Outdoor Lighting in Neenah, WI

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

Light Trespass & Shielding

Neenah caps outdoor light spilling onto neighboring property lines, with a zero-tolerance limit next to single-family and two-family homes.

Key details: Limit near residential: 0.0 foot candles above ambient. Limit near other property: 0.5 foot candles above ambient. Applies to: commercial, industrial, multi-family. Not covered: single/two-family home lighting.

Enforced through the City's zoning/site plan review process; a Community Development Department field check with a light meter can confirm a foot-candle reading exceeds the property-line limit.

Dark Sky Rules

Neenah bars commercial, industrial, and multi-family lighting from spilling above ambient levels onto neighboring homes and requires full cut-off, downward-directed fixtures under its 2023 outdoor lighting ordinance.

Key details: Residential property line cap: 0.0 fc above ambient. Non-residential property line cap: 0.5 fc above ambient. Site average cap: 1.5 foot-candles. Adopted: Ord. 2023-05, 3-15-2023.

Installing a floodlight, spotlight, or fixture that isn't full cut-off, mounting above 25 feet, or exceeding the property-line light caps violates §§ 26-679–26-680 and can hold up site plan approval.

The Bottom Line

Neenah'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 Neenah is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Neenah's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.