Lighting Regulations in Granville, Ohio: A Comprehensive Guide to Exterior Illumination Standards

Granville, Ohio, with its charming historic character and commitment to community aesthetics, maintains specific lighting standards to preserve its unique atmosphere while ensuring safety and functionality. These regulations balance the need for adequate illumination with the desire to maintain the village's distinctive character.

Quick Reference Guide

• Department Oversight: Building and street lighting falls under the Department of Service
• Light Levels:
• Minimum: 0.5 footcandles for vehicular and pedestrian areas
• Maximum: 5-25 footcandles (varies by district)
• Light Trespass Limits:
• 0.1 footcandles on neighboring residential properties
• 0.5 footcandles at 25 feet beyond residential property lines
• 1.0 footcandles at 25 feet beyond commercial property lines
• 2.0 footcandles at 25 feet beyond industrial property lines
• Light Fixture Standards: Metal-halide fixtures with specific design requirements
• Sign Lighting: Generally exterior illumination only, with limited exceptions for neon

Understanding Granville's Lighting Philosophy

Historical Context

Granville places significant emphasis on maintaining its distinctive character and historic atmosphere. The village's lighting regulations reflect this commitment by establishing standards that ensure adequate illumination while preserving the area's aesthetic qualities and preventing light pollution.

Lighting Administration

The Department of Service includes a dedicated division of "Building and street lighting" under the direction of a Superintendent. This administrative structure highlights Granville's commitment to proper lighting management throughout the community.

Public Street Lighting Requirements

Development Planning

For new subdivisions and developments, a comprehensive Public Street Lighting Plan must be submitted and approved by the Planning Commission. These plans must conform to the municipal standards in effect at the time of submission.

Modification Process

Any deviations from established lighting standards require formal approval by the Council. This ensures that all lighting modifications align with the village's overall vision and standards.

Light Fixture Specifications

Granville has established very specific equipment standards:

Residential/Commercial Standard:

• Luminaire: Metal-halide Granville prismatic glass acorn with leaf ballast casting and 3" clear decorative finial
• Pole: 12' Charleston cast aluminum pole with 4" smooth diameter shaft
• Wattage: 100 watts for residential, maximum 175 watts for commercial
• Color: Granville Dark Green (factory painted)

Commercial/Roadway Standard:

• Luminaire: Metal-halide Esplanade prismatic glass teardrop
• Pole: Columbia cast iron and steel fluted pole with 6' West Liberty crossarm with cast finial cover
• Wattage: 100 watts for residential, maximum 400 watts for commercial
• Color: Granville Dark Green

Technical Lighting Performance Standards

Light Quality Requirements

• Appearance: All lighting must be natural in appearance (approximate spectrum of sunlight)
• Light Loss Factor (LLF): 0.7 LLF for Metal Halide lamp sources
• Uniformity: Lighting uniformity shall not exceed:
• 10:1 Maximum to minimum light levels
• 4:1 Average to minimum light levels

Height and Intensity Restrictions

• Pole Height Limitations:
• Residential/Multi-Family: 12 feet maximum
• Office/Commercial: 28 feet maximum
• Industrial/Warehouse: 28 feet maximum
• Light Levels:
• Minimum: 0.5 footcandles maintained measured at grade in all vehicular and pedestrian areas
• Maximum: 5-25 footcandles (varies by district) anywhere on site

Light Trespass Controls

Light trespass measured beyond property boundaries must not exceed:

• 0.1 footcandles on contiguous residential property
• At 25 feet beyond property line:
• Residential: 0.5 footcandles
• Multi-Family: 0.5 footcandles
• Office/Commercial: 1.0 footcandles
• Industrial/Warehouse: 2.0 footcandles

Design and Installation Requirements

Fixture Design

• Shielding: All outdoor lighting must use shielded light fixtures
• Directionality: Downlighting shall be used unless preempted by other rules or regulations
• Parking Areas: Lights should be "full cutoff design" or have shields to prevent light from shining above the horizon or onto roadways and neighboring properties
• Screening: Lighting shall be screened from directly shining into pedestrians' or auto drivers' eyes

Special Applications

• Architectural Lighting: Upward directed architectural, landscape, or decorative light emissions must have at least 90% of distribution pattern within the profile of the illuminated structure
• Commercial Areas: Light fixtures must be equipped with automatic timing devices that turn off or reduce lighting during non-operating hours
• Pool Lighting: Must be arranged to deflect light away from adjoining properties
• Construction Sites: Excavations must be guarded by warning lights at night (non-open flame)

Plan Submission Requirements

Documentation Needed

For lighting plan approval, applicants must submit:

• Site Plans: Scaled building plans showing property boundaries, building locations, parking layouts, pedestrian pathways, and all fixture locations
• Technical Specifications: Cut sheets (profiles) for all proposed exterior luminaires and poles
• Light Distribution Analysis: Scaled isofootcandle plots and/or point-by-point footcandle layouts
• Updates: Any changes after approval require re-approval prior to final acceptance

Special Considerations

For certain applications, additional documentation may be required:

• Photometric plans showing lighting as seen at night
• Detailed landscape and outdoor lighting plans for conditional uses

Sign Lighting Regulations

General Restrictions

• Internal Illumination: Generally not permitted unless specifically allowed in a district
• Neon Signs: Generally prohibited except in specific cases
• Prohibited Elements:
• Signs with lights that flash, move, rotate, or flicker
• Signs attached to light standards
• Illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining property lines, buildings, etc. (except holiday lighting)
• Searchlights or beacons

Permitted Sign Lighting

• External Illumination:
• Top mounted light fixtures preferred and must be shielded
• When top mounting isn't feasible, illumination must be restricted to the sign area
• Neon Window Signs: May be permitted in VRD, VBD, VSD, and VID districts if:
• They are considered artful
• They identify the business enterprise
• They do not exceed 4 square feet
• They do not advertise products or services

Supporting Granville's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting's Commitment to Historic Communities

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands the importance of preserving community character while meeting modern lighting needs. We appreciate Granville's commitment to maintaining its distinctive historic atmosphere through carefully crafted lighting standards.

Regional Expertise and Understanding

Our experience with communities throughout Ohio has given us insight into the unique challenges of balancing safety, functionality, and aesthetic preservation. We understand that Granville's specific fixture requirements and performance standards are designed to create a cohesive community appearance.

Educational Resources for Compliance

Rather than focusing solely on product offerings, Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations. We can help explain technical specifications like light trespass limits, fixture shielding requirements, and proper documentation for plan approval.

Conclusion

Granville's lighting regulations reflect the community's commitment to maintaining its distinctive character while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality. Property owners should familiarize themselves with the specific fixture requirements, performance standards, and application processes before undertaking any lighting projects.

By adhering to these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to preserving Granville's unique atmosphere and ensuring that lighting enhances rather than detracts from the community's special character.