File #: Int 0815-2026    Version: * Name: Lighting controls for street lighting fixtures.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 4/16/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to lighting controls for street lighting fixtures
Sponsors: Harvey D. Epstein
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT), when installing a new or replacement street lighting fixture on a residential street, to install a shielded fixture that is controlled by a motion sensor to automatically dim at certain times, subject to certain exceptions. DOT would also be required to conduct a study on the possible citywide use of shielded street lighting fixtures that utilize adaptive lighting controls. Until the completion of such study, DOT would be required to submit annual reports regarding its progress on such study, as well as on the installations on residential streets.
Indexes: Report Required, Sunset Date Applies
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 815, 2. Int. No. 815, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. April 16, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 815

 

By Council Member Epstein

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to lighting controls for street lighting fixtures

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subchapter 3 of chapter 1 of title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-188.4 to read as follows:

§ 19-188.4 Lighting controls for street lighting fixtures. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Adaptive lighting control. The term “adaptive lighting control” means advanced lighting technology that regulates the light emitted by a street lighting fixture.

Motion sensor. The term “motion sensor” means a device that detects the presence or absence of people, vehicles, or other road users within an area and causes lighting to be regulated accordingly.

Residential streets. The term “residential streets” means those streets, or parts thereof, that are located within a residential district under the zoning resolution.

Shielded fixture. The term “shielded fixture” means a street lighting fixture that is shielded in such a manner that light rays emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted.

Street lighting fixture. The term “street lighting fixture” means a lighting fixture that illuminates any street.

b. When installing a new street lighting fixture or replacing an existing street lighting fixture on a residential street, the department shall install a shielded fixture that is controlled by a motion sensor to be automatically dimmed to specified lighting levels at specified times, as determined by the department. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the department shall not be required to install such a shielded fixture if the department determines in its professional engineering judgment that such installation would: (i) result in dangerous or unsafe conditions for pedestrians, drivers, or other road users in the area; or (ii) otherwise be impracticable.

c. The department shall conduct a study on the possible citywide use of shielded fixtures that utilize adaptive lighting controls. Such study shall include: (i) a comprehensive assessment of existing street lighting conditions, vehicular traffic volumes, and pedestrian traffic levels; (ii) a survey of available adaptive lighting controls; (iii) recommendations and limitations regarding the use of shielded fixtures that utilize adaptive lighting controls; and (iv) a determination on whether the citywide use of shielded fixtures that utilize adaptive lighting controls is appropriate. No later than June 1, 2028, the department shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council, and post on the department’s website, a report on the findings of such study.

d. No later than June 1, 2027, and no later than June 1 of each year thereafter until the submission of the report required pursuant to subdivision c of this section, the department shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council, and post on the department’s website, a report regarding: (i) the installations completed by the department pursuant to subdivision b of this section during the preceding calendar year; and (ii) the progress made by the department on the study required pursuant to subdivision c of this section during the preceding calendar year.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law, except that subdivisions c and d of section one of this local law expire and are deemed repealed upon submission of the report to the mayor and the speaker of the council as required by subdivision c of such section of this local law. Upon such submission, the mayor shall notify the city clerk for the purpose of transmitting notice of such expiration and repeal to the New York state legislative bill drafting commission in furtherance of effectuating section 70-b of the public offers law, and the mayor shall notify the corporation counsel for the purpose of effectuating section 7-111 of the administrative code of the city of New York. Any failure to provide a notification described in this section shall not affect the effective date of any provision of this local law.

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LS #21324

3/26/26 3:03PM