Carmel, IN Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Lot-line limit
- 0.1 foot-candle
- Overlay fixtures
- Concealed, low-level
- Rooftop lighting
- Prohibited (overlays)
- Parking pole height
- 25 ft (15 ft near homes)
- Code sections
- UDO 5.02(B)(4); 3.11
Summary
Carmel limits light spill at property lines and requires shielded, integrated fixtures. In residential districts no lighting may cause illumination beyond a lot line exceeding 0.1 foot-candle, and in overlay districts exterior lighting must come from concealed, low-level fixtures with no rooftop lighting.
Lighting: No lighting shall cause Illumination at or beyond any Lot Line in excess of 0.1 Foot-candle of light.
Full Breakdown
Carmel's dark-sky-style controls appear in the UDO. Under Section 5.02(B)(4), no lighting shall cause illumination at or beyond any lot line in excess of 0.1 foot-candle. In overlay districts such as Home Place (Section 3.11), all exterior architectural, display, decorative, and sign lighting must be generated from concealed, low-level fixtures, rooftop lighting is prohibited, and parking-area light standards are capped at 25 feet (15 feet within 90 feet of single-family homes). These full-cutoff-style rules reduce glare and skyglow while allowing pedestrian pathways to be lit to a minimum of three foot-candles for safety.
Violations & Fines
Fixtures that spill more than 0.1 foot-candle past a lot line, unshielded or rooftop lighting, or over-height light poles violate the UDO and are subject to correction orders and fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carmel have a dark-sky ordinance?
How bright can my outdoor lights be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carmel
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