Stafford Township, NJ Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Chapter 144, Nuisances, Lighting, is Stafford Township's light trespass ordinance. Adopted 7-5-2005 as Ord. No. 2005-62 and amended 5-21-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-15, § 144-2 applies to artificial lighting provided on any property or by any use. Illumination cannot exceed 0.5 footcandle beyond any property line, and § 144-1 defines a footcandle as the amount of light from one candle at one foot from the source. Spotlights and other concentrated-beam lighting must be directed so the beam does not extend beyond any property line. Lights that illuminate signs or building faces cannot emit beams past the vertical plane of the sign or building face, and cannot be placed so the beams reflect onto an adjoining property, public street or vehicular circulation area. Under subsection D, no artificial lighting can shine directly upon a neighboring property, or directly on or into any room, porch or patio of a neighboring property, or be maintained as a nuisance or annoyance that interferes with the physical comfort of neighbors.

Development projects face a second layer in Chapter 130. Section 130-84B requires all exterior lighting fixtures to be designed, manufactured, installed and aimed to shield glare from reflecting onto adjacent streets, properties, residences or public areas. Section 130-84A calls for soft or glare-free lighting that is not strobic, pulsating or flashing, with a minimum intensity of five-tenths lumen per square foot. Under § 130-84D, a site plan using exterior lighting must show the direction and location of illumination, its intensity in horizontal footcandles or lumens per square foot, the hours of illumination, fixture details, mounting height and lighting isobar patterns. Parking areas used after sunset must be illuminated and shielded from adjoining streets or properties under § 130-81A(6). The sign provisions of Chapter 211 add that illuminated signs must prevent light spillage, overwash and glare, with a maximum offsite intensity of 0.5 footcandle at ground level or on a vertical plane at the property line.