How Pottstown Handles Outdoor Lighting: A Practical Guide
Pottstown maintains 107 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with outdoor lighting. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Pottstown falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Pottstown's land-development design standards bar exterior lighting that throws glare or light spillage onto neighboring properties. Section 512(1) of Chapter 22 requires every outdoor lighting installation reviewed with a subdivision or site plan to avoid adversely affecting motorists, pedestrians and adjacent properties, and to keep light intensities from spilling onto neighboring areas, drivers or the night sky.
Key details: Governing chapter: Chapter 22, § 512(1), 'Purpose'. Adopted: Ord. 1985, October 12, 2004. Rule: No glare/spillage onto adjacent properties or sky. Companion rule: § 512(2) requires downcast/cutoff fixtures. Related buffer rule: § 511: fence or 15-ft landscaped strip.
Chapter 22's general enforcement section, Section 900, empowers Pottstown to restrain and correct violations, recover damages, refuse to issue permits, and seek fines against violators in accordance with state law. For light-trespass problems tied to a subdivision or land-development plan, the Borough Engineer can require plan revisions before final approval, and the Borough can withhold permits or pursue Section 900's remedies if lighting is installed differently than what Council approved.
Dark Sky Rules
Pottstown requires downcast or cutoff-type fixtures on new development and subdivision projects reviewed under Chapter 22 of the Borough Code. Section 512 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance mandates that exterior lighting integrate with a building's architecture and use shielded, downward-directed fixtures for pedestrian walkways, traffic corridors and signage, curbing the upward glare that unshielded floodlights and post-top lamps throw into the night sky.
Key details: Governing chapter: Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development. Citation: § 512, Subsection 2 (Types). Fixture type required: Downcast or cutoff-type only. Applies to: New subdivision/land-development plans only. Modification path: § 600 hardship request to Council.
Section 900 of Chapter 22 gives the Borough authority to restrain and correct violations of the subdivision and land-development standards, refuse to issue permits, and seek fines against violators in accordance with state law. A plan that does not specify downcast or cutoff fixtures is corrected before final approval; if lighting installed under an approved plan does not match what Council approved, the Borough can withhold occupancy approval or pursue the enforcement tools in Section 900 until it is brought into compliance.
The Bottom Line
Pottstown'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 Pottstown is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Pottstown's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.