Dark Sky Rules: Mount Vernon vs White Plains
How do dark sky rules rules compare between Mount Vernon, NY and White Plains, NY?
Mount Vernon and White Plains have similar restriction levels.
Mount Vernon, NY
Westchester County
Mount Vernon does not have a formal dark-sky ordinance. Outdoor fixtures must still be installed per the NY state electrical code and cannot cast unreasonable glare onto adjacent properties.
View full Mount Vernon rules →White Plains, NY
Westchester County
White Plains Zoning Code regulates outdoor lighting in commercial and mixed-use districts — fixtures must be fully shielded, directed downward, and limited in lumens at property lines. No formal dark-sky designation.
View full White Plains rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mount Vernon | White Plains |
|---|---|---|
| Dark-sky ordinance | None | - |
| Nuisance standard | Applies | - |
| Commercial | Site plan shielding | - |
| Code basis | NY electrical code | - |
| Commercial/Mixed-Use | - | Full-cutoff required |
| Residential Boundary | - | ~0.5 footcandles max |
| Site Plan Review | - | Lighting plan required |
| Dark-Sky Designation | - | None |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mount Vernon FAQ
Is there a limit on how many outdoor lights I can install?
There is no fixture or lumen cap, but lights must not cause glare or light trespass onto neighboring properties or public roads.
Does Mount Vernon have a dark-sky ordinance?
No. Mount Vernon has not adopted a dark-sky or lumen-cap law. Fixtures must follow NY electrical code and general nuisance standards.
Are shielded fixtures required for commercial lighting in Mount Vernon?
Yes. Commercial lighting is reviewed for shielding during site plan approval to prevent off-site glare onto adjacent residential properties.
White Plains FAQ
Can a business leave bright lights on all night?
Only if they comply with the zoning code's full-cutoff fixture, glare, and property-line illumination limits approved at site plan review.
Does White Plains require full-cutoff light fixtures?
Yes for commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily developments. Fixtures must be fully shielded and directed downward per the Zoning Code.
Is White Plains a designated dark-sky community?
No. White Plains has no formal dark-sky designation, but zoning caps illumination at roughly 0.5 footcandles at residential property boundaries.
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