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Oyster Bay, NY Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

General height/wattage cap
24 feet / 400 watts
Height limit abutting residential lot
14 feet maximum
Footcandle range (nonresidential)
0.5 to 3.0 average
Curfew
Off within 1 hour of closing
Neon building outlines
Prohibited
Fine range
$350 to $1,000, escalating
Enforcing agency
Dept. of Planning and Development

Summary

Oyster Bay's zoning code caps exterior lighting on multifamily and nonresidential properties at 24 feet and 400 watts, drops that ceiling to 14 feet wherever a fixture sits on a nonresidential lot abutting a residential one, and requires full shielding so the light source itself is never visible from an adjoining street or neighboring yard. Lights must go dark within an hour of closing, and neon outlining a building is banned outright.

All exterior lighting accessory to multifamily or nonresidence uses, and all exterior lighting of recreation facilities accessory to a residence use, including pole- and building-mounted area lighting and the lighting of signs, shall be of such type and location and shall have such shielding as will prevent the source of light from being visible from any adjoining streets, public areas and neighboring properties and prevent objectionable glare observable from such streets or properties. In general, the height and lighting intensity of exterior lighting fixtures shall not exceed 24 feet and/or 400 watts, respectively. The maximum height for freestanding lighting or building mounted lighting on nonresidential properties which abut a residential property shall be 14 feet. Lighting levels for nonresidential uses shall generally not exceed an average intensity of three footcandles, nor be an average of less than 0.5 footcandle at pavement level. Exterior lighting shall be extinguished within one hour of the closing of the business or nonresidence use... No neon or other such lighting outlining a building, structure or other architectural feature is permitted.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4036544; v24 updated 2023-03-07; through 03-07-2023).

Full Breakdown

3 of the Zoning Code governs exterior lighting accessory to multifamily or nonresidence uses, plus lighting of recreation facilities accessory to a residence use, including pole- and building-mounted area lighting and sign lighting. The fixture's type, location and shielding must prevent the light source from being visible from any adjoining street, public area or neighboring property, and must prevent objectionable glare observable from those streets or properties. As a general rule, height and intensity may not exceed 24 feet and 400 watts, though the site plan reviewing authority sets the actual figure case by case based on the size, nature and location of the use and its relationship to neighboring properties.

Where a nonresidential fixture, freestanding or building-mounted, abuts a residential property, the maximum height drops to 14 feet. 5 footcandle at pavement level. Exterior lighting must be extinguished within one hour after the business or nonresidence use closes, except for security illumination the reviewing agency specifically permits. No neon or similar lighting outlining a building, structure or architectural feature is allowed anywhere the section applies. This chapter governs only the unincorporated Town outside its roughly twenty incorporated villages, each of which sets its own lighting rules.

Violations & Fines

Chapter 246 is enforced by the Department of Planning and Development under § 246-14.1.2, which may inspect any site and any building at reasonable hours. Under § 246-14.7.1, a violation is punishable by a fine up to $350 and up to six months in jail for a first offense, $350 to $700 for a second offense within five years, and $700 to $1,000 for a third within five years; each week a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may also impose penalties within that range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this shielding rule apply to my house?
Section 246-7.3 covers exterior lighting accessory to multifamily and nonresidence uses, and lighting of recreation facilities accessory to a residence, so an ordinary single-family home's porch or yard light isn't the target of this specific section.
What's the maximum height and wattage for a commercial light pole?
As a general standard the height and intensity of an exterior fixture may not exceed 24 feet and 400 watts, though the site plan reviewing authority can set a different figure case by case, and the cap drops to 14 feet if the fixture abuts a residential property.
Do businesses have to turn outdoor lights off at night?
Yes. Section 246-7.3 requires exterior lighting to be extinguished within one hour of the business or nonresidence use closing, unless the reviewing agency has specifically approved keeping lights on for property protection and security.
Are neon outline lights on a storefront allowed?
No. The section flatly bars neon or similar lighting used to outline a building, structure or other architectural feature, with no case-by-case exception available.
Who enforces the lighting standard and what does a violation cost?
The Department of Planning and Development enforces it under § 246-14. Fines run from up to $350 for a first offense to $700-$1,000 for a third within five years, plus up to six months in jail, with each week of continued violation treated as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

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