Newark, NJ Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Section 41:16-6-2(1) of the Revised General Ordinances requires that 'all exterior lighting fixtures, however mounted, shall be provided with shields as necessary to confine the illumination to the site upon which it is located...and to eliminate glare on any adjacent properties and to adjacent streets.' The same subsection requires nighttime illumination of 'pedestrian pathways, plazas, courtyards, building entrances, parking and driveway areas, and other outdoor spaces commonly used at night' on every site except residential and school structures, but insists that when those areas are not in active use, 'lighting shall be sufficient to allow for appropriate surveillance for crime prevention purposes' while still being 'designed and installed in such a way as to minimize glare or intrusive light onto adjoining properties.' Wiring from light poles and other freestanding fixtures must run underground under § 41:16-6-2(1)(b).

The companion design-standard section, § 41:16-6-1, layers on a professional benchmark: lighting design must 'conform to standards presented in the current edition of the Illuminating Engineering Society Lighting Handbook,' and directs that 'unnecessary lighting should be avoided, but lighting essential for security or safety should always be provided.' Both sections were adopted November 1, 2023 by Ordinance No. 6PSF-E as part of the citywide rewrite of Newark's zoning design standards, and apply to site plan and subdivision applications reviewed by the Central Planning Board.