighting is exempt from the requirements of this Regulation.

Section 3. Standards

A. All lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so as not to present a hazard to drivers or pedestrians by impairing their ability to safely traverse and so as not to create a nuisance by projecting or reflecting objectionable light onto a neighboring use or property.

B. Directional Lighting units such as floodlights and spotlights, when their use is specifically approved by the Commission, shall be so shielded, installed and aimed that they do not project their output onto the properties of neighboring residences, adjacent uses, past the object being illuminated, skyward or onto a public roadway or pedestrian way. Floodlights installed above grade on residential properties, except when motion-sensor actuated, shall not be aimed out more than 45º from straight down. When a floodlight creates glare as viewed from an adjacent residential property, the floodlight shall be required to be reaimed and/or fitted with a shielding device to block the view of the glare source from that property.

C. Parking facility and vehicular and pedestrian-way lighting (except for safety and security applications and all-night business operations), for commercial, industrial and institutional uses shall be automatically extinguished no later than one-half hour after the close of business or facility operation. When safety or security lighting is proposed for after-hours illumination, it shall not be in excess of twenty-five (25) percent of the number of lighting units or illumination level required or permitted for illumination during regular business hours.

D. For premises containing commercial, industrial or institutional establishments, illumination for signs, building facades and/or surrounding landscapes for decorative, advertising or aesthetic purposes is prohibited between 11:00 p.m. and dawn, or one-half hour after the close of business and dawn, whichever is later.

E. Vegetation screens shall not be employed to serve as the primary means for controlling glare. Rather, glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as cutoff lighting units, shields and baffles, and appropriate application of luminaire mounting height, wattage, aiming angle and luminaire placement.

F. Only the United States and the state flag shall be permitted to be illuminated from dusk till dawn. All other flags shall not be illuminated past 11:00 p.m.

Section 4. Nonconforming lighting; Modifications

Lighting existing at the time of the adoption of these regulations must be maintained in their existing configuration and illumination and cannot be altered, enlarged, expanded or moved. No lights may be added thereto, except as such changes may keep or bring the lights into conformance with these regulations.

Canton – Zoning Regulations

§ 470-704Outdoor lighting.

A. Purpose. These regulations are intended to provide specific standards for lighting in order to maximize the effectiveness of site lighting, to enhance public safety and welfare, to raise public awareness of energy conservation, to avoid unnecessary upward illumination, indirect lighting and illumination of adjacent properties, and to reduce glare.

B. Applicability.

(1) Except as herein provided, these regulations shall apply to any outdoor lighting fixtures installed, modified, refurbished, repaired or serviced within the Town of Canton.

(2) All businesses, and community roadways, sidewalks and Town property luminaires should be planned and installed with the idea of being a "good neighbor" by keeping unnecessary direct light from shining onto abutting lots or roadways, both public and private.

C. Standards.

(1) All exterior lights and sign illumination shall be designed, located, installed and directed in such a manner as to:

(a) Prevent direct or objectionable glare, light trespass, spill light, or obtrusive light;

(b) Be shielded (full cutoff);

(c) Employ soft, transitional light levels which are consistent from area to area;

(d) Minimize contrast between light sources, lit areas and dark surroundings; and

(e) Be confined within the target area.

(2) In all nonresidential districts and in all areas adjacent to a residential lot, no externally mounted direct light source shall be visible at the lot line at ground level or above. The illumination measured at the lot line shall be zero footcandles, excluding driveway entrances.

(3) Lighting designed to highlight flagpoles shall be low level (no more than 100-watt incandescent equivalent) and shall be targeted directly at the flag.

(4) Lighting shall include timers, dimmers and/or sensors to reduce unnecessary light level during non-business hours to a minimum level required for overnight security.

(5) The height of luminaries, except streetlights in public right-of-ways, shall be the minimum height necessary to provide adequate illumination, but shall not exceed a height of 15 feet. The height of a luminaire shall be measured from the finished grade (not the top of a supporting concrete base) to the bottom of the luminaire.

(6) Light standards within a parking lot shall be located within landscaped islands or buffer strips, and shall be set back two feet from any parking space unless wheel-stops are provided.

(7) In reviewing and approving outdoor lighting, the Commission may utilize recommendations for lighting levels as issued by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the International Dark-Sky Association, or other reference.

(8) The use of utility poles for outdoor lighting is prohibited.

(9) Any light determined by the ZEO to be obtrusive, spill light, upward lighting, light trespass, or otherwise not in compliance with these regulations shall constitute a violation.

