Bergenfield, NJ Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Dark Sky standard applies
- Area D and West Church St. redevelopment areas
- Standard type
- 'Should' select ISA-certified fixtures, not mandatory
- 150 S. Washington Ave rule
- Outdoor lighting must be LED, shielded down
- Borough-wide site plans
- Fixtures must be shaded from neighboring windows
- Enforcement path
- Planning Board review, then § 186-114 penalties
- Max penalty
- $500 fine and/or 90 days jail
Summary
Bergenfield's redevelopment plans for the Area 'D' and West Church Street zones direct developers to choose new exterior fixtures certified under the International Dark Sky Association's Fixture Seal of Approval Program to cut glare, trespass and light pollution. Borough-wide, every site plan under Chapter 186 must shade fixtures so direct rays never hit neighboring windows.
Lighting. In order to minimize glare, trespass, and light pollution, all new external lighting should be selected from the international Dark Sky Association's Fixture Seal of Approval Program. ... Lighting for walks, steps, parking areas, streets and other facilities shall be provided at locations to assure the safe and convenient use of such facilities. Fixtures shall be placed and designed in keeping with the character of the development and be adequately shaded to screen the window of dwelling units and adjacent properties from the direct rays from the light fixtures.
Full Breakdown
Bergenfield addresses outdoor lighting in two places inside Chapter 186, Land Development. 2L, governing the Area 'D' Redevelopment Area (Ord. No. 3L, governing the West Church Street Redevelopment Area (Ord. No. 24-2625), both direct that new external lighting there be selected from the International Dark Sky Association's Fixture Seal of Approval Program to minimize glare, trespass and light pollution. The word 'should' makes this a design preference rather than a mandate for those two redevelopment zones. The nearby 150 South Washington Avenue Redevelopment Area, added by Ord.
No. 25-2653, goes further with a binding requirement that outdoor lighting there be LED and shielded down. Outside the redevelopment areas, § 186-59, part of the borough's general site plan design standards, applies to any development that goes through site plan review: it requires lighting for walks, steps, parking areas, streets and other facilities to be located for safe and convenient use, with fixtures placed and designed in keeping with the character of the development and adequately shaded to screen dwelling unit windows and adjacent properties from direct rays.
The Planning Board reviews compliance with § 186-59 as part of site plan approval under § 186-108, and a plan that puts unshielded fixtures facing a neighboring bedroom window can be sent back for redesign before approval is granted.
Violations & Fines
Section 186-59 is enforced as part of site plan review: the Planning Board can withhold approval under § 186-108 until fixtures are shielded to the ordinance's standard. Once a site plan is approved and built, noncompliant lighting becomes a Chapter 186 violation under § 186-114, carrying up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail per offense, with each day after a 10-day cure notice a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bergenfield require Dark Sky-certified light fixtures?
What lighting rule applies outside the redevelopment areas?
Is there a stricter shielding rule anywhere in Bergenfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bergenfield
Compare Bergenfield to another location·View the New Jersey outdoor lighting overview
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