Erie's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Erie, Pennsylvania, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Erie's Zoning Ordinance Section 206.13(b)(1) requires every outdoor light in the Industrial Park district, spotlights, floodlights, sign lighting, parking and loading-area lighting included, to be focused and aimed so it doesn't throw glare or direct illumination across the property line onto an adjoining street, residential zone, or agricultural district, unless the light is needed to mark a hazard.

Key details: Zone: IP - Industrial Park District. Rule: Lighting must be focused/directed away from lines. Covers: Signs, structures, landscaping, parking, loading areas. Exception: Lighting required to illuminate a hazard. Related rule: Lighted recreation areas shielded (Sec. 206.3(c)).

Lighting that spills glare onto an adjoining street or residential/agricultural line violates Section 206.13(b)(1) and is enforced the same way as any other zoning violation, through Section 403. The Zoning Officer sends a written enforcement notice with a compliance deadline and appeal rights to the Zoning Hearing Board; an owner who doesn't redirect or shield the fixture faces a civil judgment of up to $500 per day plus court costs.

Billboard Lighting

Erie requires every illuminated sign, including billboards regulated under the city's outdoor-advertising rules, to control glare with cutoff fixtures, shields, or baffles rather than vegetation screens, per Zoning Ordinance Section 303.14. Digital displays can only run from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (later for 24-hour businesses) and must self-dim from 5,000 nits by day to 250 nits at night.

Key details: Covers: Signs, billboards, outdoor advertising (Sec. 303 intro). Illuminated hours: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.. 24-hour business: No shutoff required. Daytime brightness cap: 5,000 nits. Nighttime brightness cap: 250 nits.

An illuminated sign or billboard that exceeds the nighttime brightness cap, runs outside its permitted hours, or relies on flashing or moving lights violates Section 303.14 and is treated as any other zoning violation under Section 403. The Zoning Officer issues an enforcement notice describing the defect with a compliance deadline, and an operator who doesn't correct it can face a civil judgment of up to $500 per day plus court costs and attorney fees.

The Bottom Line

Erie's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Erie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Erie can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.