Outdoor Lighting in South Bend, IN (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for South Bend, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
South Bend's Zoning Ordinance requires outdoor light fixtures to be full cutoff or fully shielded, caps color temperature at 3,000 Kelvin, and is written to reduce light pollution and improve night sky visibility.
South Bend Dark Sky & Lighting Standards
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN Zoning Ordinance § 21-09.04(g) (Shielding & Cutoff)
All outdoor light fixtures shall be full cutoff or fully shielded to prevent light at or above horizontal 90 degrees (above nadir) and limited to a value not exceeding 10 percent of lamp lumens at or above 80 degrees.
Light Trespass
South Bend caps light at any lot line abutting a residential (S or U) district at 0.2 foot-candles, and 1.0 foot-candle elsewhere. Fixtures must be aimed to prevent light trespass and glare onto neighbors.
South Bend Light Trespass Limits
Some RestrictionsSouth Bend, IN Zoning Ordinance § 21-09.04(f) (Maximum Light Levels at Lot Line)
The maximum light level at any point on a lot line abutting an S1, S2, U1, U2, or U3 lot shall not exceed 0.2 foot candles. All others shall not exceed 1.0 foot candles.
Looking for St. Joseph County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement South Bend city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in St. Joseph County →