Hamburg Village, NY Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Article 36 of the Village of Hamburg Zoning chapter, adopted by the Board of Trustees, regulates outdoor lighting, and § 250-36.3 sets the fixture design standards. Its stated purpose in § 250-36.1 is to hold lighting to levels consistent with International Dark Sky Association and Illuminating Engineering Society recommended practices, curtail light pollution, and reduce skyglow.

The article applies to all exterior lighting on property used for multifamily, commercial, mixed-use, industrial, public, or semipublic purposes (§ 250-36.2A). Its applicability clause does not list single-family homes. No regulated exterior lighting can be erected without first receiving approval through site plan review (§ 250-36.2B).

Under § 250-36.3, fixtures must be consistent with the Village of Hamburg Building Design Standards and must be fully shielded, pointing downward, to minimize skyglow, glare, and light trespass. The use of International Dark Sky Association compliant fixtures is required. The use of wall packs or other building-mounted high-intensity fixtures is not permitted. Pole-mounted fixtures cannot be mounted higher than 18 feet above grade. Spotlights or other artificial lighting used to illuminate signs or building faces must also meet Article 35, the sign article.

Section 250-36.4 adds intensity limits. Fixtures must be shielded and directed so they do not cast more than two footcandles on adjacent nonresidential properties or more than 0.1 footcandle on adjacent residential properties. A banking institution can exceed that level only as far as necessary to comply with Article II-AA of the New York State Banking Law, the ATM Safety Act. No lighting can have a color temperature exceeding 3,000 K. Loading areas must also meet Article 36 under § 250-33.8I.

The Code Enforcement Officer enforces the Zoning chapter through a written notice of violation and correction order.