Outdoor Lighting in Middleton, WI (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Middleton, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Middleton's Outdoor Lighting Code, effective March 3, 2026, requires any luminaire over 1,000 lumens to be fully shielded and caps upward light spill at 5 percent, aiming to preserve the naturally dark sky for residents and wildlife under Chapter 33.
Dark Sky Outdoor Lighting Rules Middleton
Some RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code §§ 33.01, 33.03 and 33.07(1)(c)
This outdoor lighting ordinance is intended to protect the health and welfare of all residents within the City of Middleton, enhance its attractiveness and quality of life, prevent inappropriate and poorly installed outdoor lighting, reduce lighting conflicts between property owners, prevent the increase of potentially harmful sky glow, and preserve the naturally dark sky for the benefit of res...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Middleton caps how much artificial light can cross onto a neighbor's land: no more than 1 lux onto residential property or waters of the United States, and just 0.1 lux toward designated wilderness or habitat areas, under the Outdoor Lighting Code.
Light Trespass Limits Neighboring Property Middleton
Some RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code §§ 33.03 and 33.07(1)(d)
Light Trespass. ALAN illuminating past property lines without permission. Unless specified otherwise, light trespass limits are measured at any location along a property line both horizontally at the ground plane facing upward and vertically at 1.5 meters (5ft) above grade with the meter aimed toward the light source in question. ... (d)Trespass. Unless otherwise specified in this ordinance, Li...
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Middleton city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Dane County →