Outdoor Lighting in Tonawanda, NY (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Tonawanda, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Commercial and multi-family lighting in the Town of Tonawanda must be fully shielded and pointed downward under the Zoning Law's dark-sky-minded design standards, which cap the light cone at 60 degrees from vertical and encourage International Dark Sky Association compliant fixtures.
Tonawanda Dark-Sky Outdoor Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 215-33.1.B, 215-33.2.A, 215-33.4.A-B
§ 215-33.1. Purpose and intent. ... B. Permit the use of exterior lighting that does not exceed the minimum levels specified in the International Dark Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America recommended practices for night-time safety, utility, security, productivity, enjoyment, and commerce. ... § 215-33.2. Applicability. A. Uses subject to regulation. These r...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Outdoor lighting on covered Tonawanda projects cannot spill more than 1.0 footcandle onto a neighboring nonresidential lot or more than 0.1 footcandle onto an adjacent residential lot, and a lighting plan must document illumination levels at every property line before approval.
Tonawanda Outdoor Light Trespass Limits
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 215-33.3.B, 215-33.4.C, E
§ 215-33.3. Lighting plan. ... B. Level of illumination at all property lines and five feet beyond based on all proposed and existing light fixtures. ... § 215-33.4. Lighting design. ... C. All lighting fixtures shall be shielded and directed so as not to cast an illumination of more than one foot-candle on adjacent nonresidential properties or more than 0.1 foot-candle on adjacent residential ...
Billboard Lighting
Billboards in the Town of Tonawanda must use constant-intensity lighting, never flashing or rotating illumination, but the Zoning Law gives billboards a unique pass on the sign code's usual digital-display cap, letting a billboard's entire face run digital technology.
Tonawanda Billboard Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 215-34.9.B, 215-34.18.B, 215-34.19.B, D-E
§ 215-34.9. Illumination. ... B. Any illuminated sign or lighting device, other than a billboard sign in conformance with this article, shall employ only lights emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain a flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights. ... § 215-34.18. Regulations by sign type. ... B. Billboard sign. ... Any sign that att...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tonawanda city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Erie County →