(10) A photometric survey shall be submitted as part of any site plan that demonstrates compliance with these standards. Such photometric survey shall show both business hour and non-business hour lighting plans in accordance with § 470-712.

D. Exemptions and modifications.

(1) Temporary holiday lighting is exempt from these regulations, for a period of time to be commensurate with the holiday being celebrated, but in no event shall such lighting exceed duration of 45 days annually in the aggregate.

(2) Temporary lighting used by the Police Department, Fire Department or emergency services is exempt from these regulations.

(3) Lighting of American Flag.

(4) The Commission may, by special permit, allow lighting that does not comply with the requirements of this section provided the Commission determines, in its sole discretion, that such proposed lighting is consistent with the purpose of these regulations. The following considerations are provided as guidance:

(a) That and extraordinary need for security exists because of a history of vandalism or other objective means exists;

(b) That in traveled ways or areas, conditions hazardous to the public exists, such as steep embankments or stairs;

(c) That it would be unreasonable to require replacement of an entire lighting installation because a minor change is proposed to an existing nonconforming lighting installation;

(d) Special lighting is indicated for historic buildings;

(e) That ornamental up-lighting of sculpture, buildings or landscape features enhance the character of the area; and

(f) Such lighting is necessary for special outdoor events and playing fields.

(5) The Commission may modify the requirements of § 470-704 for a temporary use approved under these regulations.

New Haven – Zoning Ordinance

Section 60.1. - Exterior lighting.

(a) Purpose. To require useful and necessary outdoor lighting within the City that promotes energy efficiency; reduces Light Pollution, Light Trespass, Glare and other offensive light sources; protects and retains the visual character of the City and its neighborhoods; and reduces impacts to the residents' public health, safety, and welfare. The health, safety, and welfare of wildlife and the environment should be considered.

(b) Applicability. The standards herein apply to all new and renovated Exterior Lighting. Renovations include changes in light type, mounting height, location, size, brightness, and number of light sources. Renovations do not include, without limitation, routine maintenance such as changing lamp or bulb, ballast, starter, photo control, housing, lenses, and other similar components, and are permitted, provided such renovations do not result in a higher lumen output. This Section also applies to lighting for Indirectly-Illuminated Signs, as defined in Section 60.3.

(c) Lighting Plan, Defined. A Light Plan must include (a) a plan sheet identifying the location and height of all new, existing, proposed and renovated Exterior Lights (including but not limited to area, architectural, canopy, soffit, landscape, flag and Sign lights), type of fixture, type of light, and brightness (in lumens and/or footcandles, as appropriate), (b) manufacturer specifications or cut sheets for each lighting fixture, and (c) a photometric plan. A Light Plan is required as a part of any application for zoning approval (including but not limited to site plan, special permit, special exception and planned developments).

(d) Design Standards. All Exterior Lighting must be designed, located, installed, and directed in the following manner unless otherwise exempt or prohibited:

(1) In general, all exterior light sources must be directed downward. The lighting must also be, as much as physically possible, contained within the target area.

(2) Parking Lot and Security Lighting. All outdoor light fixtures within a parking lot, vehicular circulation area, or pedestrian area must be of a Full Cutoff or Fully-Shielded type.

(3) Architectural Lighting. Lighting for building facades and Indirectly Illuminated Signs is permitted subject to the following:

a. Uplighting does not exceed 900 lumens.

b. Upward aimed light is Fully-Shielded and fully-confined from projecting into the sky, eaves, roofs, or overhangs. The light must be fully confined within the vertical surface of the wall being illuminated.

(4) Unshielded Lighting. Floodlighting is discouraged, and if used, must be shown that the type of fixture proposed is not objectionable because it (a) prevents Glare for drivers and pedestrians and light above a horizontal plane, and (b) mitigates light trespass beyond the property line. Unshielded, motion activated lighting will not be triggered off the property on which the fixture is located and must go off within five minutes of activation. Unshielded lighting creating Glare or Light Trespass is required to be re-aimed and/or fitted with a shield device to block the Glare.

