Newton, MA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Direction requirement
- must shine downward, no upward glare
- No flashing
- steady, constant light only
- Exempt
- fixtures under 100 lumens
- Exempt
- fully enclosed light sources
- Exempt
- flags, architecture, holiday lighting
- Violation unit
- each fixture counted separately
Summary
Newton requires every outdoor light source to shine downward, with no direct light above a horizontal plane at the fixture's lowest light-emitting point, and to stay steady rather than flashing, under Sec. 20-24. Small fixtures under 100 lumens, fully enclosed lights, flags, architectural lighting, and seasonal holiday lights are exempt.
No person shall install or maintain a light source which emits light unless such light source conforms to each of the following requirements: (1) it shall emit a steady and constant light and shall not emit a flashing or irregular light; (2) it shall shine downward and not emit any direct light above a horizontal plane through the lowest direct-light-emitting part of such light source. ... Each installation or maintenance of a light source that does not conform to the requirements of this section shall constitute a separate violation of this section.
Full Breakdown
Sec. " Subsection (b) lists seven exemptions: fixtures rated 100 lumens or less; light sources entirely within an enclosed structure, though a structure with a transparent or translucent roof, dome, or cupola does not count as enclosed; lighting required by state or federal law; lighting for the American flag, another flag, or an architectural feature like a cupola or steeple; City- or utility-installed lighting for a public or private way; internally illuminated signs emitting light only from a vertical surface; and seasonal or holiday lighting illuminated only part of the year.
Subsection (c) makes every non-conforming installation or maintenance of a fixture a separate violation of the section, meaning a property with several unshielded floodlights faces one violation per fixture rather than a single property-wide citation. The section was adopted by Ordinance No. X-142 on March 21, 2005, and sits in Article III, Light Trespass, in Chapter 20, alongside the companion light-trespass rule in Sec. 20-25.
Violations & Fines
Each unshielded or flashing fixture is charged as its own separate violation of Sec. 20-24(c), not a single property-wide citation. General Chapter 20 penalties apply: a misdemeanor fine up to $300 under Sec. 20-13(k)'s penalty structure, or non-criminal civil disposition where authorized, with enforcement handled by the Newton Police Department or Inspectional Services Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Newton require shielded outdoor lighting?
Are small porch or landscape lights exempt from Newton's lighting rule?
What happens if a property has multiple non-compliant lights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newton
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