Bethel, CT Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

8B(4) requires that, to reduce off-site glare, lighting fixtures for all parking and pedestrian areas be either full-cut-off-type fixtures or fully shielded/recessed fixtures where the lens is recessed or flush with the bottom surface. Subsection B(5) extends a similar standard to lighting used for building security, aesthetics or display purposes, requiring those fixtures to point top downward, not upward or sideways, and to be full-cut-off or fully shielded/recessed except where the Commission has approved otherwise. Sports and activity-area lighting gets its own rule under B(6): beams must fall within the primary playing area and its immediate surroundings, with no direct illumination directed off the site.

Mounting height is capped separately in B(10): the height of luminaires, except streetlights in public rights-of-way, must be the minimum height necessary to provide adequate illumination, but cannot exceed 30 feet. The Commission built in operational controls too: non-essential lighting such as display, aesthetic, parking and sign lighting must run on photocell-on/time-clock-off operation under B(8), and security lighting may use motion or infrared sensors under B(9). 8C: lighting maintained by the Town or State, traditional seasonal lighting, and temporary lighting used by police, fire or emergency services.

The Commission can also approve non-conforming lighting by Special Permit for reasons such as documented vandalism history, hazardous conditions, minor changes to existing nonconforming fixtures, or historic buildings.