Outdoor Lighting in Farmington Hills, MI

If you live in Farmington Hills or are thinking about moving there, outdoor lighting are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Farmington Hills has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of outdoor lighting, and some of them might surprise you.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Farmington Hills bars outdoor light fixtures from spilling illumination beyond the property line onto neighboring land. Section 17-106(b)(9) makes light trespass a code violation and even reaches reflective surfaces like windows and mirrors that redirect light onto adjacent property.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 17-106(a)(8), (b)(9). Core rule: No light trespass beyond property line. Also covers: Reflective windows, mirrors that redirect light. Residential ceiling: 1 footcandle within 2 ft of wall (§ 17-106(b)(14)). Penalty: Municipal civil infraction (§ 17-107).

Any outdoor fixture, or reflective surface like a window or mirror, that lets light spill past the property boundary violates Section 17-106(b)(9) and is a municipal civil infraction under Section 17-107. Exceeding one footcandle within two feet of a neighboring residential building's wall under subsection (b)(14) is a separate, numeric trigger for the same violation.

Dark Sky Rules

Farmington Hills requires every outdoor light fixture in the city to be a fully shielded luminaire, keeping light from spilling upward into the night sky. Section 17-106 defines skyglow and full-cutoff standards and mandates shielding on virtually all exterior lighting citywide.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 17-106(a)(2), (b)(8). Core requirement: All fixtures must be fully shielded. Banned lamps: Sodium/metal halide unless color-corrected. Flashing lights: Flashing/moving illumination prohibited. Penalty: Municipal civil infraction (§ 17-107).

Installing or operating an outdoor fixture that is not a fully shielded luminaire, absent an exemption or an approved special exception, is a municipal civil infraction under Section 17-107. The zoning board of appeals, acting as an administrative review board, can grant a special exception but may require a paid lighting consultant's review first.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills'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 Farmington Hills is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Farmington Hills 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.