Hamburg Village, NY Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

The Village of Hamburg regulates light trespass in Article 36 of its zoning chapter, Chapter 250. Section 250-36.2 sets the scope: the article applies to all exterior lighting on property used for multifamily, commercial, mixed-use, industrial, public, or semipublic purposes, and no regulated exterior lighting can be erected without first receiving approval through site plan review. Single-family and two-family homes are not named in that scope.

The numeric cap is in Section 250-36.4(A). Every fixture must be shielded and directed so that it does not cast more than two footcandles on adjacent nonresidential properties or more than 0.1 footcandle on adjacent residential properties. The one carve-out is for a banking institution, which can exceed the limit only to the extent needed to comply with Article II-AA of the New York State Banking Law, the "ATM Safety Act."

Section 250-36.3 adds fixture rules that work toward the same goal. Fixtures must be consistent with the Village of Hamburg Building Design Standards, must be fully shielded and point downward to minimize skyglow, glare, and light trespass, and must comply with International Dark Sky Association standards. Wall packs and other building-mounted high-intensity fixtures are not permitted, and pole-mounted fixtures cannot be mounted higher than 18 feet above grade.

Section 250-36.4 also asks that exterior lighting be illuminated only when needed, such as during business hours or in areas requiring illumination for security, and that fixtures be no brighter than necessary. No lighting can have a color temperature exceeding 3,000 K, and bulb types should be selected to reduce blue light emissions. Spotlights that illuminate signs or building faces must also meet Article 35, the sign article of the same chapter.

The Code Enforcement Officer administers the zoning chapter, and applications are submitted to the CEO under Section 250-40.3.