Outdoor Lighting in Kenosha County, WI (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In Kenosha County's unincorporated towns, zoning code Section 12.15.010(a) requires every exterior light fixture in business, manufacturing, institutional and park-recreational districts to be fully shielded so the lamp element is never visible from an abutting right-of-way or neighboring lot. Wall packs, canopy lights and ground-mounted fixtures must be aimed downward, with only security, athletic-field and flag lighting exempted.
Kenosha County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsKenosha County Municipal Code § 12.15.010(a)
(a) Orientation of Fixtures. Except for security lighting, outdoor recreational facility lighting or flag lighting, in no instance shall an exterior lighting fixture be oriented so that the lighting element (or a transparent shield) is visible from any abutting right-of-way or adjacent property. The use of fully shielded fixtures (as defined in the Wisconsin Model Exterior Lighting Ordinance) i...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Kenosha County's zoning ordinance caps how much light a business, manufacturing, institutional or park-recreational property can throw onto a neighbor: Section 12.15.010(b) limits illumination measured at the property line to 0.5 footcandles above ambient nighttime conditions, verified by a photometric plan, in the county's unincorporated towns.
Kenosha County Outdoor Light Trespass Limit
Some RestrictionsKenosha County Municipal Code § 12.15.010(b)
(b) Intensity of Illumination. In no instance shall the amount of illumination attributable to exterior lighting as measured at the property line exceed 0.5 footcandles above ambient lighting conditions on a cloudless night. This will be verified by a photometric plan of the property.
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