Outdoor Lighting in Amherst, NY (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Amherst requires every nonresidential and multifamily site light to use a cutoff fixture that hides the light source and directs the beam downward, keeping glare off the night sky and neighboring properties. Fixture height and footing height are also capped.
Amherst Cutoff Fixture Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 7-3-3(A)
A. Fixture (Luminaire). The light source shall be concealed and shall not be visible from any street right-of-way or adjacent properties. In order to direct light downward and minimize the amount of light spillage into the night sky and onto adjacent properties, all lighting fixtures shall be cutoff fixtures. Only architectural lighting may be directed upward provided that all other provisions ...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Amherst's site lighting rules cap how much light can spill onto neighboring land: no more than 0.2 footcandle at a residential property line and 0.5 footcandle at a commercial or right-of-way line, and every fixture's cone of light must stay on-site. The Commissioner of Building enforces the standard on nonresidential and multifamily projects.
Amherst Outdoor Lighting Trespass Limits
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code §§ 7-3-3D, 7-3-4D
7-3-3. Site Lighting Design Requirements. ... D. Mounting. Fixtures shall be mounted in such a manner that the cone of light is contained on-site and does not cross any property line of the site. ... 7-3-4. Illumination Level. ... D. All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the maximum illumination measured in footcandles at the property line does not exceed 0.2 on adjacent ...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Erie County →