Allen County, IN Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Spillover limit
- Zero foot-candles at residential line
- Exception
- Along street right-of-way
- Fixture standard
- IESNA full-cutoff, shielded
- Uplighting
- No spill past facade
- Enforcement
- Department of Planning Services
Summary
The Allen County Zoning Ordinance limits light spillover onto neighbors: where nonresidential development adjoins a residential district, zero foot-candles of light may be emitted along that property line (except along a street frontage), and lighting must use shielded full-cutoff fixtures.
Except for the portion of the property adjoining a street right-of-way, where nonresidential development is proposed adjacent to residential districts, zero foot-candles of light may be emitted by the nonresidential development along the property line with the residential district.
Full Breakdown
Under A.C.C. 3-4-4-18, except for the portion of a property adjoining a street right-of-way, where nonresidential development is proposed adjacent to residential districts, zero foot-candles of light may be emitted along the property line with the residential district. All exterior lighting must use IESNA full-cutoff, shielded fixtures to minimize glare and diffusion onto adjacent property, and uplighting is allowed only where shielded so no light escapes beyond the building facade. Together these provisions control light trespass onto neighboring homes. Property owners troubled by spillover from a covered development should document it and contact the Department of Planning Services.
Violations & Fines
Lighting that exceeds the zero-foot-candle limit at a residential boundary or is not properly shielded can be cited by Planning Services, with correction required as a condition of the site's permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business shine light onto my house?
Does the county set a numeric light-spill limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allen County
Compare Allen County to another location·View the Indiana outdoor lighting overview
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