Carmel, IN Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Lot-line spill cap
- 0.1 foot-candle
- Measured where
- At or beyond lot line
- Overlay fixtures
- Concealed, low-level
- Rooftop lighting
- Prohibited (overlays)
- Code section
- UDO 5.02(B)(4)
Summary
Carmel's UDO caps light trespass at the property line: no lighting may cause illumination at or beyond any lot line in excess of 0.1 foot-candle. Overlay districts additionally require concealed, low-level fixtures and prohibit rooftop lighting.
Lighting: No lighting shall cause Illumination at or beyond any Lot Line in excess of 0.1 Foot-candle of light.
Full Breakdown
Light trespass in Carmel is controlled by UDO Section 5.02(B)(4), which prohibits any lighting from causing illumination at or beyond a lot line greater than 0.1 foot-candle. This measured, enforceable standard protects neighboring properties from spill from floodlights, security lights, and landscape lighting. In overlay districts, Section 3.11 requires exterior lighting to be architecturally integrated and generated from concealed, low-level fixtures, with rooftop lighting prohibited and parking-lot light poles limited to 25 feet (15 feet within 90 feet of single-family residential). Community Services enforces these standards on complaint or during site-plan review.
Violations & Fines
Lighting that measures more than 0.1 foot-candle at a neighbor's lot line, or unshielded fixtures in overlays, violates the UDO and can be ordered corrected with fines for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
My neighbor's light shines into my yard - is that illegal?
How is light trespass measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carmel
Compare Carmel to another location·View the Indiana outdoor lighting overview
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