Lighting Regulations in Hermosa, South Dakota: Preserving Natural Beauty Under Dark Skies

Introduction

Nestled amidst the stunning landscape of South Dakota, with Harney Peak to the west and a fertile valley to the east, Hermosa lives up to its Spanish name meaning "beautiful." Founded in 1886 by Pete Folsom, this small community of approximately 400 residents has carefully maintained its natural charm and rural character over the decades.

Hermosa's commitment to preserving its scenic vistas is reflected in its modest but purposeful lighting regulations. These guidelines help maintain the town's tranquil environment while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses alike.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Sign Illumination: Only non-intermittent white lighting permitted • Residential Areas: All lighting must be directed away from residential districts • Public Rights-of-Way: Lighting cannot reflect directly onto roadways • Industrial Areas: Glare must be completely confined within enclosed buildings • Telecommunications & Towers: No lighting unless required by FAA • Parking Lots: Light intensity must not interfere with residential areas • Mobile Home & Travel Parks: Must include lighting standards in development plans

Sign Illumination Standards

General Sign Lighting Requirements

The town of Hermosa maintains specific regulations for how signs may be illuminated, balancing visibility with aesthetic considerations.

• Only non-intermittent white lighting is permitted for signs • No flashing, intermittent, or animated illumination within 300 feet of residential property (unless not visible from that property) • Signs may have indirect illumination • Flashing lights or intermittent illumination are explicitly prohibited in many contexts

Special Considerations by Location

Different areas of Hermosa have specific sign illumination requirements:

• Near Highways: Off-premises signs along interstate and primary highways:

• Cannot include flashing, intermittent, or moving lights (except for public service information like time/temperature)
• Must be effectively shielded to prevent light from being directed onto highways
• Cannot be of brightness that causes glare or impairs driver vision

• Public Parks & Recreation Areas:

• Historical monuments, structures, and parks may use indirect lighting only
• Flashing or intermittent illumination is prohibited

• Residential Districts:

• Multiple-family and group dwelling identification signs may have indirect illumination only

• Real Estate Subdivisions:

• One sign (maximum 100 square feet) may be illuminated
• No flashing, intermittent, or animated illumination permitted

Residential and Public Space Lighting

Protecting Residential Areas

Hermosa's regulations show clear concern for preventing light pollution in residential neighborhoods:

• All types of lighting must be directed to reflect away from residential districts • Light intensity and arrangement of reflectors in parking lots must not interfere with residential districts

Public Infrastructure

The town maintains flexibility in its approach to public lighting:

• Installation of street lights may be required by the governing body • The Government/Public Use District (GP) lighting standards are noted as "to be reviewed," suggesting regulations in this area may be evolving

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Industrial Areas

The General Industrial District (GI) regulations require that:

• Glare must be completely confined within enclosed buildings

Towers and Telecommunications Facilities

Hermosa maintains strict limitations on lighting for vertical structures:

• Telecommunications facilities or support structures shall not be lighted unless required by FCC or FAA • Towers shall only be marked as required by FAA with no additional lighting permitted (except infrared devices protecting monitoring equipment) • Small Wind Energy Systems (SWES) shall not be artificially lighted unless required by FAA

Mobile Home and Travel Parks

Development plans for these areas must include detailed lighting information:

• Mobile home parks may display identifying signs with indirect lighting only • Plans must show the location of all lighting standards to be provided • Travel park plans must include specifics on "the location of all lighting and standards thereof"

What Property Owners Should Know

Practical Guidance for Compliance

If you're a property owner in Hermosa, understanding these lighting regulations will help ensure your property remains in compliance:

• Direct light away from residential areas and public rights-of-way • Choose non-flashing, non-intermittent lighting for all signs and outdoor illumination • Contain glare within building structures, particularly in industrial zones • When planning developments, include detailed lighting plans showing all standards and fixtures • For special structures like telecommunications towers, avoid lighting unless mandated by federal authorities

Planning Considerations

When developing property or installing new lighting:

• Consider the town's emphasis on preserving natural beauty and rural character • Be mindful of how lighting might impact neighbors, especially in residential zones • Remember that street lighting installation may be required by town governance • Review sign illumination restrictions that apply to your specific property type and location

Supporting Hermosa's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands and appreciates communities like Hermosa that value preserving their natural beauty and historical character.

As a manufacturer with deep experience in regional architectural styles and lighting needs across America, we recognize the importance of lighting solutions that respect Hermosa's commitment to maintaining its scenic rural character while providing necessary illumination for safety and functionality.

Our expertise can serve as a resource for Hermosa residents and businesses navigating lighting regulations. We share Hermosa's values of responsible lighting practices that minimize light pollution and preserve the natural nightscape—allowing the beauty of South Dakota's starry skies to remain visible for generations to come.

We're committed to helping communities like Hermosa maintain their distinctive character through thoughtful, compliant lighting solutions that balance modern needs with preservation of natural beauty.

Conclusion

Hermosa's lighting regulations, while not extensive, reflect the town's commitment to preserving its natural beauty and rural character. The focus on preventing light spillover into residential areas, minimizing glare on roadways, and limiting unnecessary illumination of structures shows thoughtful consideration of how lighting impacts the community's environment.

For a town whose very name celebrates beauty, these lighting standards help ensure that Hermosa remains true to its identity—maintaining the scenic vistas and tranquil environment that have characterized this small South Dakota community since its founding in 1886.

Whether you're a resident, business owner, or developer, understanding and respecting these lighting regulations contributes to preserving Hermosa's unique charm for future generations to enjoy.