Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code tit. III, ch. 744, art. VI — STREET AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County of Indianapolis-Marion County (Supp. No. 47, Update 2: codified through Ordinance No. 42, 2026, passed June 1, 2026) — City of Indianapolis

Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 744-601 Street lighting.

Sec. 744-601. - Street lighting. A. All subdivisions that include a new street shall provide street light at each access point to the existing street network, at each street intersection within the subdivision, and along each subdivision street at a maximum spacing of 250 feet placed along one side or alternating sides. B. Each required street light shall be a full cutoff fixture. C. In Dwelling and Mixed-Use Districts, each required street light fixture shall have a color rendering index of 70 or above. D. All street lighting fixtures shall produce at least 80 lumens per watt of energy consumed, as documented by manufacturer's specifications or the results of an independent testing laboratory. (G.O. 64, 2015, § 2)

Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 744-602 Exterior lighting applicability.

Sec. 744-602. - Exterior lighting applicability. A. General. All exterior lighting for development in any District after the first day of the month that is six months after the date of adoption shall comply with the standards of this Chapter 744 Article VI unless excepted in Section 744-602.B. below. This includes, but is not limited to, new lighting or replacement equipment exclusive of lamp replacement, whether attached to structures, poles, the earth, or any other location, including lighting installed by any third party. B. Exceptions. The following types of lighting are not subject to the requirements of this Chapter 744, Article VI Street and Exterior Lighting: 1. Lighting of public monuments and statuary; 2. Lighting required and regulated by the FAA or another agency of the state or federal government with authority to regulate that type of lighting; 3. Temporary lighting for emergency or nighttime work and construction; 4. Temporary lighting for theatrical, television and performance areas, or for special public events; 5. Lighting for a special area designated for special lighting standards in an adopted plan or ordinance, such as Regional Center or an IHPC District Plan; and 6. Temporary decorative seasonal lighting. (G.O. 64, 2015, § 2)

Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 744-603 Required lighting.

Sec. 744-603. - Required lighting. A. Each pedestrian entrance, excluding exits for emergency use only, shall have a full cutoff light fixture and be controlled with a photoelectric switch, motion sensor control, or astronomic time switch. B. For all uses except single-family detached dwellings, single-family attached dwellings, two-family dwellings, triplexes, and fourplexes, exterior lighting devices shall be provided for all parking areas, walkways, exterior automatic teller machines, and automobile fueling stations. (G.O. 64, 2015, § 2)

Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 744-604 Lighting standards.

Sec. 744-604. - Lighting standards. A. Where exterior lighting is provided, lighting levels for all areas and shall be designed and located so that the illumination measured in foot-candles at grade level shall comply with the standards in the following table unless the applicant requests an alternative lighting level for a specific area and supports that request with information that the requested lighting level is consistent with recommended levels in the Illuminating Engineers Society of North America (IESNA) Lighting Handbook. Table 744-604-1: Light Level Standards (in foot-candles) Use | Minimum at Entrances | Minimum for Walkways and Parking Areas | Maximum Average for Walkways and Parking Areas | Maximum at Non-Right-of-Way Property Line | Maximum at Right-of-Way Residential Uses | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 Automobile Fueling Station; Financial and Insurance Services; Food, Beverage, and Indoor Recreation and Entertainment; Retail, Light General; Grocery Store; Liquor Store; Pawn Shop; or Commercial Parking Garage Uses | 4.0 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 All Other Uses (including Mixed-Use Development) | 3.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 B. All light sources or lamps that emit more than 900 lumens (13-watt compact fluorescent or 60-watt incandescent) shall be concealed or shielded with an Illuminations Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) full cutoff light fixture with an angle not exceeding 90 degrees to minimize the potential for glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property. [image omitted; see the official code] Diagram J Full cutoff light C. Private street or pedestrian lighting devices for nonresidential uses and multifamily uses may be mounted at heights between ground level to 42 inches above grade level or from 10 to 20 feet above grade level. D. The maximum height of any lighting pole serving a residential use is 20 feet. The maximum height serving all other types of use is 35 feet, except that in the I-3 and I-4 Districts the maximum pole height is 50 feet and in the C-5 and C-7 Districts for active recreational areas and uses the maximum pole height is 80 feet. E. Lighting devices for active recreational areas and uses, such as ball diamonds, playing fields, and tennis courts, shall be equipped with switching devices that allow lighting levels to be changed when the active recreational use ceases and a lower lighting level is sufficient, shall be extinguished no later than 11:00 p.m., shall have a maximum illumination at the property line that is no greater than two foot-candles, and light poles shall not be more than 80 feet tall. F. In order to accommodate wind energy conversion systems or solar energy collectors on lighting poles, the pole height may be increased to 55 feet, but the lighting fixture height shall remain as stated in subsection D. above. G. Lighting on automobile service station, convenience store and other outdoor canopies shall be fully recessed into the canopy and shall not protrude downward beyond the ceiling of the canopy. H. High pressure sodium lighting and all lighting devices with a color rendering index of 70 or below are prohibited in Dwelling and Mixed-Use Districts. I. All exterior lighting fixtures shall produce at least 80 lumens per watt of energy consumed, as documented by manufacturer's specifications or the results of an independent testing laboratory. [image omitted; see the official code] Diagram K Full cutoff light fixture examples (G.O. 64, 2015, § 2)