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Outdoor Lighting in Carmel, IN (2026)

2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Carmel, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dark Sky Rules

Carmel limits light spill at property lines and requires shielded, integrated fixtures. In residential districts no lighting may cause illumination beyond a lot line exceeding 0.1 foot-candle, and in overlay districts exterior lighting must come from concealed, low-level fixtures with no rooftop lighting.

Outdoor lighting and dark-sky standards in Carmel, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Carmel UDO Section 5.02(B)(4)

Lighting: No lighting shall cause Illumination at or beyond any Lot Line in excess of 0.1 Foot-candle of light.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Carmel's UDO caps light trespass at the property line: no lighting may cause illumination at or beyond any lot line in excess of 0.1 foot-candle. Overlay districts additionally require concealed, low-level fixtures and prohibit rooftop lighting.

Light trespass onto neighbors in Carmel, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Carmel UDO Section 5.02(B)(4)

Lighting: No lighting shall cause Illumination at or beyond any Lot Line in excess of 0.1 Foot-candle of light.

Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Carmel city rules.

Outdoor Lighting in Hamilton County