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Outdoor Lighting in Pennsylvania (2026)

30 rules on the books across Pennsylvania, 13 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Dark Sky Rules

Ordinances designed to reduce light pollution, including requirements for shielded fixtures, limits on brightness, and curfews for decorative lighting.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Rules preventing outdoor lights from shining onto neighboring homes, shielding and full-cutoff fixture requirements, aiming standards, and footcandle caps at the property line.

Allegheny County

Some Restrictions

Allegheny County's subdivision code requires all outdoor lighting in new developments to be aimed and shielded so it…

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Allentown

Some Restrictions

Allentown's zoning code requires every outdoor light source, including signs, to be diffused and shielded so it isn't…

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Bethlehem

Some Restrictions

Bethlehem's zoning code bars any operation from producing glare that's visible beyond its own property line. Section…

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Erie

Some Restrictions

Erie's Zoning Ordinance Section 206.13(b)(1) requires every outdoor light in the Industrial Park district, spotlights…

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Franklin Township

Some Restrictions

In Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, ambient light spilling from any property may not exceed 0.2…

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Montgomery County

Some Restrictions

Montgomery County has no light-trespass rule. Whether stray light spilling onto a neighbor's property is limited…

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Penn Hills

Some Restrictions

Penn Hills' swimming pool code bars artificial lighting that shines directly onto a neighbor's property and flatly bans…

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Philadelphia

Some Restrictions

Philadelphia zoning requires shielded, full-cut-off exterior lighting on commercial and multi-family sites so no light…

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Pittsburgh

Some Restrictions

Pittsburgh's Lighting Code requires new and majorly renovated outdoor lighting to use permanently installed shielding…

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Pottstown

Some Restrictions

Pottstown's land-development design standards bar exterior lighting that throws glare or light spillage onto…

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Reading

Some Restrictions

Reading requires off-street parking areas with five or more spaces to be lit for security between sunset and sunrise…

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Scranton

Some Restrictions

Scranton's zoning code requires every outdoor light fixture to be shielded and aimed so glare stops at the property…

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Upper Darby

Some Restrictions

Upper Darby's parking area design standards bar glare from lighting fixtures from reflecting beyond the lot on which…

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