Suffolk UDO § 31-604 caps light spilling onto neighbors. At the property line of a parking lot adjoining a public right-of-way or residential area, lighting may not exceed 0.5 footcandles, and fixtures must minimize glare.
Suffolk's outdoor lighting standard in UDO § 31-604 protects the use and enjoyment of surrounding property by limiting light trespass. Parking areas must provide at least 1.0 footcandle for safety, but the lighting intensity at the property line for parking lots adjoining the public right-of-way or residential areas may not exceed 0.5 footcandles. Light source locations must be chosen to minimize glare hazards, and non-exempt fixtures must be shielded and filtered per Table 604-1 so light is directed onto the intended site rather than neighboring homes.
Lighting that exceeds 0.5 footcandles at a residential or right-of-way property line violates § 31-604 and blocks development approval. Suffolk Zoning can order re-aiming, shielding, or fixture replacement; noncompliance carries UDO penalties.
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See how Suffolk's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
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