Outdoor Lighting in Elizabeth, NJ (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Elizabeth, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Elizabeth's design standards chapter requires every outdoor light source, not just billboards, to be shielded so no fixture is visible at a property line four feet above grade, and arranged to reflect light away from neighboring lots, a citywide shielding baseline enforced through site plan review under § 17.32.070.
Elizabeth Outdoor Lighting Shielding Standard
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 17.32.070(B)
B.Location of Sources.1.Sources of illumination shall be shielded so as not to be visible at property lines at an elevation of four feet and above.2.Lighting shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Elizabeth's design standards ordinance caps how much light can spill onto a neighboring lot: maximum illumination at any property line, at ground level and above, cannot exceed one footcandle, a numeric trespass ceiling set alongside the city's shielding and glare-reflection duties in § 17.32.070.
Elizabeth One-Footcandle Property Line Lighting Cap
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 17.32.070(A)(4)
A.Illumination Levels at Ground Level.1.Minimum average design illumination levels shall be:...2.Minimum illumination at a point shall be not less than one-third of the above minimum design levels.3.Maximum average design illumination levels shall not be greater than four times the above minimum design levels.4.Maximum illumination at property lines on ground level and above shall not exceed on...
Billboard Lighting
Elizabeth permits billboards only as a conditional use near state or federal highways or rail lines, under Schedule III(O) of the zoning code. The planning board must approve a billboard siting plan that keeps illumination and structure design from degrading residential areas, scenic vistas and traffic-sign visibility, with specific design limits on size, height and illumination.
Elizabeth Billboard Siting and Lighting Design Limits
Significant RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 17.36.070, Schedule III(O)(1)-(2)(f)
O.Billboards. Signs for off-premises advertising (billboards) shall be permitted provided the following conditions are met and maintained:1.Billboards shall be permitted in any district when located on or within three hundred (300) feet of state or federal highway routes or passenger rail facilities.2.Billboards shall be permitted in accordance with a billboard siting plan conforming with the f...
Looking for Union County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Elizabeth city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Union County →