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Milwaukee, WI Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Residential property line cap
1 foot-candle
Non-residential property line cap
5 foot-candles
Fixture requirement
Cut-off fixtures citywide
Governing code
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 295-409

Summary

Milwaukee caps illuminated sign and billboard lighting at 1 foot-candle at a residential property line, 5 elsewhere, with cut-off fixtures required.

295-409. Lighting. In all zoning districts, with the exception of automatic changeable message signs, as provided in s. 295-407-4-d, all on-site lighting shall have cut-off fixtures that ensure that lighting levels and glare are controlled as follows: 1. No light source shall be visible from an adjoining property or public right-of-way. 2. Where adjoining properties are zoned residential, the maximum illumination at a property line shall be one foot-candle. In all other circumstances, the maximum illumination at a property line shall be 5 foot-candles.

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Full Breakdown

Under Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 295-409, on-site lighting in every zoning district, including illuminated signs and billboards, which § 244-15 ties directly to this section, must use cut-off fixtures so no light source is visible from an adjoining property or public right-of-way. Illumination measured at the property line cannot exceed 1 foot-candle where the adjoining property is zoned residential, or 5 foot-candles in any other case. Section 244-15 additionally bars glare onto abutting properties as a nuisance under § 80-19, and routes electrical illumination compliance through ch. 222.

Violations & Fines

Sign or billboard lighting exceeding the foot-candle cap, glare-producing (non-cut-off) fixtures, or light spilling visibly onto an adjoining lot or right-of-way violates § 295-409 and can also trigger the § 80-19 nuisance-light provision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Milwaukee billboard's lighting shine onto a neighboring house?
No. § 295-409 bars any visible light source onto an adjoining property and caps illumination at the property line to 1 foot-candle next to residential zoning.
What fixtures does Milwaukee require for illuminated billboards?
Cut-off fixtures that keep lighting levels and glare controlled, per § 295-409, which § 244-15 applies specifically to illuminated signs and billboards.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Milwaukee

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All Milwaukee rules

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