Allen County, IN Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture standard
- IESNA full-cutoff, shielded
- Applies to
- Non single/two-family development
- Uplighting
- Only if no spill past facade
- Residential pole height
- 25 feet max
- Dedicated dark-sky code
- None adopted
Summary
The Allen County Zoning Ordinance requires exterior lighting (other than single- and two-family dwellings) to use full-cutoff, shielded fixtures to minimize glare. Residential light poles are capped at 25 feet, and there is no separate dark-sky lumens ordinance.
Any freestanding or wall pack light source or lamp shall be concealed or shielded with an Illuminations Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) full-cutoff style fixture to minimize the potential for glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property.
Full Breakdown
Under A.C.C. 3-4-4-18, exterior lighting for all development other than single-family and two-family dwellings must comply with the design standards, and any freestanding or wall-pack light source or lamp must be concealed or shielded with an Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) full-cutoff style fixture to minimize glare and diffusion onto adjacent property. Uplighting is allowed only where directed and shielded so no light escapes beyond the building facade. The maximum height of a lighting pole serving a residential use is 25 feet. These shielded, full-cutoff requirements limit upward sky glow even though the county has no dedicated dark-sky code.
Violations & Fines
Non-shielded or non-conforming lighting can be cited as a zoning violation; the Department of Planning Services may require correction as a condition of the site's Improvement Location Permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Allen County require shielded outdoor lights?
How tall can a light pole be at a home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allen County
Compare Allen County to another location·View the Indiana outdoor lighting overview
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