De Pere's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In De Pere, Wisconsin, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Dark Sky Rules
De Pere requires dark sky-compliant fixtures and installation practices for lighting in mixed-use, commercial and employment districts, paired with a 3,000 Kelvin color-temperature cap, fixture height limits and a ban on permanent string lighting.
Key details: Requirement: Dark sky-compliant fixtures required. Color temperature cap: 3,000 Kelvin. Parking lot fixture height: Max 30 feet. Other fixture height: Max 15 feet. String lights: Not permitted as permanent lighting.
Installing lighting that exceeds the 3,000 Kelvin color-temperature cap, mounting fixtures above the 30-foot parking lot or 15-foot general height limits, or leaving permanent string lights up on a building in mixed-use, commercial or employment zoning is a zoning violation. The development services director enforces Section 14-95(3), and noncompliant installations can draw a municipal citation under city code § 1-11.
Light Trespass & Shielding
De Pere caps how much light a property can spill onto its neighbors: 0.20 footcandles measured at the property line where the light lands on a residential lot, and 0.50 footcandles for any other zoning. Fixture shielding, aim and mounting height must achieve it.
Key details: Limit onto residential lots: 0.20 footcandles. Limit onto other zoning: 0.50 footcandles. Measured at: Receiving lot's property line. Compliance methods: Shielding, aim, height, location. Governing section: § 14-95(2), Table 9-5.
A property that spills more than 0.20 footcandles onto an adjacent residential lot, or more than 0.50 footcandles onto any other adjacent zoning, measured at the receiving property line, is out of compliance with Section 14-95(2). The development services director enforces the standard, and the city may issue a municipal citation under city code § 1-11 for an unshielded or misaimed fixture that exceeds the limit.
The Bottom Line
De Pere's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming De Pere is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on De Pere's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.