Newton, MA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Trespass window
- 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Illuminance limit
- .35 footcandles at 5 ft past line
- Exemption
- affected neighbor's permission
- Exemption
- light only on abutting public way
- Adopted
- 2005, Ord. No. X-142
Summary
Newton bans light sources that spill light beyond the property line, capping illuminance measured five feet past the boundary at .35 footcandles, horizontal or vertical, after astronomical twilight, under Sec. 20-25. The rule only applies between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.; a neighbor's permission or a specific exemption can also excuse the spillover.
No person shall install or maintain a light source or light sources which emit(s) light which falls outside the boundaries of the parcel of land upon which the light source(s) is sited, unless 1) such person has the permission of the owner or person in control of the parcel of land upon which the light falls or 2) the illuminance of light measured at any point which is located five or more feet outside of the boundary of the parcel of land upon which the light source is located does not exceed .35 horizontal or .35 vertical footcandles after astronomical twilight, provided however, that during the three-year period immediately following the effective date of this section, the standard shall be .5 horizontal or .5 vertical footcandles after astronomical twilight. ... The prohibition against maintaining a light source as set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 35. m. Subsection (c) carves out two further exemptions: light installed or maintained by the City or a utility to illuminate a public or private way, and light that falls only on the abutting public way and no other property. The section was adopted alongside the shielding rule in Sec. 20-24 by the same 2005 ordinance, both sitting in Chapter 20, Article III, Light Trespass.
Violations & Fines
A light trespass violation is enforced the same way as other Chapter 20 offenses via Sec. 20-13(k) and (m): a misdemeanor fine up to $300, or a civil fine, with the Newton Police Department or Inspectional Services Department handling complaints. Because the standard is measured in footcandles, the city typically needs an on-site reading five feet past the property line during the 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. window to substantiate a complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Newton's light trespass rule apply?
How bright can a light be at the property line in Newton?
Can a neighbor allow extra light spillover in Newton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newton
Compare Newton to another location·View the Massachusetts 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 this county handle light trespass & shielding.