Dearborn is not a formal dark-sky community but requires outdoor commercial and residential lighting to be shielded and directed downward to minimize glare and light pollution.
Dearborn has not adopted a formal International Dark Sky Association ordinance, but the Zoning Ordinance and site plan review standards require that outdoor lighting on commercial, industrial, and multifamily parcels be fully shielded and directed downward to prevent glare onto adjacent residential properties and public rights of way. Site plans typically must show photometric compliance with a maximum of 0.5 foot-candles at residential property lines. Pole heights for parking lot lighting are generally capped at 20 to 30 feet depending on adjacency. Residential property owners are not subject to a formal lumen cap but must not aim lights in a way that unreasonably disturbs neighbors (nuisance standard). LED fixtures should be warm-white (3000K or lower) on commercial sites near residences. Holiday and seasonal decorative lighting is generally exempt. Contact Dearborn Planning at (313) 943-2140 for project-specific requirements.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Dearborn, MI
Aircraft noise in Dearborn is regulated by the FAA, not the city. DTW flight paths and Ford test aircraft may create preempted noise that residents can repor...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn prohibits dogs from barking, howling, or making noise that disturbs neighbors for extended periods, with animal control enforcement and fines for re...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn allows on-street parking in most residential areas but prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, and in posted no-...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn follows Michigan's common-law partition-fence principles. Good side faces out, shared fences require mutual agreement, and disputes can go to distri...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn requires dogs to be leashed on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property, with off-leash use allowed only at designated dog parks ...
Dearborn, MI
Dearborn follows Michigan PA 256 of 2011 as amended by PA 65 of 2018 allowing consumer fireworks only on 12 designated holidays, with local restrictions limi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle dark sky rules.
See how Dearborn's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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