Brookhaven, NY Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential-adjacent limit
- 0.05 footcandle
- Commercial-to-commercial limit
- 0.1 footcandle
- Measured
- at property line, ground or 5-ft height
- Governing section
- Code § 85-867A(2)
- Nonresidential 1st-offense fine
- up to $500 (§ 85-158F(2))
Summary
Brookhaven caps how much light a property can throw onto its neighbors: Code § 85-867A(2) limits illuminance at a property line adjoining a residential parcel or public right-of-way to 0.05 footcandle, horizontal or vertical, and allows up to 0.1 footcandle between adjacent commercial properties.
No luminaire shall be located or concentrated so as to produce glare or direct illumination across the boundary property line, nor shall any such light be of such intensity as to create a nuisance or detract from the use and enjoyment of adjacent property. ... The maximum illuminance at or beyond the property line that adjoins a residential parcel or public right-of-way may not exceed 0.05 footcandle horizontal on the ground or 0.05 footcandle vertical measured at a five-foot height above the ground, unless another applicable law supersedes. Maximum horizontal or vertical illuminance allowed between adjacent commercial properties is 0.1 footcandle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4966897; v79 updated 2026-05-28; through 05-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 85-867, 'Illuminance and type of lamp for all nonresidential exterior lighting,' is the operative light-trespass control inside Brookhaven's exterior lighting article, §§ 85-862 through 85-873. Subsection A(1) bars locating or aiming any luminaire so as to produce glare or direct illumination across a boundary property line, or at an intensity that creates a nuisance or detracts from a neighboring property's use and enjoyment, and points to Tables 1 and 2, kept as an attachment to the chapter, for setback, height and maximum light-output guidance.
1 footcandle, horizontal or vertical, between two adjacent commercial properties. The article's purpose section, § 85-863B(4), states that preventing light trespass 'in all areas of the Town' is one of its express goals, alongside protecting the view of the night sky and preventing glare. Illuminance readings for enforcement purposes must include contributions from every nearby fixture, not just the one being challenged: § 85-867B(3) requires that measurements for parking lots, sidewalks and walkways account for side-mounted building lights, freestanding sidewalk lights and streetlights together. Any application to a Town board, department or agency involving new or existing exterior lighting must include a footcandle grid at five-foot spacing under § 85-869A(6) so reviewers can confirm the ceilings are met before a permit issues.
Violations & Fines
Light-trespass violations fall under § 85-158F, which splits penalties by use. A residential lighting violation draws a fine up to $250 for a first offense, up to $500 for a repeat within a year, and up to $1,000 with up to 30 days for a third violation within three years, charged as a misdemeanor. A nonresidential violation draws up to $500 first, $1,000 second, and up to $3,000 with 30 days for a third, also a misdemeanor. The Chief Building Inspector can also order noncompliant fixtures brought into line under § 85-871.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can spill onto my neighbor's yard in Brookhaven?
Who measures compliance with the footcandle limit?
What happens if my floodlight is trespassing onto the street next door?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brookhaven
New York rules heatmap·Compare Brookhaven to another location·View the New York outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Light Trespass & Shielding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle light trespass & shielding.