Dearborn limits light trespass onto residential properties to 0.5 foot-candles at the property line for commercial sites. Residential light trespass is handled under the nuisance ordinance.
Light trespass in Dearborn is the unwanted spillover of artificial light from one property to another. The Zoning Ordinance requires outdoor site lighting on commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties to be designed and installed so that no more than 0.5 foot-candles of illumination falls at a residential property line. Photometric plans are required at site plan review for new commercial construction and major site modifications. Residential-to-residential light trespass is not specifically regulated by a foot-candle standard but is addressed under the general nuisance ordinance in Chapter 12 of the City Code, which allows enforcement when lighting unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of a neighboring home. Typical complaints involve misaimed security floodlights and uncovered pole barn lights. The Building and Safety Division handles complaints jointly with Dearborn Police. Remedies include re-aiming the fixture, adding a shield, or switching to a lower-output lamp.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Dearborn, MI
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
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