Fort Wayne, IN Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Light trespass threshold
- 600+ lumens on residential property
- Full shielding required
- Above 1,000 lumens
- Exempt
- Motion detector-activated lighting
- Enforcement
- Fort Wayne Police Department
- Penalty
- $150–$500 per offense, per day
Summary
Fort Wayne caps residential light trespass at 600 lumens for frosted or translucent covers, and requires full shielding for fixtures over 1,000 lumens, exempting motion-detector lights, under City Code § 96.25.
To avoid light trespass and achieve compliance with regard to outdoor light fixtures emitting 600 lumens or more as defined in (B)(2) above, said outdoor light fixtures shall be frosted glass or covered by frosted glass or other similarly translucent cover. Additionally, an outdoor light fixture emitting more than 1,000 lumens, except motion detector-activated lighting, shall be fully shielded to an observer at the property line. This can be achieved with fixture location, mounting height, natural artificial barriers on the texture owner's property, fixture shielding and other fixture design features. (Ord. G-15-08, passed 12-9-08; Am. Ord. G-4-17, passed 3-14-17) **** UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS ****
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Fort Wayne's Code of Ordinances requires directional exterior lighting on residential property to be aimed away from adjoining residential lots to avoid light trespass, defined as glare on a line of sight five feet or more inside a neighbor's property line, or any residential outdoor fixture emitting 600 or more lumens. Fixtures emitting 600 lumens or more must use frosted glass or an equivalent translucent cover; fixtures emitting more than 1,000 lumens must be fully shielded from an observer at the property line, unless the fixture is motion-detector activated. Compliance can also be reached through fixture location, mounting height, aim, or natural barriers.
Violations & Fines
The Fort Wayne Police Department enforces this chapter. Violators face a fine of $150 to $500 per offense, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fort Wayne require shielded outdoor lighting?
What counts as light trespass in Fort Wayne?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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