Troy, NY Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Parcels in the Hoosick Street Overlay Zone District only
- Maximum light height
- Sixteen feet for parking and security lighting
- Fixture type
- Full cut-off, installed in a horizontal position
- Uplighting hours
- 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight
- Minimum light level
- 0.5 footcandles at storefronts, entryways, paths and parking
- Reviewing body
- Troy Planning Board, during site plan review
- Penalty
- Fine up to $250 or 15 days in jail, or both
Summary
In the City of Troy, New York, parcels in the Hoosick Street Overlay Zone District must use full cut-off fixtures for all parking area and security lighting, with a sixteen-foot maximum light height. Uplighting is allowed only to highlight important facade features and only from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. The Troy Planning Board reviews lighting during site plan review.
(b) All parking and security lighting shall be on a pedestrian scale with a sixteen-foot maximum light height for site illumination. The mounting height of a lighting fixture shall be defined as the vertical distance from the grade elevation of the surface being illuminated to the bottom of the lighting fixture (i.e., luminaire). (c) All parking area and security lighting will be fall cut-off type fixtures. Full cut-off fixtures must be installed in a horizontal position, as designed. ... (e) Uplighting is allowed only for highlighting important architectural features of a facade. Such uplighting shall be limited to 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Externally lit signs, display, building and aesthetic lighting must be shielded to prevent direct glare and/or light trespass in excess of 0.2 footcandle. The lighting must also be, as much as physically possible, contained to the target area.
Full Breakdown
Troy City Code § 285-66.4 creates the Hoosick Street Overlay Zone District in the City of Troy, New York, covering the Hoosick Waterfront District, the Hoosick Commerce District and the Hoosick Professional District along Hoosick Street in Rensselaer County. Its lighting standards in Subsection C(5) apply only to parcels partially or wholly inside the overlay. One stated purpose of the district is to minimize adverse environmental impacts such as water, air, light and noise pollution, and the lighting rules carry that goal out.
Subsection C(5)(b) sets a pedestrian-scale cap: parking and security lighting is limited to a sixteen-foot maximum light height for site illumination. Mounting height is measured as the vertical distance from the grade elevation of the surface being illuminated to the bottom of the luminaire. Subsection C(5)(c) requires full cut-off fixtures for parking area and security lighting, installed in a horizontal position as designed. The definitions in § 285-66.3 describe a full cutoff type fixture as a luminaire whose housing does not allow light dispersion or direct glare above a ninety-degree horizontal plane from the base of the fixture.
Uplighting is restricted by Subsection C(5)(e) to important architectural features of a facade, and it is limited to 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Externally lit signs, display, building and aesthetic lighting must be shielded against direct glare. Subsection C(5)(a) sets a floor as well as a ceiling: storefronts, entryways, walking paths and parking areas must be lit to at least 0.5 footcandles. When an outdoor lighting installation is modified, extended, expanded or added to, Subsection (h) puts the entire installation under the section, and Subsection (j) calls for underground electrical service to fixtures where practicable. Holiday lighting in November, December and January and street tree lighting all year are exempt under Subsection (l). The Planning Board reviews these items under § 285-66.4(B)(1) as part of site plan review and holds discretion over waivers of the overlay rules.
Violations & Fines
Under § 285-44, anyone who violates a provision of Chapter 285 is guilty of a violation as defined in § 10 of the New York Penal Law and faces a fine of not more than $250 or 15 days in jail, or both. Under § 285-20 the Director of Code Enforcement can start an action to restrain or abate the violation, and under § 285-21 any person can file a written complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this lighting rule cover every property in Troy, New York?
Can I light up my building facade at night in the overlay?
Are holiday lights covered by the overlay lighting rules?
What happens if I replace or add a few fixtures?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Troy
New York rules heatmap·Compare Troy to another location·View the New York outdoor lighting overview
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