Troy, NY Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Billboards in the City of Troy, New York, are regulated as outdoor advertising signs, and subsection I of § 285-109 is the lighting rule. It begins by allowing illumination subject to two restrictions. First, under paragraph (1), outdoor advertising signs which contain, include or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights are prohibited. Second, under paragraph (2), signs which are not effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of the street or highway, and are of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle, are prohibited.

Three other provisions sit on top of that. The general traffic safety rule in § 285-97L(1) applies to every sign in Troy: no sign can flash, have intermittent lighting, have red, green or amber illumination, or display a moving copy or message that would cause motorist confusion. Section 285-97N requires any electrified sign or sign structure to carry a UL (Underwriters' Laboratories) listed, approved or certified label before use. And § 285-109(E)(4) requires outdoor advertising signs to be constructed in accordance with all municipal building and electrical codes, except as the chapter specifically provides.

Enforcement is concrete. Under § 285-96B, signs or property that are electrified and operating without the required electrical inspection are considered unsafe, and in unsafe or dangerous conditions the cited owner has until 5:00 p.m. of the following calendar day to satisfy the citation. The Director can order removal or repair, take over the corrective work at the owner's expense, and decline to issue permits for the property until the costs are paid. If the danger is imminent, the Director can act summarily and without notice. An owner aggrieved by a decision can appeal only to the Troy Zoning Board of Appeals under § 285-97B.

Because § 285-109(E)(8) bars any newly constructed billboard, the lighting rules matter most for outdoor advertising signs that already stand and for nonconforming signs kept or rebuilt under § 285-109(D), none of which can be lit with flashing, intermittent or moving light or with a beam aimed at the roadway.