Porter County, IN Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture standard
- Full cutoff, fully shielded required
- Facade lighting
- Ground up-lighting prohibited
- Parking lot cap
- 25 feet to bottom of luminaire
- Shielding hardware
- Must be permanently affixed
- Effective date
- June 15, 2007 (UDO §5.28)
Summary
Every outdoor light fixture regulated under Porter County's Unified Development Ordinance must be full cutoff and fully shielded, and ground-mounted up-lighting aimed at building facades is banned outright. Parking lot fixtures carry the same shielding rule plus a twenty-five-foot height cap, and shielding hardware has to be permanently attached.
3. Ground Lighting: a. Architectural: The external illumination of any structure shall be done using full cut-off, fully-shielded, wall-mounted luminaires. Up-lighting from ground-mounted fixtures is prohibited. ... 5. Luminaire: All luminaires shall be full cutoff and fully-shielded.
Full Breakdown
Porter County's dark-sky style lighting standard is folded into the same lighting chapter as its light-trespass cap, effective June 15, 2007. 28 LT-01(A)(3)(a) governs how buildings can be lit: 'The external illumination of any structure shall be done using full cut-off, fully-shielded, wall-mounted luminaires. ' That single sentence eliminates the classic uplit facade look anywhere in unincorporated Porter County. 28 LT-01(A)(4)). 28 LT-01(B): fixtures must be consistent in color, size, height, and design; must use full cutoff, fully shielded luminaires; and cannot exceed twenty-five feet in height measured to the bottom of the luminaire. Sign lighting is covered too. 28 LT-01(A)(3)(b)).
Violations & Fines
Installing an unshielded fixture, ground-mounted up-lighting on a building facade, or an oversized parking lot pole is a Unified Development Ordinance violation subject to Chapter 11 enforcement. The Plan Commission can order the fixture replaced or re-aimed, and a court-imposed fine under §11.09 runs $50 to $2,500 per day the noncompliant fixture stays in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uplight my building's facade in Porter County?
Is there a height limit for parking lot lights?
What counts as a fully shielded fixture under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Porter County
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