Lincoln's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Lincoln, Nebraska, 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.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Lincoln has no citywide dark-sky ordinance, but private landing strips permitted in AG and AGR districts must shield floodlights and spotlights so no light beams upward past a horizontal plane.

Key details: Governs: Private landing strips, AG/AGR districts. Standard: No light cast above horizontal plane. Permit body: Planning Commission special permit. Penalty: Misdemeanor, up to $100/day. Citywide lighting rule: None in Title 27 zoning code.

Unshielded floodlights or spotlights casting light above the horizontal at a permitted landing strip violate the special permit; enforcement is a misdemeanor fined up to $100 per day under § 27.81.070.

Billboard Lighting

Off-premises signs (billboards) in Lincoln cannot be illuminated between midnight and 5 a.m., except for government emergency announcements, and any reflected lighting must use downlighting on an automatic timer.

Key details: Lighting curfew: Midnight to 5:00 a.m.. Curfew exception: Government emergency announcements only. Reflected lighting: Downlighting methods required. Control device: Automatic timing device required. Enforcement: Director of Building and Safety.

Violating Title 27 sign rules is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $100, with each day the violation continues counting as a separate offense (§ 27.81.070).

The Bottom Line

Lincoln'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 Lincoln is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Lincoln 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.