The purpose of this chapter is to regulate outdoor lighting in a manner that encourages the conservation of energy, improves or maintains the nighttime visual environment, prevents and/or eliminates misdirected or excessive artificial light, light trespass and/or unnecessary sky glow and protects the health, safety, security and welfare of Borough residents and the general public.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Borough of Fair Lawn 12-16-2025 by Ord. No. 2768-2025. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The regulations and standards contained in this chapter shall apply to 1) outdoor lighting upon any property for which site plan review and approval is required; and 2) the installation, alteration to and/or the changing of outdoor lighting upon any residential property including single-family and multifamily dwelling units. All outdoor light fixtures installed and thereafter maintained shall comply with the requirements specified in this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A man-made object from which light originates.
The Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer or their respective designees.
Illuminance within the visual field of a human eye that is sufficiently greater than the intensity of illuminance to which the eye is adapted such that it causes annoyance, discomfort, nuisance, and/or loss in visual performance and visibility.
See "lighting."
An electrically powered lighting device consisting of a lamp, a lamp holder, an electrical ballast (if necessary), and the means for connecting the device to an electrical power source.
Any form of illumination emanating from a light fixture or light source whether internally or externally illuminated on a property that penetrates another property and creates a nuisance, annoyance, or glare.
The deliberate utilization of one or more artificial light sources to achieve an aesthetic or intended effect.
Unit of measurement of visible light output from a light fixture. One lumen is equal to the amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square foot of surface located one foot away from the candle.
A glare resulting from artificial light sources and excessive levels of illumination or insufficiently shielded light sources emanating from light fixtures in the field of view where the lens, lamp, or reflector is offensively visible above a height of five feet at a property line, public or private roadway. By way of example, if the lamp (bulb) is objectionably visible from outside the illuminated property's boundary, then it is a direct glare source; and if one must squint to see due to glare within one's field of view, then it is objectionable.
The lighting of areas exterior to the walls of enclosed buildings and/or within structures having open or partially open walls such as canopies, carriage porches, pavilions, gazebos, and similar structures.
A.
All outdoor lighting shall be of a soft or glare-free type and shall not cast an illumination that is distractive, that obliterates or obscures the view, or that is ultraviolet, strobic, pulsating, flashing, traveling, or otherwise intrusive.
B.
No outdoor lighting or outdoor light fixtures shall shine directly upon any neighboring property or into any room or rooms of structures on any neighboring property in a manner that creates glare for the occupants of any neighboring property or in such a manner that the lighting constitutes an objectionable glare source.
C.
No outdoor lighting or outdoor light fixtures that create a light trespass shall be permitted on any property.
D.
No outdoor lighting shall be located on any structure adjacent to a natural body of water if such outdoor lighting creates glare, constitutes a safety hazard, or otherwise constitutes an objectionable direct glare source.
E.
Outdoor lighting fixtures shall not be attached or mounted to trees or to any public property (i.e., public buildings, utility poles, telephone poles, streetlights, road or street signs).
F.
No outdoor lighting fixtures shall be erected within a public road right-of-way unless approval is obtained from the Borough Council.
All commercial properties shall comply with the lighting requirements set forth in § 125.47.1.
A.
The residential outdoor lighting regulations and commercial outdoor lighting regulations in this chapter shall not apply to the following:
(1)
Temporary emergency lighting. For purposes of this section, "temporary emergency lighting" shall only be permitted for the duration of the emergency event and shall be discontinued immediately once the emergency condition has ended.
(2)
Outdoor lighting emitting less than 100 lumens.
(3)
Decorative holiday lighting.
All property owners and occupants shall control the placement and direction of all exterior lighting located within the property lot lines and ensure the lighting shall not create a nuisance, annoyance, or light trespass to adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth above shall be a violation of this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Enforcement Officer.
Whenever an outdoor light fixture and/or artificial light source is determined to be in violation of this chapter, a notice of violation shall be issued to the owner or occupant of the property ordering that the offending fixture/light source be immediately turned off and be removed or made compliant with this chapter within 30 days.