Outdoor Lighting in Dubuque, IA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Dubuque, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In the City of Dubuque, exterior site lighting must be shielded above seventy two degrees from vertical, a full cutoff standard aimed at cutting glare and sky glow. Fixtures mounted on buildings cannot rise above the roofline, and wiring to posts and fixtures must run underground.
Dubuque Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 16-13-3-2
B. The location and design of site lighting shall conform to the following: ... ... 3. All exterior lighting luminaries shall be designed and installed to shield light from the luminaire at angles above seventy two degrees (72°) from vertical; 4. Fixtures mounted on a building shall not be positioned higher than the roofline of the building;
Light Trespass & Shielding
In the City of Dubuque, site lighting cannot glare or shine onto adjacent lots or streets, and illumination spilling onto a neighboring lot, building or street is capped at one foot-candle. Planning Services checks the standard during site plan review.
Dubuque Light Trespass Foot-Candle Limit
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 16-13-3-2
B. The location and design of site lighting shall conform to the following: ... 1. All exterior lighting shall be designed, installed and maintained so as not to cause glare or to shine in adjacent lots and streets; 2. No light sources shall provide illumination onto adjacent lots, buildings or streets in excess of one foot-candle;