Bergenfield vs Paramus
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Bergenfield, NJ and Paramus, NJ?
Bergenfield and Paramus have similar restriction levels.
Bergenfield, NJ
Bergen County
Bergen County has no countywide dark-sky ordinance. Outdoor lighting is regulated through municipal zoning codes, with most Bergen County towns requiring shielded fixtures and limiting glare in residential and commercial site plans.
View full Bergenfield rules →Paramus, NJ
Bergen County
Paramus site plan rules require fully shielded luminaires with recessed lamps and demand that commercial lighting be reduced by half after business hours.
View full Paramus rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bergenfield | Paramus |
|---|---|---|
| County dark-sky law | None | - |
| Municipal scope | Site plan review | - |
| Common requirement | Full-cutoff fixtures | - |
| Photometric plans | Required commercially | - |
| Curfew typical | 11pm shutoff common | - |
| Shielding | - | Required on all luminaires |
| Lamp placement | - | Recessed in luminaire |
| After-hours reduction | - | At least 50% off |
| Security level | - | About 0.4 footcandles |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bergenfield FAQ
Does Bergen County require dark-sky-compliant lighting?
Not at the county level. Bergen County leaves outdoor lighting standards to its 70 municipalities, most of which require shielded fixtures and limit glare through zoning and site plan rules.
What is a full-cutoff fixture?
A fixture that emits zero light above the horizontal plane, directing all illumination downward. Most Bergen County towns require these for new commercial and many residential outdoor lights.
Are there curfews on outdoor lighting?
Many Bergen County municipalities require non-essential commercial lighting to dim or shut off after business hours, often 11pm. Specific rules vary by town and zone.
Paramus FAQ
Do Paramus rules require shielded outdoor lighting?
Yes. Site plan standards require all luminaires to be shielded so glare does not spill onto neighboring properties or public streets, and lamps must be recessed.
Must commercial parking lots dim lights overnight?
Yes. Circuits must be arranged so at least half of the alternating luminaires shut off after business hours, leaving only security-level lighting active.
Compare other topics
See how Bergenfield and Paramus compare on other ordinance categories.
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