(5) Lighting Curfew. On all parking fields, including surface lots, parking decks and top levels of parking garages which contain a minimum of four light poles, the lighting must be reduced by at least 50 percent of full operational levels within 30 minutes after the close of business. Because certain minimum lighting levels are recommended for safety and security, parking field lighting does not need to be reduced to less than an average .2 footcandles as measured horizontally at the surface on which the light pole is mounted in accordance with Illuminating Engineer Society (IES) Standards

(6) Height. Exterior Lighting must not exceed 20 feet in height from the point on the ground directly below the fixture to the highest point on the fixture. Lighting mounted higher than 20 feet may be permitted through the site plan review process, either by Staff or the Commission, as applicable, depending on the site conditions.

(7) Maximum Light Levels at the Property Line.

a. The maximum light level at any point on the property line cannot exceed: .1 footcandles within or adjacent to a property with a residential use or .2 footcandles when adjacent to properties with other uses. Where the adjacent property is a residential use or mixed-use and the first floor is not residential, the maximum light levels at the property line cannot exceed .2 footcandles.

b. Color. Because blue light brightens the night sky more than any other color of light, lighting must have a color temperature of no more than 3000 Kelvins. Exterior Lighting that has warmer light spectrums are preferred.

c. The Staff or the Commission, as applicable, may determine that certain light fixtures are exempt from these requirements of this Section because they do not adversely affect an adjacent property owner or the night sky or because they are necessary for the functioning of the use.

(e) Exempt Lighting. The following Exterior Lighting is exempt from the provisions of this Section:

(1) Lighting required by the Federal Aviation Authority;

(2) Temporary lighting associated with an event authorized by the City of New Haven with duration of less than 15 days;

(3) Temporary traditional seasonal lighting;

(4) Temporary lighting used for emergency purposes by the New Haven Police Department or New Haven Fire Department;

(5) National, state and municipal flag lighting;

(6) Monument lighting;

(7) Sport stadium and athletic field lighting, not including tennis court, basketball court and similar court games not located in a stadium, provided stadium and athletic field lighting applications must submit a photometric plan demonstrating compliance with Maximum Light Levels at the Property Line. Scoreboards are governed by subsection 60.3(j) pertaining to Outdoor Sports Lighting;

(8) Lighting required by building code.

(f) Definitions pertaining to Exterior Lighting.

(1) EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Fixed artificial lighting to illuminate outdoor areas

(2) FULL CUTOFF or FULLY-SHIELDED: A light fixture designed to control the view of direct light, in which the light source is enclosed, and hidden from view on all sides except the light-emitting opening.

(3) GLARE: Excessive brightness that interferes with vision. Glare interferes with pedestrians' and drivers' ability to safely navigate and poses a public health and safety concern. Glare from Exterior Lighting at the time of the passage of this ordinance must come into conformance with the operational requirements for lighting under this Section.

(4) LIGHT POLLUTION: That portion of artificial lighting which is directed or cast outward or upward and does not illuminate the ground or structure for which the lighting was designed or intended but rather aims into the sky, adjoining properties, public rights-of-way, and other areas in a way that impacts others' enjoyment of their personal property, public spaces and dark sky.

(5) LIGHT TRESPASS: Light pollution affecting adjoining or nearby property.

(6) UPLIGHT or UPLIGHTING: Illumination from a light fixture aimed generally upward (including at angles upward) rather than illumination from above.

(Ord. No. 1662, 9-19-11; Ord. No. 1870, 9-3-19)

Southbury – Zoning Regulations

Section 11. - Lighting.

11.1 Purpose: The purpose of these lighting regulations is to provide specific standards that promote adequate, energy efficient, non-intrusive lighting as required for public safety while reducing and eliminating adverse effects (such as light pollution, light trespass, glare, and sky glow, consistent with the goals of the International Dark-Sky Association) from on-site illumination upon the use, value, and enjoyment of nearby properties and the community in general. These regulations seek to promote an environment free from elements that may jeopardize the health or welfare of the general public or degrade the quality of life in this town and neighboring towns.

Editor's note— Ord. of 11-9-11, § II, replaced §§ 11.1—11.3.3 in their entirety. Former §§ 11.1—11.3.3 pertained to similar information and carried no history note.

11.2 Definitions: [link]

11.3 Standards for All Districts:

11.3.1 Applicability: The standards set forth in this Section 11.3 shall apply to all new or significantly updated or modified lighting or illuminated signs, except as provided in Section 11.7 below

11.3.2 Glare: All outdoor illumination shall be provided and maintained in a manner that safeguards against glare off the property.

