Lakewood's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Lakewood, New Jersey, there are 3 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.

Billboard Lighting

Lakewood Township caps digital billboard brightness at 0.2 foot-candles above ambient light measured within 150 feet of the sign, and requires an automatic photocell that dims the display and freezes it to a static message on malfunction, under UDO § 18-1019.

Key details: Brightness ceiling: 0.2 foot-candles over ambient. Measurement distance: Within 150 feet of the sign. Measurement timing: 30+ minutes after sunset. Required hardware: Automatic photocell/dimmer. Malfunction default: Freezes to static message.

A digital billboard that exceeds the 0.2 foot-candle brightness ceiling, lacks a working automatic photocell/dimming mechanism, or interferes with a traffic control device is out of compliance with § 18-1019J and L; the Township can require an on-site brightness measurement using the code's own before/after protocol at any reasonable time and can pursue enforcement or permit revocation if the operator's certified preset level is not maintained.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Residential exterior lighting in Lakewood Township cannot push more than half a footcandle onto a neighbor's property line under UDO § 18-804.06D1. Where a commercial parking lot sits next to a residential zone, the buffer-and-lighting plan has to keep spillover onto the residential area under 0.2 footcandle, per § 18-804.02B4.

Key details: Residential light trespass cap: 0.5 footcandle at property line. Commercial-to-residential buffer cap: 0.2 footcandle, § 18-804.02B4. Dusk-to-dawn fixtures: Must be shielded to meet 0.5 fc cap. Floodlights: Downward-aimed, recessed lamp required. Enforcing office: Lakewood Township Zoning Officer.

Exceeding the 0.5 footcandle residential property-line limit or the 0.2 footcandle commercial-to-residential buffer limit is a violation of the Unified Development Ordinance, punishable under § 18-1109A by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with the Township also able to seek a court order under § 18-1109B to correct the fixture or aiming.

Dark Sky Rules

Lakewood Township's lighting article bans 'sky glow' outright and pushes every commercial and parking-lot lighting plan toward sharp cutoff fixtures under UDO § 18-804.02B. The purpose clause in § 18-804A ties the whole article to avoiding needless light pollution, and site plan applicants must submit photometric data before the Board signs off.

Key details: Sky glow: Declared impermissible in parking lot lighting design. Recommended fixture: Sharp cutoff luminaires, § 18-804.02B1. Discouraged fixture: Spherical globe lights, § 18-804.04F. Site plan submission: Full lighting plan with photometrics, § 18-804D. Enforcing office: Lakewood Township Zoning Officer and Board.

A lighting installation approved without meeting the sharp-cutoff and anti-glare shielding standards, or built to deviate from an approved lighting plan, is a violation of the Unified Development Ordinance. Section 18-1109A sets the penalty at a fine up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with the Township also able to seek an injunction under § 18-1109B to correct a nonconforming installation.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood'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 Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Lakewood 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.