Outdoor Lighting in Islip, NY

Islip maintains 126 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with outdoor lighting. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Islip falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dark Sky Rules

Islip's Exterior Lighting Standards article, adopted to protect the ability to view the night sky, requires full cutoff luminaires for fixtures rated 1,800 lumens or more and fully shielded fixtures for anything dimmer, with all luminaires directed downward and capped at 20 feet in mounting height.

Key details: Full cutoff threshold: 1,800 lumens (100W incandescent) or more. Below threshold: Fully shielded fixture required. Max mounting height: 20 feet from grade. Stated purpose: Protect/reclaim ability to view night sky. Compliance notice: 30 days to correct, § 68-691.

Under § 68-693, residential exterior lighting violations carry a fine up to $250 and/or 15 days for a first offense, up to $500 for a repeat within a year, and escalate to a misdemeanor with up to $1,000 and/or 30 days after two or more convictions within three years; nonresidential violations run higher, up to $500 first offense rising to a $3,000 misdemeanor. Noncompliant fixtures also get a 30-day written notice to correct under § 68-691 before further action.

Billboard Lighting

Islip's Conservation of Energy ordinance bars lighting up any sign, billboard or outdoor display after the close of business or 10:00 p.m., whichever is later. Town Code § 11-4 also stops moving electric signs and most outdoor-area lighting after that same cutoff.

Key details: Lighting curfew: Close of business or 10:00 p.m.. Covers: Billboards, ground/wall/roof/moving signs. Moving electric signs: Also banned after curfew, § 11-4(B). First-offense fine: Up to $250. Repeat-offense fine: Up to $500 per violation.

Illuminating a sign, billboard or other outdoor display after close of business or 10:00 p.m. violates § 11-4(A). Section 11-5 sets the penalty at up to $250 for a first violation and up to $500 for each succeeding violation, with each day a violation continues charged as a separate offense.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Islip's exterior-lighting article sets a hard numeric ceiling on light trespass: no more than 0.05 footcandle, measured horizontally on the ground or vertically five feet up, at any property line adjoining a residential parcel or public right-of-way. Between two commercial properties the cap doubles to 0.1 footcandle.

Key details: Residential lot-line cap: 0.05 footcandle, horizontal or vertical. Commercial-to-commercial cap: 0.1 footcandle. Governing section: Code § 68-687 (Art. LII). Prohibited fixtures: unshielded wall packs and floodlights. Verification: photometric grid required at site-plan review.

The Town's Planning and Development Division reviews photometric plans at site-plan and building-permit stage, and Code Enforcement can act on complaints against existing installations. Fixtures exceeding the 0.05/0.1 footcandle caps or otherwise causing glare across a lot line are nonconforming and must be brought into compliance on any repair, relocation or replacement, and can be ordered changed or removed where they cause disabling or distracting glare into a public roadway.

The Bottom Line

Islip'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 Islip is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Islip's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.