Dixmont, ME Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Light at lot line
- No more than 0.5 foot-candles
- Fixtures
- Shielded or hooded
- Curfew
- Off 11 P.M. to 6 A.M., except security lighting
- Review body
- Planning Board (Section 6)
- Enforcing officer
- Code Enforcement Officer (Section 5)
- Exempt
- Single-family and two-family dwellings
Summary
Under Dixmont's Site Plan Review Ordinance, exterior lighting on a reviewed development cannot produce deleterious effects on abutting properties, and illumination must not exceed 0.5 foot-candles at the lot line or upon abutting residential properties. Fixtures must be shielded or hooded. The rule binds nonresidential and multifamily projects that need Planning Board approval, not single-family homes.
The proposed development must have adequate exterior lighting to provide for its safe use during nighttime hours, if such use is contemplated. Lighting may be used which serves security, safety and operational needs but which does not directly or indirectly produce deleterious effects on abutting properties or which would impair the vision of a vehicle operator on adjacent roadways. Lighting fixtures must be shielded or hooded so that the lighting elements are not exposed to normal view by motorists, pedestrians, or from adjacent dwellings and so that they do not unnecessarily light the night sky. Direct or indirect illumination must not exceed 0.5 foot-candles at the lot line or upon abutting residential properties. All exterior lighting, except security lighting, must be turned off between 11 P.M. and 6 A.M. unless located on the site of a commercial or industrial use which is open for business during that period.
Full Breakdown
Section 9.23, Exterior Lighting, is tagged (AS/PS), so it works as both an approval standard and a performance standard, and Section 9.24 requires the applicant to show the development is designed to comply with the Performance Standards. The section starts from safe use: a development must have adequate exterior lighting for nighttime use if such use is contemplated. Lighting that serves security, safety and operational needs is allowed, but it cannot directly or indirectly produce deleterious effects on abutting properties or impair the vision of a vehicle operator on adjacent roadways. Fixtures must be shielded or hooded so the lighting elements are not exposed to normal view by motorists, pedestrians, or from adjacent dwellings. The measurable limit is 0.5 foot-candles of direct or indirect illumination at the lot line or upon abutting residential properties.
A curfew follows. All exterior lighting, except security lighting, must be turned off between 11 P.M. and 6 A.M. unless it sits on the site of a commercial or industrial use that is open for business during that period. Section 8.3 adds a paper requirement: the submission must show the location and type of exterior lighting.
Scope matters. Site plan approval is required for a new nonresidential building or structure greater than 2,500 sq. ft. within any five-year period, any structure greater than 40 feet in height, expansion of an existing nonresidential use by more than 2,500 sq. ft., a new nonresidential use, and new paved area for nonresidential use of more than 2,500 square feet. Section 2.2 exempts single-family and two-family dwellings. The Planning Board reviews and acts on site plans under Section 6. Dixmont has no general zoning ordinance, so this is not a townwide residential lighting rule. Two other posted ordinances carry their own lighting lines: the Mining Ordinance (Section IX(J)) and the Mobile Home Park Ordinance, which says lights "shall be sized and directed to avoid adverse impact on adjacent properties." The posted PDF is titled "Adopted 3-15-24."
Violations & Fines
Under Section 5, the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) gives written notice to the person responsible, naming the violation and ordering the action needed to correct it, and can order discontinuance of illegal use or work. If that fails, the Municipal Officers institute legal or equitable action on the CEO's written notification. An owner or person in control of the premises can be fined under Title 30-A section 4452, and each day a violation is permitted to exist after notification is a separate offense. Administrative consent agreements are authorized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can a business light be at the property line in Dixmont?
Do the lighting rules apply to my single-family house?
When must a Dixmont business turn its lights off?
What must be shown on the application about lighting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dixmont
Compare Dixmont to another location·View the Maine outdoor lighting overview
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