Lighting Regulations in Belgrade, Montana: Balancing Growth and Community Character

Introduction: Belgrade's Commitment to Quality Lighting

Founded in 1881, Belgrade, Montana has evolved from a modest railroad siding to a vibrant community with a distinct small-town atmosphere. Named after the Serbian capital as a gesture of gratitude to Serbian investors who helped finance the Northern Pacific Railroad, Belgrade has maintained its commitment to preserving community character while accommodating growth.

Located just 10 miles west of Bozeman in Gallatin County, Belgrade is the largest city in Montana that isn't a county seat. As the city has grown and diversified its economic base with businesses in biotechnology, manufacturing, retail, and agriculture, its leadership has implemented lighting regulations that reflect both practical needs and community values.

Belgrade's lighting regulations serve multiple purposes: minimizing light pollution, preventing light trespass onto neighboring properties, reducing glare, conserving energy, and maintaining the city's aesthetic standards—all while ensuring safety and security for residents and businesses.

Quick Reference Guide: Critical Lighting Requirements

Before diving into specifics, here's a summary of the most important lighting regulations in Belgrade:

• Light Trespass: All light trespass is strictly prohibited
• Cutoff Requirements: Area lights and streetlights must be full or semi cut-off fixtures
• Commercial Properties: Non-essential exterior lighting must be turned off after business hours
• Compliance Timeline:
• Multifamily, commercial, industrial properties: 1 year to comply
• Residential properties: 3 years to comply
• Illumination Standards: Must follow IESNA (Illumination Engineering Society of North America) recommended levels
• Electronic Message Centers: Must automatically dim based on ambient light conditions and turn off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if within 300 feet of residential areas

General Outdoor Lighting Requirements

Purpose and Applicability

Belgrade's lighting standards aim to mitigate light pollution, prevent light trespass and glare, conserve energy, protect natural resources, and facilitate safety and security. These regulations apply to all exterior lighting fixtures installed after the code's effective date, regardless of zoning classification or property ownership.

Core Lighting Standards

• Light Trespass Prevention: All light trespass is prohibited
• Fixture Requirements: Area lights, including streetlights and parking area lighting, must be full or semi cut-off fixtures
• Canopy Lighting: Must be recessed to prevent light spill onto adjacent properties or rights-of-way
• Illumination Levels: Must comply with current IESNA recommended standards and not exceed them
• Verification Process: Developers or builders must verify in writing that outdoor lights were installed according to approved photometric plans
• After-Hours Lighting: All non-essential exterior commercial and residential lighting must be turned off after business hours or when not in use
• Water Bodies: Outdoor lighting must not illuminate non-navigable public bodies of water

Special Applications

• Accent Lighting: In non-residential zones, accent lighting must be directed downward onto the illuminated object, not upward into the sky or onto adjacent properties
• Communication Towers: Towers requiring lights must have dual lighting capabilities—white strobe lights for daytime and only red lights for nighttime
• Uplighting: Generally prohibited except when the fixture is shielded by a roof overhang or similar structural shield, with plans stamped by a licensed architect or engineer

Motion-Activated Security Lighting

The code specifically permits motion-activated, intermittent home security lighting within residential zones, allowing homeowners to maintain security while minimizing continuous light output.

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Service Stations

• Maximum Illumination: Lighting levels cannot exceed 30 footcandles, as established by IESNA for urban service stations
• Compliance Deadline: Existing service stations must comply within one year of the code's effective date

Outdoor Recreation Facilities

• Shielding Requirements: Must conform to general shielding requirements except when such shielding would interfere with the intended activity (baseball, softball, football, etc.)
• Partially Shielded Options: For sports facilities, partially shielded luminaries may be permitted with special city approval when steps have been taken to minimize glare and light trespass
• Operating Hours: Illumination must be turned off between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Street and Yard Lighting

The code requires street and yard lights to be:

• Attached to city-approved light structures
• Provided in sufficient number and intensity to permit safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians at night
• Effectively related to buildings, trees, walks, steps, and ramps

Sign Illumination Standards

Permitted Illumination Types

Belgrade's code establishes clear parameters for sign illumination across different districts:

• External Illumination: Permitted for all sign types throughout the city
• Internally Lit Lettering: Permitted in specific districts (R, N, MU, CL, CC, DD, FE, I, ID, and EI Districts)
• Internally Lit Cabinet Signs: Permitted only in MU, CC, FE, and I Districts
• Neon Signs: Permitted in select districts with special internal staff design review to ensure they aren't excessively bright or visually dominating

