N.Y. Public Buildings Law § 143: Lighting restrictions

§ 143. Lighting restrictions. 1. Definitions. As used in this section:

a. "Direct light" means light emitted by a fixture from the lamp, from

a reflector, or through a refractor.

b. "Facade lighting" means permanent outdoor fixtures that are

specifically intended to illuminate the exterior surfaces of buildings

or structures.

c. "Fully shielded fixture" means a fixture that allows no direct

light from the fixture above a horizontal plane through the fixture's

lowest light-emitting part, in its mounted position.

d. "Fixture lumens" means total lumens emitted by a fixture.

e. "Glare" means light emitted by a fixture that causes discomfort or

reduced visibility.

f. "Illuminance" means the luminous power incident per unit area of a

surface.

g. "Lamp" means a light bulb or other component of a fixture that

changes electricity into visible light.

h. "Light trespass" means light that falls beyond the property it is

intended to illuminate.

i. "Lumen" means a standard unit of measurement of the quantity of

light emitted from a lamp.

j. "Fixture" means a complete lighting unit, including a lamp together

with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect

the lamp and to connect the lamp to the power supply.

k. "Ornamental roadway lighting" means a roadway lighting fixture that

serves a decorative function in addition to a roadway lighting function,

having an historical period appearance or decorative appearance.

l. "Parking-lot lighting" means permanent outdoor fixtures

specifically intended to illuminate uncovered vehicle parking areas.

m. "Permanent outdoor fixture" means a fixture for use in an exterior

environment installed with mounting not intended for relocation.

n. "Roadway lighting" means permanent outdoor fixtures specifically

intended to illuminate public roadways.

o. "Sky glow" means a condition caused by light directed upwards or

sideways reducing one's ability to view the night sky.

p. "State agency" means any state department, office, board,

commission, agency, or a public authority or public benefit corporation

at least one of whose members is appointed by the governor.

2. No state agency operating in the state shall install or cause to be

installed any new or replacement permanent outdoor fixture unless the

following conditions are met:

a. In the case of roadway lighting or parking-lot lighting; whether

mounted to poles, buildings or other structures, the fixture is fully

shielded.

b. In the case of building-mounted fixtures not specifically intended

for roadway lighting, parking-lot lighting, or facade lighting, the

fixture is fully shielded when its initial fixture lumens is greater

than three thousand lumens.

c. In the case of facade lighting, the fixture is shielded to reduce

glare, sky glow, and light trespass to the greatest extent possible.

d. In the case of ornamental roadway lighting fixtures, the fixture

allows no more than seven hundred lumens from the fixture above a

horizontal plane through the fixture's lowest light emitting part.

e. For illumination by new permanent outdoor fixtures for applications

described in paragraph a, b, c or d of this subdivision, only

illuminance levels that are no greater than those required for the

intended purpose may be used, as established by the commissioner of the

office of general services in consultation with the department of

transportation and the New York State Energy Research and Development

Authority, and given due consideration to lighting industry standards

and practices.

f. In the case of roadway lighting unassociated with intersections of

two or more streets or highways, the department of transportation has

determined that the purpose of the lighting installation or replacement

cannot be achieved by installation of reflectorized roadway markers,

lines, warnings or informational signs, or other passive means.

3. This section shall not apply:

a. if a federal law, rule or regulation preempts state law;

b. if the outdoor lighting fixture is used temporarily by emergency

personnel requiring additional illumination for emergency procedures or

temporarily used by repair personnel for road repair;

c. to navigational lighting systems and other lighting necessary for

aviation and nautical safety;

d. to lighting for athletic playing areas; provided, however, that all

such lighting shall be selected and installed to shield the lamp or

lamps from direct view and to minimize upward lighting and glare to the

greatest extent possible;

e. if the state agency determines a safety or security need exists

that cannot be addressed by any other method;

f. to the replacement of a previously installed permanent outdoor

fixture that is destroyed, damaged or inoperative, has experienced

electrical failure due to failed components, or requires standard

maintenance;

g. to lighting intended for tunnels and roadway underpasses; or

h. if the combined cost of acquiring and operating a fixture complying

with paragraphs a, b and c of this subdivision is more than fifteen

percent greater than the cost of acquiring and operating comparable

non-compliant fixtures over the life of the lighting system and if a

written determination with findings has been made that no compliant

fixture exists that would meet the cost limitation.

4. The office of general services, in consultation with the department

of transportation and the New York state energy research and development

authority, and given due consideration to lighting industry standards

and practices, shall establish rules and regulations to implement the

provisions of this section.