Outdoor Lighting in Dane County, WI (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Light Trespass & Shielding
Dane County's zoning code requires outdoor lighting tied to any permitted or conditional land use to point downward and away from neighboring properties and public roads, minimizing light spill. Conditional use applicants must also spell out, in their operational plan, exactly how they'll mitigate light-pollution impacts on adjoining land.
Dane County Outdoor Lighting Standards
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 10.102(5); ch. 10.101(7)(c)4.j
(5) Lighting. Except for lighting of the United States flag, any outdoor lighting associated with any permitted or conditional use shall be directed downward and away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, and shall be designed to minimize ambient light spill. ... j. Outdoor lighting and measures taken to mitigate light-pollution impacts to neighboring properties.
Billboard Lighting
Dane County caps how signs, including billboards, may be lit: external fixtures must aim only at the copy from a downward angle, no up-lighting is allowed, and glare toward roadways is banned under Sec. 10.802(4)(f).
Dane County Billboard & Sign Illumination Limits
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 10.802(4)(f)
(f) Illumination. All externally illuminated signs shall comply with the following standards. 1. Light, number and direction. Signs that are illuminated from an external source shall have external lights directed at only the copy area from a downward angle attached to the top of the sign or sign structure. No externally illuminated sign shall be up-lit or utilize light directed from the ground ...
Outdoor Lighting by City in Dane County
4 cities in Dane County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding
All Dane County ordinances
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