Outdoor Lighting in Madison, AL (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Madison, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Madison has no formal International Dark-Sky designation, but its Zoning Ordinance requires full cut-off, shielded outdoor fixtures that shine light downward, limiting light pollution and glare across the city.
Dark-Sky / Outdoor Lighting Rules in Madison, AL
Some RestrictionsMadison Zoning Ordinance 7-9-2
All outdoor light fixtures installed after the effective date of this article (excluding lighting installed within rights-of-way) shall be full cut-off fixtures either recessed into a canopy or shielded. External building illumination shall use top mounted light fixtures that shine light downward and are fully shielded... Lighting shall not outline buildings, except as part of temporary holiday...
Light Trespass
Madison's Zoning Ordinance caps light spilling onto neighboring property: no more than 0.2 foot-candles onto residential property, 1.0 in mixed-use, and 1.5 in non-residential districts. Light and glare may not trespass onto rights-of-way.
Light Trespass Rules in Madison, AL
Some RestrictionsMadison Zoning Ordinance 7-9-1.B & 7-9-1.C
Light trespass caused by outdoor lighting, including light sources, diffraction, and reflections from on-site objects, shall not illuminate another property more than the following limits: 0.2 foot-candles onto properties in a residential district; 1.0 foot-candles onto properties in a mixed-use district; 1.5 foot-candles onto properties in non-residential districts. Light or glare shall not tr...
Looking for Madison County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Madison County →