Lighting Regulations in Greenwich, Ohio: Preserving Rural Character While Ensuring Safety and Functionality

Introduction

Nestled in Huron County, the village of Greenwich, Ohio, maintains its small-town charm with a modest population of 1,409 (as of the 2020 census). Established in 1828 and incorporated in 1879, Greenwich draws its name from Greenwich Township, which was named after Greenwich, Connecticut, reflecting the influence of early northeastern settlers.

Unlike larger municipalities with extensive lighting codes, Greenwich has developed targeted lighting regulations that reflect its commitment to preserving rural character while ensuring safety and functionality. These regulations help maintain the village's peaceful atmosphere and protect against unnecessary light pollution that would diminish the night sky experience that rural communities cherish.

Let's explore the specific lighting requirements that property owners, businesses, and residents should understand when planning exterior lighting in Greenwich.

Quick Reference Guide

• Safety Lighting Requirements:
• Construction sites and excavations must have warning lights at night
• Street excavations require red/amber lamps at both ends and every 50 feet
• Glare Control:
• Light sources must not be directly visible from property lines
• No light emissions that cause nuisance to adjacent properties
• Floodlights must be designed to prevent light source visibility off-site
• Street Lighting:
• Property owners must prune trees to prevent obstruction of street lights
• Mobile home parks have specific street light spacing requirements
• Sign Lighting:
• Constant intensity only (no flashing or moving lights)
• Maximum 25-watt bulbs for sign-attached lighting
• No glare that creates discomfort or safety hazards

Construction and Safety Lighting

Excavation and Construction Site Requirements

Safety remains a priority in Greenwich, particularly around construction areas. The village code specifically addresses lighting requirements for potentially hazardous areas:

• Construction Sites: All excavations, wells, cesspools, or structures under construction, reconstruction, repair, or alteration must be guarded by warning devices or lights at night to prevent dangerous conditions.
• Street Excavations: Any person excavating or obstructing a street must install and maintain at least two illuminated red or amber lamps at each end of the excavation or obstruction during nighttime hours.
• Extended Obstructions: For excavations exceeding fifty feet, at least one additional lamp is required for each additional fifty feet or portion thereof.

These requirements ensure that potential hazards are clearly visible to pedestrians and drivers, preventing accidents while maintaining village safety standards.

Tree Maintenance for Street Light Visibility

Property owners have responsibilities that extend beyond their structures:

• Persons owning or occupying property bordering streets with trees must prune these trees to prevent obstruction or shading of street lights.

This simple requirement helps maintain visibility and ensures that public lighting investments serve their intended purpose of keeping streets safely illuminated.

Security and Exterior Lighting Guidelines

Glare and Light Trespass Restrictions

Greenwich's regulations on light trespass reflect the village's commitment to being a good neighbor:

• Activities producing glare or intense light emissions must be adequately shielded, screened, or enclosed to prevent direct visibility from any lot line.
• No glare or light emissions shall be of such intensity as to constitute a nuisance for adjoining properties.
• Floodlights and other exterior lighting must be designed, located and constructed to prevent the light source from being visible off-site.

These requirements strike a balance between allowing property owners to illuminate their properties while preventing light pollution that affects neighbors or contributes to sky glow.

Common Area Illumination

For multi-unit developments and commercial properties:

• Appropriate nighttime illumination is required for common parking lots, walkways, drive intersections, and other common facilities intended for use after dark.

This ensures that shared spaces remain safe and functional during evening hours while maintaining aesthetic standards.

Municipal Security Lighting Service

Greenwich offers a village-managed lighting service for property owners:

Service Availability

• Available where the village's standard outdoor lighting unit can be installed on existing poles without requiring extensions to distribution facilities.
• Where additional facilities are required, the consumer pays for installation costs of poles, wiring, and labor.
• The village installs, owns, operates, and maintains the lighting fixture itself in all cases.

Service Rates

The village provides two primary security lighting options:

• Area Security MH (150-175 watts):
• 55-63 KWH per month
• $7.50 monthly rate
• Cobra MH (400 watts):
• 159 KWH per month
• $17.50 monthly rate

The monthly fee includes all electric usage, maintenance, and replacement when necessary, offering a convenient solution for property owners seeking reliable exterior lighting.

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Mobile Home Park Street Lighting

Mobile home parks have specific street lighting requirements:

• Street lights must be installed prior to occupancy of the developed mobile home sites.
• Street light poles may be of the ornamental type.
• Placement should be on alternate sides of the roadway when possible.
• Lights must be located not more than 300 feet apart from each other.
• One light is required at each roadway intersection.
• All street light poles and luminaires must comply with the standards for residential street lighting on file with the Street/Electric Department.

Wind Energy System Limitations

For those considering small wind energy systems:

• These systems cannot be artificially lighted unless such lighting is required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Sign Illumination Guidelines

Illumination Standards

Greenwich maintains specific requirements for illuminated signs:

• Illuminated signs must emit light of constant intensity only.
• No flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights are permitted in signage.
• Sign-attached bulbs must not exceed 25 watts.
• Face lighting from a remote location is permitted as long as glare does not create discomfort for pedestrians or drivers.
• Small, decorative bulbs may be sign-attached as part of appropriate design concepts.

Safety and Code Compliance

To ensure public safety:

• Illumination beams cannot be directed upon public thoroughfares, highways, sidewalks, or adjacent premises in ways that cause glare or reflection constituting a traffic hazard or nuisance.
• All signs containing electrical wiring must conform to the National Electrical Code and any applicable local codes.

Home Occupation Limitations

For residents operating businesses from their homes:

• Home occupation signs are limited to one non-illuminated sign mounted flat against the wall of the principal building.
• No equipment or process shall create glare detectable to normal senses off the lot.

These restrictions help maintain the residential character of neighborhoods while allowing appropriate home-based business activities.

Supporting Greenwich's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, shares Greenwich's commitment to preserving community character while ensuring safety and functionality.

As a regional company, Bock understands the unique balance that small villages like Greenwich strive to maintain—protecting rural charm and dark skies while providing necessary illumination for safety and security.

Bock's experience with similar communities throughout Ohio has fostered an appreciation for the lighting challenges faced by villages working to preserve their character. The company serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations, offering guidance that respects Greenwich's vision while meeting practical needs.

With a commitment to responsible lighting practices, Bock can help residents and businesses implement lighting solutions that complement Greenwich's rural setting. Their local presence enables a better understanding of the community's specific needs and standards, making them a valuable partner in maintaining Greenwich's unique character for generations to come.

Conclusion

Greenwich's lighting regulations reflect the village's thoughtful approach to development—balancing safety requirements with preservation of rural character. By controlling light trespass and glare while ensuring appropriate illumination where needed, these guidelines help maintain the peaceful atmosphere that residents value.

Property owners should review these requirements carefully when planning lighting installations, particularly focusing on preventing off-site glare and ensuring compliance with specific requirements for their property type.

Through careful adherence to these guidelines, Greenwich can continue to enjoy safe, functional lighting while preserving the dark skies and tranquil evenings that make rural living special.