Monroe County towns prohibit light trespass through zoning. Rochester Ch. 120 caps spillover at 0.5 fc at residential property lines. Complaint-driven enforcement by town code officers.
Light trespass is regulated through Monroe County town zoning codes. Rochester Zoning Chapter 120 caps light spillover at 0.5 foot-candles at residential property lines. Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, and Webster apply similar 0.5 to 1.0 fc property-line limits. Residential security lights must be aimed and shielded to illuminate only the owner's property; floodlights aimed at neighbors are prohibited. Commercial properties face stricter enforcement with measured lumen/lux tests at property boundaries during complaints. Holiday and decorative lighting often receive seasonal exemption (typically November 15 to January 15). Enforcement is complaint-driven through town code enforcement or Rochester NET.
Rochester light trespass: warning plus 30-day correction, then $100 to $300 per violation. Commercial: up to $1,000. Repeat offenders: escalating fines.
Gates, NY
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