Outdoor Lighting in Dearborn, MI (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Dearborn, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Dearborn's zoning ordinance requires outdoor fixtures to be full cut-off and shielded to curb sky glow, caps most pole lights at 30 feet, and lets the Planning Commission approve decorative alternatives only if they create no off-site glare. Enforcement runs through the Zoning Administrator during site plan review.
Dearborn Dark-Sky Lighting Standards
Some RestrictionsDearborn Zoning Ordinance § 2.12(A)(6) & (C)(6), Article 2.00 General Provisions
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide reasonable regulations to direct the location, design, illumination level and use of outdoor lighting to minimize its undesirable effects. ... 6. Eliminating artificial light and lighting that unnecessarily contributes to sky glow and energy consumption. ... C.6. Fixtures. a. All outdoor fixtures, including building mounted fixtures, shall b...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Dearborn caps site lighting at 1.5 foot-candles at any lot line, dropping to 0.5 foot-candles next to a residential district, and requires every fixture to be shielded and aimed downward so light does not spill onto neighboring property. The Zoning Administrator enforces the limits through required lighting and photometric plans.
Dearborn Light Trespass Onto Neighbors
Some RestrictionsDearborn Zoning Ordinance § 2.12(C)(1), Article 2.00 General Provisions
C. Site lighting. 1. Type. All site lighting, including, but not limited to, free-standing, canopy, pole, building mounted, window/window frame/window opening mounted (visible from outside the building), and landscape, shall be fully shielded and directed downward to prevent off-site glare and illumination. 2. Intensity. The intensity of light within a site shall not exceed ten (10) foot-candle...
Looking for Wayne County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dearborn city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Wayne County →