Outdoor Lighting in Rochester Hills, MI (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Rochester Hills, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Rochester Hills requires all exterior lighting to be fully shielded and aimed straight down to protect the nighttime visual environment, banning oblique wall-pack lenses and sag or protruding lenses, and capping property-line light spillover at 0.1 footcandles next to residential uses.
Rochester Hills Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsRochester Hills Zoning Ordinance § 138-10.200 & § 138-10.202.A
The purpose of this Chapter is to preserve, protect, and enhance the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of all properties in the City through the use of appropriate lighting practices and systems. Exterior lighting shall be designed, installed and maintained to control glare and light trespass, minimize obtrusive light, conserve energy and resources, maintain safety, security and productivity, ...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Rochester Hills caps how much light can spill onto neighboring property under the zoning ordinance's exterior lighting chapter. Light levels at the property line cannot exceed 0.1 footcandles where a site abuts a right-of-way or a residential lot, rising to 0.3 footcandles next to nonresidential uses, and any fixture over 400 lumens must be fully shielded.
Rochester Hills Light Trespass Limits
Some RestrictionsRochester Hills Zoning Ordinance § 138-10.202.B, C
B.Glare. Exterior lighting sources in all districts shall be designed, constructed, located and maintained in a manner that does not cause off-site glare on neighboring properties or street rights-of-way. Except as otherwise permitted, the light emitting element of any light fixture shall not be directly visible from a neighboring property, as this is the primary cause of glare. The light emitt...
Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rochester Hills city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Oakland County →