Stamford, CT Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Chapter 155, "Lighting," was most recently amended September 2, 2025 by Ordinance No. 1318. Section 155-1 states the purpose: while adequate lighting for safety is necessary, Stamford residents have a right to an environment free from excessive light, light pollution and light trespass that could harm health, safety or welfare, degrade quality of life, or damage the natural environment. Section 155-4 lists fixtures the chapter bans outright anywhere in the city: mercury vapor and low-pressure sodium lamps; "chase lighting" and any blinking, flashing, moving, revolving, flickering or color-changing light, apart from temporary seasonal displays, public-safety lighting or air-traffic-safety lighting; fixtures that could be mistaken for a traffic control device; any upward-oriented lighting not otherwise permitted elsewhere in the chapter; searchlights, beacons and lasers; exposed neon, LED strip or fluorescent tubing used as architectural highlighting or advertising, unless the chapter separately permits it; and, apart from seasonal displays and landscape ornamental lighting, any lamp visible beyond the property line where it sits.

Beyond the outright ban, § 155-7 requires a lighting plan with any building permit application proposing exterior lighting, covering fixture locations, heights, lumen ratings, shielding and photometric calculations, though single-family homes and fixtures under 900 lumens are exempt. Section 155-8 carves out ornamental lighting under 100 lumens, seasonal displays capped at 60 consecutive or 120 total days a year, historically significant fixtures on listed properties, and temporary event lighting approved by the Director of Operations. The Chief Building Official cannot issue a Certificate of Occupancy without written certification, from the project's architect, engineer or electrical contractor, that installed lighting matches the approved plan and this chapter.