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💡 Outdoor Lighting/Light Trespass

Englewood vs Fort Lee

How do light trespass rules compare between Englewood, NJ and Fort Lee, NJ?

Fort Lee has fewer restrictions than Englewood.

Englewood, NJ

Bergen County

Some Restrictions

Englewood caps outdoor light pole heights at 18 feet and limits spillover onto adjacent properties to 0.2 footcandle.

View full Englewood rules →

Fort Lee, NJ

Bergen County

Few Restrictions

Fort Lee's lighting regulations limit light trespass onto neighboring residential properties, requiring shielding and aim adjustments when complaints document glare or excessive illumination at the shared property line.

View full Fort Lee rules →

Key Facts Comparison

FactEnglewoodFort Lee
Max fixture height18 feet-
Property-line max0.2 footcandle-
Mural curfew10pm-5am residential-
Residential sign150 watts max-
Property-line limit-Low foot-candles
Shielding-Mandatory if trespass
Complaints-Zoning officer
Floodlights-Must aim down

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Englewood FAQ

How tall can outdoor lighting poles be in Englewood?

The maximum fixture height under Englewood's zoning is 18 feet, applying to commercial and parking-area lighting in regulated districts.

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

Illumination on adjacent properties is capped at 0.2 footcandle measured at the property line, the local light-trespass limit.

Are illuminated murals restricted in residential zones?

Yes. Murals or public art in residential zones cannot be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., and may not exceed 3 footcandles above ambient at the nearest residential property line.

Fort Lee FAQ

My neighbor's floodlight shines into my bedroom. What can I do?

First request that they redirect or shield the fixture. If they refuse, file a complaint with the Fort Lee zoning or code enforcement office, which can order corrective action under nuisance and lighting standards.

Is there a specific brightness limit at the property line?

For new commercial and multifamily projects, site plan approvals typically cap illumination at 0.1 to 0.5 foot-candles at residential property lines. Existing residential fixtures are judged by nuisance principles.

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