Union, NY Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

The dark sky rule is in § 300-55.5(D) of the Town of Union Code, part of Article 55 (Outdoor Lighting Regulations) of the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Union, Village of Johnson City, and Village of Endicott. Section 300-10.4 applies it in the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City and inside both villages.

Subsection D is titled bottom-mounted or up-lighting. To comply with "dark skies" and minimize unnecessary lighting, up-lighting is allowed only for flagpoles that display federal, state and/or local government flags only, provided the illumination is directed onto the flagpole only. Every other upward-aimed fixture is excluded, including uplights on trees, facades or private banners.

Subsection C covers sign lighting. Fixtures that illuminate an outdoor sign must be mounted on the top of the sign and shielded or directed so the light illuminates the sign only. Internal illumination of a sign must be concealed behind opaque, translucent or similar glass or plastic.

Subsection B covers canopies and roof overhangs. Lights there must be recessed so the lens cover is flush with the bottom surface, and lights cannot be mounted on the sides or top of the canopy or overhang.

Shielding standards for larger properties come from § 300-55.4. Under B, exterior lighting fixtures on commercial, industrial, institutional and multifamily properties must conform to the Illuminating Engineer Society of North America (IESNA) criteria for full cutoff fixtures, and lighting levels must meet the minimum of the latest IESNA recommended levels. Where no IESNA standard exists, the Planning Board determines the level. Under A, every outdoor fixture must be shielded or contained on the property it comes from. Under C, lighting other than security lighting must be extinguished during nonoperating hours, and timers, sensors and dimmers are encouraged where practicable.

Section 300-55.7 prohibits blinking, flashing, strobe or search lights, exposed strip lighting used to illuminate building facades or signs, and any light that can be confused with a traffic control device. Exemptions include street lighting installed by the Town or Villages, Broome County Highway Department or the New York State Department of Transportation, low-voltage lighting, holiday lighting, and temporary construction and emergency lighting (§ 300-55.6). The article applies to new fixtures, expansion, alteration and replacement, not repair or maintenance (§ 300-55.2).