West Allis, WI Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Bare bulbs
- prohibited on signs
- Flashing/rotating lights
- not permitted
- Glare standard
- no light onto adjacent property
- Enforcer
- Code Enforcement Department
Summary
West Allis requires all illuminated sign lighting to be installed so it doesn't cast glare or reflection onto a neighboring property or create a traffic hazard on the street.
Lighting. Bare light bulbs shall not be permitted. No flashing, blinking or rotating lights shall be permitted for either permanent or temporary signs. Illumination shall be so installed to avoid any glare or reflection into any adjacent property, or onto a street or alley to create a traffic hazard as determined by the Code Enforcement Department. Prohibited Signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following signs: [Ord. O-2012-0028, 3/6/2012] Flashing signs. Portable signs. Pennants or streamers. Abandoned signs/structures. Snipe signs—signs in, on or over public property; excluding those regulated in Section 13.21(11). Signs that interfere with traffic. Nonpolitical signs greater than six (6) square feet on a residential use property; not including residential properties over three-family, which are regulated by the Plan Commission under the master sign program, Section 13.21(13). All prohibited signs not mentioned in this section. Signs in the Public Right-of-Way. No sign, pennant, flag or banner shall be erected, placed, located or maintained within the limits of any street or highway unless allowed as hereafter stated. Street or highway limits include all the dedicated rights-of-way, encompassing the traveled portion of the highway, shoulders, sidewalks, ditches and adjacent dedicated areas. This prohibition applies to freestanding signs and those placed on trees, utility poles, fence post stakes and all other structures within the highway limits.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: ?).
Full Breakdown
The Sign Code's lighting standard applies citywide, not just downtown: bare bulbs are banned on any sign, flashing, blinking or rotating lights aren't permitted on permanent or temporary signage, and illumination must be installed so it avoids casting glare or reflection onto adjacent property or into the street or alley in a way that creates a traffic hazard. The Code Enforcement Department makes the call on whether a sign's lighting crosses that line. West Allis doesn't have a separate general outdoor-lighting ordinance for floodlights or security lights, this sign-specific glare rule is the city's closest local light-trespass standard.
Violations & Fines
Installing bare bulbs, flashing or rotating sign lights, or sign illumination that casts glare or reflection onto a neighbor's property or the street violates this standard and is enforceable by Code Enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does West Allis regulate light trespass from signs onto neighboring property?
Is there a general outdoor lighting ordinance in West Allis for floodlights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Allis
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