St. Joseph County, IN Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Floodlight rule
- Must aim at building or be fully shielded
- Glare standard
- Main beam not visible from adjacent property or ROW
- Right-of-way rule
- Architectural and sign lights shielded from public roads
- Prohibited
- Flashing, rotating or blinking outdoor fixtures
- Permit review
- Lighting plan required with improvement location permit
- Enforcement
- Citation after 10-day notice, § 154.999
Summary
St. Joseph County limits floodlights and other outdoor fixtures so their beam cannot spill onto a neighbor's land or a public road. Under Zoning Ordinance § 154.351(K), a floodlight must be aimed at the building it illuminates, or shielded so its main beam is never visible from, or causes glare on, an adjacent property or right-of-way; § 154.351(J) applies the same rule to architectural and sign lighting facing a road.
(10)Glare on public right-of-way. Flag and statue lights, architectural lights, floodlights or sign lighting shall be so directed and shielded that the light element is not visible from any point along an adjacent public right-of-way.(11)Floodlights. Outdoor light fixtures equipped with floodlights may only be permitted on a lot as follows:(a)Floodlights shall be focused on the primary building or the area of the lot located between the floodlight and the primary building; or(b)Floodlights shall be shielded to the extent that the main beam from the luminaire is not visible from or causes any glare onto adjacent properties or rights-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
The county's outdoor lighting subchapter (§§ 154.350-154.355) governs any multi-family, special use, nonresidential, commercial, industrial, planned unit development or special use district property in the unincorporated county. Section 154.351(J) requires flag, statue, architectural, floodlight and sign lighting to be directed and shielded so the light element itself cannot be seen from any point on an adjacent public right-of-way, protecting drivers from glare. Section 154.351(K) then sets the trespass standard for floodlights specifically: a floodlight fixture may only be installed if it is focused on the primary building or on the strip of lot between the floodlight and that building, or if it is shielded so the main beam is not visible from, and causes no glare onto, any adjacent property or right-of-way.
The same subchapter separately prohibits any fixture that flashes, rotates, blinks or varies in intensity under § 154.355(1) and bars floodlights that do not meet these standards, along with unlisted fixture types such as stringer lights, under § 154.355(2). Outdoor strings of lights used to outline lot lines or display areas are likewise prohibited except when installed as an approved holiday decoration under § 154.353(1). Wall pack fixtures aimed toward a residential district or use must be full cutoff in every zoning district, including industrial, per § 154.351(G)(b).
Applications for an improvement location permit involving new lighting must include a lighting plan with fixture locations, specification sheets or photometric reports, and wattage, so the zoning administrator can confirm floodlights meet the glare standard before installation, under § 154.351(L).
Violations & Fines
A violation triggers a notice of zoning violation from the zoning administrator's staff, with ten days to correct before a citation and monetary fine can be issued under § 154.999(B)-(C). Each day the noncompliant floodlight or fixture remains uncorrected counts as a separate violation. Fines must be paid within 14 days in agricultural or residential districts, or seven days in business, commercial or industrial districts, or the county attorney may pursue a court action for an injunction and attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I point a floodlight at my neighbor's yard in St. Joseph County?
Are string lights or blinking lights allowed?
What if a light shines toward the road instead of a neighbor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Joseph County
Compare St. Joseph County to another location·View the Indiana outdoor lighting overview
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