Porter County, IN Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Base limit
- 5 lux at property line
- Commercial/industrial exception
- 20 lux
- Industrial/industrial exception
- 40 lux
- Measurement method
- 5-foot height, meter faces center
- Effective date
- June 15, 2007 (UDO §5.28)
Summary
Porter County's UDO caps light spilling onto a neighboring property line at five lux, with higher limits only where commercial or industrial parcels sit next to similarly zoned land. Inspectors measure compliance with a light meter held at five feet, aimed at the center of the lit property.
1. Light Trespass: The maximum allowable light at a property line is five (5) lux. The only exceptions to this standard are as follows: a. When the subject property is located within a commercial zoning district and the adjacent property is also located within a commercial zoning district or an industrial zoning district, then the allowable light at the property line is twenty (20) lux, but only along the sides of the property that are adjacent to the specified zoning districts. b. When the subject property is located within an industrial zoning district and the adjacent property is also located within an industrial zoning district, then the allowable light at the property line is forty (40) lux, but only along the sides of the property that are adjacent to the specified zoning districts.
Full Breakdown
Porter County's outdoor lighting standards took effect June 15, 2007 as part of the Unified Development Ordinance and apply countywide to every zoning district. 28 LT-01(A)(1)(a)-(b)). The county specifies exactly how inspectors check compliance. ' That gives code enforcement a repeatable field test rather than a subjective glare complaint standard. 28 LT-01(A)(4)), and any shielding hardware must be permanently affixed rather than removable. 28 LT-01(A)(6)).
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the five-lux property-line limit, or the 20/40-lux commercial and industrial exceptions, is a Unified Development Ordinance violation subject to Chapter 11 enforcement. The Plan Commission's Executive Director can order fixture correction, and a court-imposed fine under §11.09 runs $50 to $2,500 per day the excess light continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can spill onto my neighbor's property in Porter County?
How does the county measure light trespass?
Are there separate rules for sports field lighting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Porter County
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