Lighting Regulations in Charlevoix, Michigan: Preserving Character While Ensuring Safety and Function

Introduction: Charlevoix's Unique Character and Lighting Vision

Nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, the city of Charlevoix boasts a rich historical character that blends natural beauty with distinctive architecture. Originally named Pine River, the settlement was later renamed after French Jesuit priest and explorer Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, officially adopting the name when it achieved village status in 1879.

This picturesque coastal community has long prioritized maintaining its small-town character and architectural heritage while managing necessary growth and development. The city's lighting regulations reflect this balance – emphasizing safety and functionality while preserving the community's historical integrity and natural beauty.

Whether you're a homeowner planning exterior improvements, a business owner considering signage, or a developer working on a new project, understanding Charlevoix's lighting regulations is essential for compliance and for contributing to the community's aesthetic goals.

Quick Reference Guide: Critical Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here's a quick overview of the most important lighting regulations in Charlevoix:

• Light Trespass Prevention: All fixtures must be aimed and shielded to confine illumination to property boundaries
• Fixture Shielding: Most fixtures must be fully shielded; lamp types above 2,000 lumens require full shielding
• Maximum Output for Non-Residential Uses: .4356 lumens per net foot with a cap of 100,000 lumens per net acre
• Timing Restrictions: Class 1 lighting must be off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. when not in active use
• Parking Lot Lighting: Limited to 12-foot maximum pole height
• LED Lighting: Required for Class 2 lighting; optional but incentivized for Class 1 lighting
• Certification Requirements: Professional engineering certification required for certain lighting installations

Understanding Lighting Classifications

Lighting Classes Explained

Charlevoix organizes lighting into three distinct classes, each with specific requirements:

Class 1 Lighting

• Includes lighting for sales, service, commercial, assembly, repair, maintenance, and industrial areas
• Must be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or when not in active use
• LED is optional but incentivized with a 10% increase in allowed lumens

Class 2 Lighting

• Includes parking lot lighting
• No specific time restrictions except as specified in approval conditions
• LED lighting is required, with up to 10% of total lumens allowed as white light

Class 3 Lighting

• Includes architectural and landscape lighting
• Must be extinguished after 11:00 p.m. or when business closes
• Must be designed to minimize light spill beyond intended areas

Multi-Class Lighting

For areas with multiple lighting classes, the most restrictive class requirements apply, particularly for shielding and timing restrictions.

Light Output and Fixture Requirements

Lumen Limitations

Charlevoix's code specifies precise limitations on light output:

• Non-Residential and Multi-Family Uses: Maximum of .4356 lumens per net foot
• Overall Cap: 100,000 lumens per net acre
• Partially Shielded Fixtures: Limited to 7.92 lumens per net foot and count toward the total cap

Shielding Requirements

The regulations emphasize proper shielding to control light distribution:

• Full Shielding Requirement: All lamp types above 2,000 lumens must be fully shielded
• Partial Shielding: Limited to a maximum of 5,500 lumens per net acre and shall not exceed 2,000 per lamp
• Motion Sensing Lights: Must be fully shielded and properly adjusted to turn off when motion ceases

Light Trespass Prevention

Property Boundary Control

• All fixtures must be aimed and shielded to confine illumination to property boundaries
• Special care required to prevent light from falling onto public or private roads

Special Applications and Exceptions

Parking Lot Lighting

• Classified as Class 2 lighting
• Height Restriction: Poles limited to 12 feet above adjacent grade

Recreational Facilities

• Considered Class 1 lighting
• Must achieve minimum illuminance levels as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
• Must complete all activity and turn off lights by 10:00 p.m.
• Fully shielded lighting required for amateur and recreational sports

Service Station Canopies

• Considered Class 2 lighting
• All luminaries must be flush with the lower surface and use flat glass/plastic covers
• Light output limited to 40 lumens per square foot of canopy
• 50% of total lumen output counts toward the lumen per acre cap

Seasonal and Decorative Lighting

• Permitted between November 15 and January 15
• Not counted toward total lumen limits

Sign Illumination Requirements

General Requirements

• Externally lit signs must use steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely onto the sign
• No unshielded lights, upward/horizontal lighting, flashing lights, or scrolling electronic displays permitted
• Light sources should not be visible from adjacent rights-of-way or residential properties

Timing Restrictions

• Signs may be illuminated during business hours or until 11:00 p.m., whichever is later
• Automatic timers are required for compliance

Special Sign Lighting Types

Allowed Internal Illumination Methods:

• Individual back-lit letters silhouetted against softly illuminated walls
• Individual letters with translucent faces containing soft lighting elements
• Metal-faced box signs with cut-out letters and soft-glow fluorescent tubes

Off-Premises Signs:

• Illumination generally prohibited, except for off-premises kiosks

What Property Owners Should Know

When Regulations Apply

The lighting regulations apply in different ways depending on your situation:

• New Construction: All outdoor lighting must comply with regulations
• Major Additions: If floor area increases by more than 33% for residential or 25% for other uses, all outdoor lighting (existing and new) must comply
• Minor Additions: For smaller projects, only new lighting must comply, but you'll need to submit an inventory of all lighting
• Resumption After Abandonment: If a property with non-conforming lighting is abandoned, all lighting must be brought into compliance before resuming use

Application Requirements

When applying for permits involving lighting, you must submit:

• Site plans showing all lighting fixture locations (existing and proposed)
• Detailed descriptions of each illuminating device, including manufacturer's catalog cuts
• Certification by a Michigan registered engineer for certain lighting systems

Exemptions for Existing Lighting

• Non-conforming outdoor light fixtures lawfully installed before the code's effective date are generally exempt
• However, changes in use, lamp type, replacements, or structural alterations require compliance with current regulations

Supporting Charlevoix's Lighting Vision

Charlevoix's lighting regulations demonstrate the city's commitment to preserving its distinctive historical character while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and visitors alike. Since 1918, Bock Lighting has shared this commitment to balancing preservation with modern lighting needs.

As a regional manufacturer with deep roots in the Great Lakes region, Bock Lighting understands the unique architectural character of communities like Charlevoix. Our experience with projects throughout Michigan has given us insight into how lighting can enhance historical areas while meeting modern standards.

For Charlevoix property owners, Bock Lighting can serve as an educational resource on lighting regulations. Our team stays informed about local codes and can help explain how certain fixtures might meet the city's requirements for shielding, light output, and other technical specifications.

The goal isn't just to sell lighting but to support Charlevoix's vision of a community that respects its heritage while thoughtfully implementing modern infrastructure – a balance that makes Charlevoix such a special place to live and visit.

Conclusion

Charlevoix's lighting regulations reflect the community's dedication to preserving its small-town character while providing safe, functional lighting for residents and businesses. By focusing on proper shielding, controlled light levels, and appropriate timing, these regulations help maintain the aesthetic qualities that make Charlevoix unique.

Whether you're planning a new construction project, renovating an existing property, or simply updating your exterior lighting, understanding and following these regulations ensures you're contributing to Charlevoix's vision of a beautiful, well-lit community that honors its historical heritage.

For specific questions about your particular lighting situation, always consult with Charlevoix's Zoning Administrator, who can provide guidance on how the regulations apply to your unique circumstances.