Milton, WI Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Code § 78-06.20(5)
- Property-line cap
- 1.0 foot-candle above ambient
- Nonresidential average cap
- 3.0 foot-candles
- Fixture type required
- Full cut-off, downward facing
- Max fixture height (SR-7/SR-10)
- 8 feet
- Max fixture height (LI/GI/HI)
- 30 feet
Summary
Milton, Wisconsin's zoning code caps outdoor illumination at 1.0 foot-candle at the property line above ambient conditions and requires full cut-off, downward-facing fixtures citywide. Fixture mounting heights are also capped by zoning district, from 8 feet in single-family districts up to 30 feet in heavy industrial zones.
(c)Intensity of illumination.1.In no instance shall the amount of illumination attributable to exterior lighting, as measured at the property line, exceed 1.0 foot-candles above ambient lighting conditions on a cloudless night.2.The maximum average on-site lighting in nonresidential zoning districts shall be 3.0 foot-candles.3.The maximum average on-site lighting in residential parking lots, regardless of zoning district shall be 1.0 foot-candles. ... (d)Fixtures and luminaries.1.Outdoor lighting shall be full cut-off fixtures and downward facing and no direct light shall transmit onto adjacent properties.a.Exempt from this requirement are decorative light fixtures with frosted glass lamps, and any fixtures using a light bulb with a factory-rated light output of 1,700 lumens or less, including 100-watt incandescent bulbs and 100-watt-equivalent compact fluorescent bulbs. ... 4.The maximum fixture mounting height by zoning district shall be:a.8 feet in the SR-7, SR-10, TF-8, TF-10, and CON zoning districts.b.12 feet in the MH-7, MR-10, MR-20, NMU, RH-35 zoning districts.c.20 feet in the I, SMU, CMU, IOS, IOC, AO, and EX zoning districts.d.30 feet in the LI, GI, and HI zoning districts.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 0 foot-candle above ambient conditions, measured at the property line on a cloudless night. 0 when the business is closed). Subsection (d) requires outdoor lighting to use full cut-off, downward-facing fixtures with no direct light crossing onto adjacent property, exempting only decorative frosted-glass fixtures and low-output bulbs of 1,700 lumens or less (including standard 100-watt incandescent bulbs). Fixture mounting height is capped by zoning district: 8 feet in the SR-7, SR-10, TF-8, TF-10, and CON districts; 12 feet in MH-7, MR-10, MR-20, NMU, and RH-35; 20 feet in I, SMU, CMU, IOS, IOC, and AO; and 30 feet in LI, GI, and HI.
Review happens through the site plan process under Sec. 42, and fixtures lawfully in place before the chapter's effective date are treated as legal nonconforming.
Violations & Fines
Lighting violations are enforced by the zoning administrator under Sec. 78-10.60, which authorizes a correction notice, referral to the city attorney for prosecution, or a court injunction. Forfeitures follow the Chapter 1 general penalty: $50 to $500 for a first offense and $100 to $1,000 for a repeat offense of the same provision, plus costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Milton require shielded outdoor light fixtures?
How bright can a Milton business light its parking lot?
How tall can a light pole be in a Milton commercial district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milton
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