How Evansville Handles Outdoor Lighting: A Practical Guide
Evansville maintains 117 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with outdoor lighting. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Evansville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Dark Sky Rules
Within Evansville's Airport Overlay Zone, new site lighting must use full-cutoff fixtures aimed downward, no upward or horizontal glare, and no spinning, oscillating, or blinking lights, to protect nighttime aircraft operations near Evansville Regional Airport.
Key details: Applies in: Airport Overlay Zone (AIR-O) only. Fixture rule: Full-cutoff luminaires, pole/structure-mounted. Prohibited: Upward or horizontal light projection. Signs: Must be internally illuminated. Administered by: Evansville-Vanderburgh Area Plan Commission.
Enforced by the Area Plan Commission through the improvement location permit process; the airport may periodically inspect a site for compliance with any required FAA hazard-marking determination.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Evansville requires all sign lighting to be shielded so it never spills glare onto neighboring property or the roadway.
Key details: Section: EMC 18.140.220(E). Above-sign fixture limit: No taller than 6 in. above sign top. Bare bulbs: Never allowed to be visible to passersby. Prohibited-sign backstop: EMC 18.140.250(K).
A sign whose lighting sheds glare across a property line or into a thoroughfare is a prohibited sign under EMC 18.140.250(K), enforceable through the Planning Department's sign permit and code enforcement process; noncompliant fixtures must be corrected or the sign is subject to removal.
The Bottom Line
Evansville'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 Evansville is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Evansville can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.