Novi, MI Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Chapter 21, Division 11 of the Novi City Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 12-179 on August 27, 2012, governs 'nuisance lighting' citywide. Section 21-203(b) requires that all non-exempt exterior light fixtures, including floodlights and spotlights, be aimed, directed or focused away from private residential premises and away from public streets or sidewalks so no light projects onto those areas. Fixtures must be shielded so the lamp or bulb itself is hidden from view and the light is directed downward, never up or sideways. The only fixtures excused from the shielding requirement are decorative exterior fixtures rated at 1,700 lumens or less that also comply with the illumination cap in subsection (a), roughly equivalent to a 75-watt incandescent bulb.

Section 21-202 exempts emergency and municipal vehicles, lighting on public property, utility emergency repairs, lighting shown on an approved site plan, low-wattage seasonal decorations lasting 60 days or less, covered-porch fixtures under 1,700 lumens, and motion-activated security lights that run no more than 15 minutes per activation and are not triggered by routine passing traffic. Section 21-204 makes any violation a civil infraction, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate violation, and Section 1-11(c)(2) sets the default civil-infraction fine at $200 for a first offense and up to $500 for a repeat offense within three years, plus costs.

Section 21-205 holds the property owner responsible for compliance regardless of residency and lets the city issue citations off its own land-ownership tax records, while residents at the property share responsibility too. Community Development's code enforcement staff investigate complaints and issue the citations; there is no separate lighting permit process outside a site plan review.