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Bergen County, NJ Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

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Key Facts

County dark-sky law: None
Municipal scope: Site plan review
Common requirement: Full-cutoff fixtures
Photometric plans: Required commercially
Curfew typical: 11pm shutoff common

City-specific rules exist: Ridgewood, Paramus, Fort Lee, and Teaneck have their own dark sky rules rules that differ from Bergen County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

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.

Full Breakdown

While Bergen County does not maintain a dark-sky overlay, individual municipalities throughout Bergen County address light pollution through site plan review and zoning ordinances. Common requirements include full-cutoff fixtures, maximum lumens per acre, prohibitions on uplighting, and curfews requiring non-essential lights off after 11pm. Towns like Ramsey, Allendale, and Upper Saddle River have detailed lighting standards in their development codes. Commercial properties typically must submit photometric plans demonstrating compliance with municipal foot-candle limits at property lines. The Bergen County Planning Board reviews larger projects for regional impact but does not impose dedicated dark-sky standards beyond those required by member municipalities.

Violations & Fines

Municipal lighting violations typically result in fines $100 to $1,000 per day plus required corrective work to bring fixtures into compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

How does Bergen County compare?

See how Bergen County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.

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Bergen County, NJ Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

Related Bergen County Ordinances

Noise Ordinances: Industrial Noise

Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise

Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Events

Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules

Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours

Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours

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