Lighting Regulations in Highland Heights, Ohio: Illuminating a Pioneer in Infrastructure Standards

Introduction: A Community Built on Forward-Thinking Standards

Highland Heights, Ohio, has a unique history of pioneering modern infrastructure standards. Incorporated as a city in 1967 but with roots dating back to 1920, this eastern Cleveland suburb was the first in Cuyahoga County to mandate underground wiring and ornamental lamp posts for new residential neighborhoods.

This forward-thinking approach to urban planning continues to influence Highland Heights' approach to lighting regulations today. With a population of just over 8,700 residents, the city maintains a careful balance between residential comfort, commercial development, and aesthetic appeal.

Understanding these lighting regulations helps property owners maintain compliance while contributing to the community's vision of a well-planned, attractive suburban environment.

Quick Reference Guide to Highland Heights Lighting Requirements

Commercial, Industrial & Multi-Family Parking Areas:

• Minimum illumination: 0.2 foot candles
• Maximum illumination: 4 foot candles
• Fixture angle: Maximum 30 degrees from vertical
• Shielding requirement: Must shield light from adjacent residential areas

Sign Illumination:

• Residential areas: Generally prohibited (exceptions in Section 1145.04)
• Maximum colors: 3 colors per building (black and white not counted)
• Prohibited types: Flashing, moving, bare bulb, neon tube, or intermittent lighting

Construction Sites:

• Safety requirement: Warning lights required at night for public safety

Holiday/Religious Displays:

• Maximum bulb size: Less than 15 watts per bulb
• Flashing limitations: No more than 5 lamps flashing in unison
• Time restrictions: Limited to 30 days before and 15 days after event/holiday

Commercial Property Lighting Requirements

Parking Area Illumination Standards

Highland Heights has established clear standards for parking lot lighting to ensure safety while preventing light pollution. These regulations apply to commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family residential properties.

Timing Requirements:

• Parking areas must be thoroughly illuminated whenever street lights are on
• Illumination must be maintained during the operational hours of the buildings served

Technical Specifications:

• Minimum light level: 0.2 foot candles at pavement level
• Maximum light level: 4 foot candles
• Light fixtures cannot be aimed more than 30 degrees from vertical
• Light sources must be shielded from adjoining residential districts and streets

Prohibited Lighting Types

The city clearly prohibits certain types of lighting to maintain the community's aesthetic standards and prevent distractions:

• Flickering illumination is not permitted
• Moving illumination is prohibited
• Intermittent illumination is not allowed
• Advertising signs cannot be attached to or displayed on light standards

City Oversight of Commercial Lighting

Property owners should be aware that the city maintains active oversight of lighting installations:

• After installation of any illuminated sign, the City conducts an inspection
• If lighting is determined to cause a nuisance, modifications can be required
• The City has authority to order changes to comply with code provisions

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Sign Lighting Requirements

Highland Heights carefully regulates sign illumination to maintain community aesthetics while ensuring visibility and safety.

Technical Requirements:

• Light sources cannot be of excessive brightness
• Illumination must be shielded from residential streets and vehicular traffic
• All illuminated signs must comply with the National Electrical Code
• Special floodlighting designs require approval from the Architectural Review Board and Planning and Zoning Commission

Design Restrictions:

• Maximum of three colors allowed on signs for any one building (black and white not counted as colors)
• Signs cannot impede visibility for street, sidewalk, or property access users
• Sign lighting cannot be confused with traffic control signals due to color or design

Residential Area Sign Limitations

Sign illumination in residential areas faces stricter limitations:

• Illuminated signs are generally prohibited in residential areas
• Exceptions are noted in Section 1145.04 of the city code
• When permitted, residential sign lighting must adhere to the same brightness and shielding requirements as commercial signs

Special Lighting Circumstances

Holiday and Religious Display Lighting

Highland Heights provides specific exemptions for seasonal and religious displays:

• Bulb size limit: Less than 15 watts per bulb
• May be exempt from flashing and shielding regulations, provided:
• Flashing mechanism doesn't flash more than 5 lamps in unison
• Use is limited to 30 days before and 15 days after the relevant holiday or event

Construction Site Safety Lighting

Safety lighting is required for construction areas:

• Construction, reconstruction, repair, or alteration sites must be protected by warning lights at night
• Lighting must adequately ensure the site does not present dangers to life or limb

Tower and Antenna Lighting

Specific regulations govern the lighting of towers and antennas:

• Lighting is generally prohibited unless required by law
• If FAA regulations require lighting, white strobe lights are not permitted at night unless no alternative exists
• Security lighting requires prior approval from both the Architectural Review Committee and Planning and Zoning Commission
• All towers above 100 feet must be artificially lighted
• All FAA safety marking and obstruction lighting regulations must be followed

Public Space Lighting Requirements

Street Lighting Systems

Highland Heights maintains specific standards for street lighting systems:

• Developers must provide adequate street lighting systems for new subdivisions
• Systems should include electroliers and continuous underground circuits
• Lighting must follow the American Standard Practice for Street and Highway Lighting
• Pole-mounted lights require specific approval from the Commission

Exit and Egress Lighting

Safety lighting for building exits and pathways is strictly regulated:

• Exit signs must have letters at least 4.5 inches high with strokes not less than 3/4 inch wide
• Signs must be maintained through electric illumination when natural light fails
• All corridors, stairways, and egress passages must have adequate lighting at all times

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Requirements

Understanding and adhering to Highland Heights' lighting regulations is essential for property owners:

• Regular maintenance is required for all lighting systems
• Living and non-living landscaping, including ornamental lighting, must be maintained in good condition
• Business structures must have approved electrical facilities that are free from potential ignition or electrical hazards

Tree Maintenance Around Lighting

Property owners have specific responsibilities regarding trees and lighting:

• Trees must be trimmed to avoid interference with street lighting
• A minimum clearance of 9 feet over footways and 13 feet over vehicular ways must be maintained
• Tree preservation helps reduce light glare in the community

Supporting Highland Heights' Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, shares Highland Heights' commitment to quality infrastructure and thoughtful urban planning. As a regional lighting manufacturer, we understand the unique challenges of balancing safety, functionality, and aesthetics in suburban communities.

Highland Heights' pioneering status as the first municipality in Cuyahoga County to require underground wiring and ornamental lamp posts demonstrates a longstanding commitment to infrastructure excellence. This aligns with Bock Lighting's dedication to quality lighting solutions that respect community character.

Our team appreciates the careful balance Highland Heights maintains between residential comfort and commercial development. We're committed to serving as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations, helping to uphold the standards that make Highland Heights a desirable community.

Through our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs, we support Highland Heights' vision of well-planned, attractive neighborhoods with properly designed lighting that enhances safety while respecting neighboring properties.

Conclusion: Illuminating a High-Quality Community

Highland Heights' lighting regulations reflect its historical commitment to quality infrastructure and thoughtful urban planning. From parking lot illumination standards to holiday display exceptions, these regulations aim to create a community that balances safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

For property owners, understanding these requirements helps ensure compliance while contributing to the community's overall vision. With proper attention to illumination standards, Highland Heights continues to shine as a well-planned suburban community in Northeast Ohio.