Outdoor Lighting in Allentown, PA (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Allentown's zoning performance standards require every outdoor light source, including signs, to be diffused and shielded so it does not glare into neighboring dwellings, undeveloped residential land, or the eyes of passing drivers, and bans strobe or flashing lighting outside the holiday season.
Allentown Requires Shielded, Diffused Outdoor Lighting
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-82.J(2)-(4) (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
Diffused. All light sources, including signs, must be properly diffused with a translucent or similar cover to prevent the lighting element from being directly visible from streets, public sidewalks, dwellings or adjacent lots. Five or more bare incandescent light bulbs of 40 watts or greater may not be hung along a public street or an abutting property. Shielding. All light sources, including ...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Allentown's zoning code requires every outdoor light source, including signs, to be diffused and shielded so it isn't directly visible from streets, sidewalks, dwellings or adjacent lots. The rule applies citywide to all uses and is enforced by the Zoning Officer under Chapter 660.
Allentown Bars Light Trespass onto Neighboring Lots
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance Sec. 660-82.J (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
J. Light and glare. (1) Street lighting exempted. The regulations of this subsection do not apply to street lighting that is owned, financed or maintained by the City, state or public utility. (2) Diffused. All light sources, including signs, must be properly diffused with a translucent or similar cover to prevent the lighting element from being directly visible from streets, public sidewalks, ...
Billboard Lighting
Digital billboards and other dynamic-display signs in Allentown can't run at full brightness after dark. Zoning Ordinance § 660-105.A(4) caps illumination at 5,000 nits during the day and 500 nits between dusk and dawn, and requires every dynamic display to carry a photocell that dims it automatically as ambient light falls.
Allentown Caps Digital Billboard Brightness at 5,000 Nits
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-105.A(4) (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
(4) Illumination. (a) The brightness of any dynamic display may not exceed a maximum illumination of 5,000 candelas per square meter (nits) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 500 candelas per square meter (nits) between dusk and dawn, as measured from the brightest element on the sign's face. (b) Dynamic displays must be equipped with a light detector or photocell that automati...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Allentown city rules.
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