Brooklyn City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1109

Lighting

1109.01 PURPOSE.

The purpose of this section is to regulate the placement, orientation, distribution patterns, and fixture types of outdoor lighting in order to preserve, protect, and enhance the character of the City and the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of property located within the City. All outdoor lighting fixtures located on a property including sign and building lights, shall be arranged to reduce atmospheric light pollution, control light trespass and glare on adjacent properties and public roadways, and to provide safety, utility, and security.

(Ord. 2022-34. Passed 1-9-23.)

1109.02 APPLICABILITY.

This chapter applies to all new and replacement outdoor lighting fixtures in all zoning district within the City. (Ord. 2022-34. Passed 1-9-23.)

1109.03 EXEMPTIONS.

The following lighting scenarios are exempt from the regulations contained herein:

(a) Holiday lighting of a temporary nature of not more than two (2) months of continuous display per every six (6) months;

(b) All temporary emergency lighting needed by police, fire, medical, or other emergency service vehicles, and public service vehicles. This includes vehicular lights, which are exempt from the requirements of this section including flashing or blinking lights;

(d) All lighting required by the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) or any other federal regulatory agency.

(Ord. 2022-34. Passed 1-9-23.)

1109.04 PROHIBITED LIGHTS.

The following types of lights are prohibited in the City:

(a) Search lights,

(b) Beacons,

(d) Any high-intensity or flashing light not associated with emergency services or public safety, and

(e) LED, neon tubing, or string lights that are being used as building accent lighting or window trimming.

(Ord. 2022-34. Passed 1-9-23.)

1109.05 LIGHTING STANDARDS.

(a) Lighting Plan. A lighting plan is required, unless specifically exempted herein. At a minimum, the lighting plan shall provide the following information:

(1) The location of each existing and proposed fixtures, including wall-mounted, security, flood, and parking lot lighting.

(2) The height of proposed lighting fixtures.

(3) The minimum and maximum intensity or illumination for the site.

(4) A photometric plan showing the proposed intensity levels of lighting that extends as far as any proposed lighting will reach or up to thirty (30) feet into the adjacent properties, whichever is greater. The photometric plan shall include all lighting, existing and proposed, that is over twenty-five (25) watts.

(5) Details of all proposed lighting fixtures, indicating the manufacturer, model, and style of fixture including a graphic representation of the fixture and the fixture light type.

(6) Add additional submittal requirement as may be determined by the Building Commissioner.

(b) Height.

(1) All lighting fixtures attached to an exterior of the structure shall not exceed the height of the structure.

(2) All freestanding lighting fixtures shall not exceed a maximum height of twenty-four (24) feet above grade.

(3) Non-cutoff decorative freestanding lighting fixtures shall not exceed twelve (12) feet.

(1) All outdoor lighting shall be located, screened, or shielded so that adjacent lots and the public right-of-way are not directly illuminated.

(2) Parking lot lighting shall be required to utilize full cutoff fixtures that are pointed down and away from the property line.

(3) Wall-mounted lights shall be screened by the building's architectural features or contain a cutoff shield, to direct lighting onto the building and not into adjacent lots.

(4) All outdoor lighting fixtures shall not exceed a color temperature of 4000 Kelvin.

(5) Statutes, monuments, flags, fountains, or other similar objects, as determined by the Building Commissioner, may utilize upward lighting in the form of spotlights to illuminate the object of interest.

(6) The type of lighting fixtures should match the existing character of the surrounding community.

(d) Illumination Levels. Light originating on a site shall not exceed illumination levels beyond the property lines as established in the following table.

TABLE 1109.05-1: MAXIMUM ILLUMINATION LEVELS

When a non-residential land use is adjacent to a…	The maximum illumination level at the property line is…
Single-family or two-family dwelling	0.5 Footcandles
Multifamily development	0.5 Footcandles
Non-residential use	1.0 Footcandles

(e) Measurement. Light levels shall be measured in footcandles with direct reading, portable light meter. Readings shall be taken only after the cell has been exposed long enough to take a constant reading.