Edison, NJ Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Shielded fixtures required for
- Security, walkway, roadway, parking lighting
- Exempt
- One- and two-family dwellings
- Cutoff angle
- 90 degrees above nadir
- Enforced by
- Township Zoning Officer
Summary
Edison Township requires shielded light fixtures for all outdoor security lighting and for lighting that illuminates walkways, roadways and parking lots, cutting unshielded glare from commercial and multi-family properties.
All outdoor light fixtures installed and thereafter maintained other than those serving one- and two-family dwellings, shall comply with the requirements as specified below:
1. Where used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways, roadways and parking lots, only shielded light fixtures shall be used.
2. Where used for commercial and industrial purposes such as in merchandise display areas, work areas, platforms, signs, architectural, landscape or sports or recreational facilities, all light fixtures shall be equipped with automatic timing devices and comply with the following:
(a) Light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues or any other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform, shall use a narrow cone beam of light that will not extend beyond the illuminated object.
(b) Other upward directed architectural, landscape or decorative direct light emissions shall have at least ninety (90%) percent of their total distribution pattern within the profile of the illuminated structure.
(c) Recreational and sports facility lighting shall be shielded whenever possible. Such lighting shall have directional and glare control devices, when necessary, to comply with subsection 37-61.3.
(d) Externally illuminated signs including commercial billboard, building identification or other similar illuminated signs, shall comply with the following:
(1) Top mounted light fixtures shall be shielded and are preferred.
(2)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4904708; v19 updated 2026-03-25; through 03-25-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 37-61.2.b.1 requires shielded light fixtures -- ones with cutoff optics that block direct light above a 90-degree vertical angle -- for any outdoor lighting used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways, roadways and parking lots. The requirement applies to all outdoor lighting except fixtures serving one- and two-family homes, so it reaches commercial buildings, apartment complexes, retail lots and municipal facilities. It sits within Edison's broader outdoor lighting article, which also requires automatic timing devices for commercial and industrial lighting and caps light trespass onto neighboring property at 0.1 foot-candles. The Zoning Officer enforces the article and reviews photometric plans before installation.
Violations & Fines
Zoning Officer enforcement under § 37-67.5; each day an unshielded security fixture stays installed is a separate violation, punishable by Municipal Court fines, up to 90 days in jail, or community service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Edison Township require shielded fixtures for parking lot security lights?
What counts as a 'shielded light fixture' in Edison?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edison
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