Outdoor Lighting in Methuen, MA (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Methuen, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In the City of Methuen, Massachusetts, any luminaire rated a total of more than 2,000 lumens must be fully shielded and emit no direct light above a horizontal plane. Outdoor lighting cannot be illuminated between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., except for open businesses and low-level security lighting at 0.5 footcandle.
Methuen MA Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsMethuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 7.4(E)(1), (3) and (4)
E. Outdoor lighting. ... (1) Any luminaire with a lamp or lamps rated a total of more than 2,000 lumens shall be of fully shielded design and shall not emit any direct light above a horizontal plane passing through the lowest part of the light-emitting luminaire. ... (3) Subsection E(1) above shall not apply to any luminaire intended solely to illuminate any freestanding sign or the walls of an...
Light Trespass & Shielding
In the City of Methuen, Massachusetts, every outdoor luminaire, regardless of lumen rating, must carry whatever shielding, lenses or cutoff devices are needed to eliminate light trespass onto any street or abutting lot and to eliminate glare perceptible to persons there. The ordinance defines light trespass as direct light shining beyond the lot boundary.
Methuen MA Light Trespass and Glare Rule
Some RestrictionsMethuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 7.4(E)(2) and § 2.2 (Light Trespass)
The shining of direct light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel on which it is located. ... (2) All luminaires, regardless of lumen rating, shall be equipped with whatever additional shielding, lenses or cutoff devices are required to eliminate light trespass onto any street or abutting lot or parcel, reduce indirect light reflecting off of other surfaces not part...
Billboard Lighting
In the City of Methuen, Massachusetts, sign illumination must be arranged to prevent glare onto any public way or any lot used or zoned for residence. No sign can be lit between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless the business is open to the public, and a luminaire lighting a freestanding sign must be shielded so its direct light stays on the sign.
Methuen MA Billboard and Sign Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsMethuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 7.4
C. Illumination and motion of signs. ... (2) Prevention of glare. All illumination of signs must be so arranged as to prevent glare onto any portion of any public way or into any lot used or zoned for residence. See Subsection E of this section for regulations affecting outdoor lighting. (3) Hours of illumination. No sign shall be illuminated between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on any day exce...