Lighting Regulations in Aston Township, Pennsylvania: Balancing Safety, History, and Community Character

Introduction

Nestled in Delaware County, Aston Township has a rich historical legacy dating back to a 1682 land grant from William Penn himself. This 5.8-square-mile community has maintained its distinctive character through thoughtful development and preservation efforts over the centuries.

Today, Aston's lighting regulations reflect this careful balance between honoring historical roots and meeting modern needs. The township's approach to lighting demonstrates a commitment to safety, aesthetic quality, and community values—all while preserving the character that makes Aston special.

Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or developer in Aston Township, understanding these lighting requirements is essential for compliance and being a good neighbor.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here are the most critical lighting regulations in Aston Township:

• Street lighting must be installed in all subdivisions and land developments according to Township Engineer specifications
• Pedestrian lighting must be installed at 75-foot intervals along sidewalks using specific fixtures
• Sign illumination must be concealed or indirect and attached to the sign itself
• Parking areas with five or more spaces require adequate lighting for safety and security
• Light trespass prevention is required for all lighting installations to minimize impact on neighboring properties
• Public areas in multi-family dwellings require minimum 2 footcandles of illumination
• Working surfaces in certain businesses require 100 footcandles of illumination
• Billboard lighting cannot exceed 0.3 footcandles above ambient lighting

Street and Pedestrian Lighting Requirements

Subdivision and Development Requirements

Street lighting in Aston Township must follow specific guidelines to maintain community standards:

• Street lights must be installed in all subdivisions and land developments
• Installation must comply with Township Engineer and utility company specifications
• Exact locations must be indicated on final development plans

Pedestrian Pathway Standards

The township places importance on safe, well-lit walkways with specific requirements:

• Pedestrian-level lighting installed at 75 feet on center along sidewalks
• Light poles located in street front common use areas or township-approved locations
• Light fixture specifications: Spring City Center City fixture, 13-foot cast ductile iron Parkwood pole, painted black, 120-watt LED
• Electricity and installation costs paid by property or business owners
• All lighting subject to Pennsylvania UCC energy code requirements

Community-Oriented Design

These requirements aim to create a pedestrian-friendly character throughout the township with:

• Common use areas, courtyards, and plazas
• Coordinated street furnishings
• Ornamental lighting
• Pedestrian-scale signage and wayfinding

Residential Lighting Standards

Multi-Family Dwelling Requirements

Residential complexes have specific lighting needs to ensure safety:

• Public halls and stairways in multiple dwellings require 2 footcandles of light at all times
• Natural lighting may replace electrical lighting during daylight hours if providing equivalent illumination
• Every public hall, water closet, bathroom, laundry room, and furnace room requires at least one electric light fixture
• Habitable rooms requiring artificial light must have at least 15 footcandles of intensity at 30 inches from the floor

Townhouse Development Lighting

For townhouse developments, lighting must be thoughtfully designed:

• Lighting facilities must protect internal roadways from excessive glare
• All internal roads, driveways, parking, and pedestrian areas must be properly lit
• Lighting must ensure safe conditions and security for residents

Garden Apartment Standards

Garden apartment developments have their own lighting requirements:

• All internal streets must be lit to ensure safe driving conditions at night
• Lighting must provide security for residents
• Design must prevent creation of nuisance for adjacent properties

Commercial and Business Lighting

General Commercial Requirements

Commercial properties must maintain adequate lighting without causing disturbance:

• Spaces between buildings, parking, loading areas, and service areas require adequate illumination
• Lighting must not create direct glare or hazardous interference with surrounding streets and properties
• No direct or sky-reflected glare may be visible at property lines (with exceptions for permitted sign/parking lighting)

Parking Area Illumination

Parking facilities have specific lighting requirements:

• All parking areas with five or more spaces must be adequately lit
• Lighting must allow for safe vehicle maneuvering
• Lighting must provide security for users
• Arrangement must avoid glare on adjacent properties
• Landscaping should reduce glare from automobile lights

Specialty Business Requirements

Certain businesses have unique lighting standards:

• Beauty establishments:
• General illumination of at least 10 footcandles at 30 inches above floor level
• 100 footcandles required at working surfaces where services are provided and tools are cleaned
• Illumination must be reasonably free from glare and distributed to avoid shadows

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Sign Lighting Requirements

Aston Township has strict regulations for sign illumination:

• Most signs may only be illuminated by concealed or indirect lighting attached to the sign itself
• Signs must not cause glare or interfere with traffic
• Externally illuminated signs must be turned off within 30 minutes after business closing
• Illuminated signs must remain off when businesses are closed
• All illuminated signs must use non-glare style illumination

Billboard-Specific Standards

Billboards have additional lighting restrictions:

• Must include automatic light output adjustment to minimize brightness
• Light intensity cannot exceed 0.3 footcandles above ambient lighting
• Must be extinguished from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. when visible from residential districts
• Must be internally lit with no exterior lighting (except for safety/maintenance as approved)
• Must follow Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) standards

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for Development

When planning new construction or renovations:

• Submit an outdoor lighting plan for review with development applications
• Include lighting standard locations, directions, and heights in site plans
• Consider coordinated lighting design that supports unified development
• For commercial projects, ensure adequately lit entrances and window areas during evening hours

Safety and Security Considerations

Safety remains a primary concern in lighting requirements:

• Provide adequate outside lighting to prevent vandalism and ensure patron/resident safety
• Ensure public plazas include appropriate lighting along with other amenities
• Remember that inadequate illumination can be grounds for determining a property as unfit for habitation

Aesthetic Considerations

Lighting plays an important role in architectural and aesthetic design:

• Consider lighting as architectural elements to help break up walls without window treatments
• Coordinate site design elements including wayfinding, lighting, and site amenities
• For historic properties, balance modern lighting needs with preservation of character

Supporting Aston Township's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands the importance of lighting in preserving community character while meeting modern needs. We appreciate Aston Township's thoughtful approach to balancing safety, functionality, and historical preservation through its lighting regulations.

Our expertise in regional architectural styles and understanding of communities like Aston Township allows us to serve as a resource for property owners navigating lighting requirements. We're committed to supporting sustainable and responsible lighting practices that align with Aston's community values.

As a company with deep regional roots, we understand the unique challenges of maintaining distinctive community character while meeting contemporary standards for safety and efficiency. Our experience with projects that respect community aesthetics can help property owners implement lighting solutions that honor Aston's rich historical legacy.

Conclusion

Aston Township's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to maintaining community character while ensuring safety and functionality. From specific technical requirements for street lighting to guidelines for residential and commercial properties, these standards work together to create a cohesive community aesthetic.

Property owners should view these lighting requirements not just as regulations to follow, but as an opportunity to contribute positively to Aston's distinctive environment. By understanding and implementing these standards, residents and businesses help preserve the balance between historical character and modern needs that makes Aston Township special.

Whether installing new lighting or upgrading existing systems, keeping these regulations in mind will ensure your project enhances both your property and the broader community.