Outdoor Lighting in Madison, WI (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Madison caps how much light a building-illuminating fixture can throw and specifically bars aiming it at the sky. Sec. 29.36(4)(b), MGO, limits building floodlighting to 5 watts per lineal foot and requires the fixture be 'shielded or installed so as to illuminate the building, and not the sky.'
Madison Building-Light 'No Sky Glow' Rule
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 29.36(4)(b)
An outdoor lighting system for illuminating buildings and structures shall have a maximum connected lighting load of five (5) watts per lineal foot. Watts shall mean lamp wattage and ballast consumption. Such lighting shall be shielded or installed so as to illuminate the building, and not the sky.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Madison regulates outdoor lighting on every residential and commercial site in the city under Sec. 29.36, MGO. The ordinance doesn't require anyone to install outdoor lighting, but any fixture that is installed must meet footcandle, shielding and design standards meant to stop light trespass and glare while keeping nighttime areas safe.
Madison Outdoor Lighting Ordinance
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 29.36(1)
(1)Purpose and Intent. This ordinance regulates all outdoor lighting installed on residential site and commercial site property, both publicly and privately owned within the City of Madison with the exception of outdoor lighting on public streets, public bikeways and public walkways which are regulated elsewhere in the ordinances. The purpose of this ordinance is to create standards for outdoor...
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Dane County →