11.3.3 Shielding: All outdoor light fixtures with an initial output greater than or equal to one thousand four hundred (1,400) Lumens (typical output of a sixty (60) watt incandescent lamp) shall be full cutoff, and except as provided in 11.3.6 shall be installed and maintained in such a manner as to be horizontal to the ground so that the cutoff characteristics of the fixture are maintained. The goal is to minimize or eliminate visibility of the light source at the property boundary to the extent practical. All outdoor lighting light fixtures with an initial output less than one thousand four hundred (1,400) Lumens are exempt from this shielding requirement.

11.3.4 Efficiency: The preferred standard for lighting efficiency shall be not less than sixty (60) Lumens per electrical watt.

11.3.5 Unintentional Luminous Sources: Light emanating from inside a building shall comply with the requirements for light trespass at the property boundary as set forth herein for the applicable Zoning District.

11.3.6 Architectural Lighting: Illumination of buildings, flagpoles, signs, architectural, and landscape features shall conform to the following:

a. Light fixtures shall be shielded, such as by visors or baffles, to control spillage of light beyond the outside edge of the object intended to be illuminated.

b. Light fixtures shall be aimed only at the targeted architectural features and not be aimed across streets, driveways, parking spaces, or sidewalks.

c. Illumination of objects other than signs shall not result in the Luminance of the illuminated object exceeding five (5) foot-candles in a Residential District or ten (10) foot-candles in a Business District, Industrial District, PUD, or PDD. For maximum illumination of signs, see Sections 11.4.10.c. and 11.5.4.

11.3.7 Prohibited Lighting: The following types of lights are prohibited in all Districts:

a. Strips of light intended to outline or highlight a structure, whether composed of linear light tubes or a sequence of individual illumination sources except as provided in Section 11.7.

b. Light sources that oscillate or vary in intensity or color to the degree that the modulation is perceptible to the human eye.

c. Lasers.

d. Luminous tube lights.

e. Searchlights.

f. Light sources that emit color temperatures in the yellow range (< 2700K) such as sodium vapor lights or in the blue range (> 6500K).

g. Illumination of entire buildings. Building illumination shall be limited to security lighting and lighting of specific architectural features pursuant to Section 11.3.6.

h. Electronic sign boards (i.e. digital billboards), dynamic signs, and signs containing visible high intensity and high contrast lighting other than provided for in Section 10 or Section 11.6.3.

i. Commencing two (2) years from the effective date of this revised Section 11, Temporary Transitional Athletic Lighting as defined in 11.2.18.

11.4 Commercial and Industrial Standards:

11.4.1 Applicability: The standards set forth in this Section 11.4 shall apply in all Business and Manufacturing Zones, Planned Development Districts, Planned Development Units, Public Utility Districts, and Special Exception Uses in a Residential Zone. Additionally, any commercial or industrial use that is located in a Residential Zone that submits an application for a change to the site will be subject to the more stringent requirements of Sections 11.4 or 11.5. The standards defined herein shall apply to all exterior lighting as well as lighting that is located within a building or structure and which illuminates the exterior.

Exemptions: The following uses are exempt from the standards of this Section 11.4.:

a. Pre-existing, nonconforming lighting installations may be maintained unless the modifications listed below occur and are deemed substantial in the judgment of the planning commission:

i. Replacement, modification, relocation, or addition to light fixtures.

ii. Addition to or relocation of lighting poles.

iii. Change in light source intensity.

iv. Change of use of the site.

v. Replacement, modification, relocation, or addition to buildings on the site.

vi. Change in parking lot layout or on-site traffic flow.

When a substantial modification occurs, the entire outdoor lighting installation on the site shall be subject to this Section 11.4. Where modifications are proposed which the commission does not consider to be substantial, it may require or permit lighting which more nearly complies with this Section 11.4, even if such lighting does not fully comply with this section.

b. Lighting subject to Section 11.6, Outdoor Athletic Facility Standards, shall not be subject to this Section 11.4.

c. Lighting specified in Section 11.7.

11.4.2 General Standards and Guidance: The commercial and industrial lighting standards set forth herein have been developed to minimize illumination while providing safe and efficient entry onto, travel within, and exit from the site. Lighting sources shall be fully shielded and shall not impart an illumination footprint on-site nor off-site greater than the values defined herein. Lighting sources within a site shall generally consist of a uniform color, intensity, and technology.

11.4.3 Source, Footprint and Intensity: The following standards for minimum and maximum exterior illumination shall be based on the activity at each site. Foot-candles shall be measured at finished grade level. When more than one (1) activity type (as specified below) is proposed, the illumination level for each activity type shall be between the specified minimum and maximum levels.