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💡 Outdoor Lighting/Light Trespass

Bergenfield vs Paramus

How do light trespass rules compare between Bergenfield, NJ and Paramus, NJ?

Bergenfield and Paramus have similar restriction levels.

Bergenfield, NJ

Bergen County

Some Restrictions

Bergenfield site plan rules forbid lighting that produces glare at lot lines and cap commercial light fixture height at 18 feet.

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Paramus, NJ

Bergen County

Some Restrictions

Paramus caps light trespass onto adjacent properties at 0.2 footcandle for general site lighting and 0.1 footcandle for sign illumination.

View full Paramus rules →

Key Facts Comparison

FactBergenfieldParamus
Max Pole Height18 feet commercial-
Glare at Lot LineProhibited-
Headlight GlareMust be minimized-
Reviewed ByPlanning Board-
Site lighting cap-0.2 footcandle at property
Sign lighting cap-Under 0.1 footcandle
Measurement point-Any point on adjacent lot
Code chapter-Chapter 371 (Site Plan)

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Bergenfield FAQ

How tall can a parking lot light pole be in Bergenfield?

On commercial, industrial, or public facilities, the height of any light source may not exceed 18 feet under the borough's site plan design standards. Taller poles require a variance.

Does Bergenfield protect neighbors from light spilling across property lines?

Yes. The site plan code requires that lighting of buildings, property, and signs not produce glare at the exterior lot lines, and parking layouts must be arranged to minimize headlight glare on adjacent properties.

Paramus FAQ

How much light can spill onto a neighbor's property?

No more than 0.2 footcandle at any point on the adjacent property for general site lighting, with shielding required to keep glare from leaving the site.

Are illuminated business signs treated the same way?

No. Sign lighting in Paramus must produce less than 0.1 footcandle at any property line, a stricter limit than the 0.2 footcandle rule for general site lighting.

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