Residential Sign Lighting

• Individual Dwelling Signs: May only use external light sources, which must be shielded from public view and directed solely toward the permitted signage
• Multi-Unit Residential & Subdivision Entrance Signs: External illumination only, with light sources shielded from public view and rights-of-way

Electronic Message Centers (EMCs)

EMCs must meet strict technical requirements:

• Automatic Dimming: Must include photocell technology that adjusts brightness based on ambient light conditions
• Brightness Limitations: Cannot increase by more than 0.3 foot candles over ambient levels
• Measurement Standards: Must follow International Sign Association's Recommended Nighttime Brightness Levels
• Malfunction Safeguards: Must be designed to display a full black screen or turn off entirely in case of malfunction
• Residential Proximity: EMCs within 300 feet of residential areas must automatically turn off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Prohibited Sign Lighting

The code expressly prohibits:

• Flashing lights or changing colors (except for permitted EMCs)
• Signs with animation, moving parts, or intermittent lighting
• Illumination that causes glare visible to pedestrians or drivers
• Brightness levels that cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential areas

Exemptions to Lighting Regulations

Belgrade's code provides reasonable exemptions for specific lighting types:

• Municipal Street Lighting: Full cutoff street lighting that is part of federal, state, or municipal installations
• Holiday Lighting: Seasonal decorations don't require shielding if used for no more than 75 consecutive days
• Safety Lighting: Specialized lighting necessary for safety, such as airport navigation, runway lighting, emergency operations, and roadway hazard warnings
• Flag Illumination: Lighting of the United States flag pursuant to U.S. Flag Code guidelines
• Sports Fields: Subject to specific provisions in the general standards

Tree Management and Lighting

The city code includes provisions regarding trees and lighting:

• Pruning Requirements: Every owner of trees overhanging streets or rights-of-way must prune branches so they don't severely obstruct light from streetlamps
• City Authority: The city has the right to prune trees or shrubs on private property when they interfere with proper spread of light from streetlights or visibility of traffic control devices

Compliance Timeline and Enforcement

The code establishes clear deadlines for bringing existing lighting into compliance:

• Multifamily, Commercial & Industrial Properties: One year to achieve compliance
• Residential Properties: Three years to achieve compliance
• Service Stations: One year to achieve compliance
• Street Lights: Replacement required when existing non-compliant fixtures become inoperable

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning New Projects

If you're planning new construction or exterior renovations in Belgrade:

• Verification Requirements: Be prepared to verify in writing that your outdoor lighting installations match approved photometric plans
• Technical Expertise: For certain lighting applications, you may need a lighting plan stamped by a licensed architect or engineer
• Permits: Remember that permits for structures like chicken coops that may include lighting require separate approval for lighting elements

Existing Property Considerations

If you own property with existing exterior lighting:

• Compliance Period: Note your deadline based on property type (1-3 years)
• Light Trespass: Evaluate whether your current lighting spills onto neighboring properties
• Non-Essential Lighting: Establish protocols to turn off non-essential exterior lighting after business hours

Supporting Belgrade's Lighting Vision

As Belgrade balances growth with maintaining its small-town character, proper lighting plays a crucial role in preserving community aesthetics while ensuring safety and functionality. Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the importance of lighting regulations that both protect community character and accommodate modern needs.

Our experience working with communities similar to Belgrade has taught us the value of balancing technological advances with respect for local character and traditions. We appreciate Belgrade's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations that prevent light pollution while maintaining safety standards.

Bock Lighting shares Belgrade's commitment to sustainable lighting practices and can serve as a resource for property owners navigating these regulations. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs allows us to provide guidance that supports Belgrade's community vision and regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

Belgrade's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to managing growth while preserving its distinctive small-town atmosphere. By implementing clear standards for outdoor lighting, the city works to prevent light pollution and trespass while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security.

Property owners and developers should familiarize themselves with these regulations early in their planning process to ensure compliance and avoid potential delays. With proper planning and attention to detail, lighting can enhance Belgrade's community character while meeting all regulatory requirements.

Remember that these regulations aren't just about compliance—they represent Belgrade's dedication to maintaining a high quality of life for all residents through thoughtful community development standards.