Lighting Regulations in London, Ohio: Balancing Historical Character with Modern Safety Standards

Introduction

Nestled within the Columbus metropolitan area, London, Ohio carries a rich history dating back to the early 1810s. With notable landmarks like the First United Methodist Church (established 1820) and the Swetland House (built 1871), London's commitment to preserving its architectural heritage is evident throughout the city's 8.45 square miles.

This dedication to historical preservation while accommodating contemporary needs is reflected in London's approach to lighting regulations. These standards aim to maintain the city's charm while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses alike.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here's a snapshot of London's most important lighting regulations:

• Construction Sites: Warning lights required at night for excavations and construction sites
• Exterior Lighting: Must be directed away from adjacent properties
• Parking Areas: Lighting required for facilities operating after 6:00 p.m. or with 20+ spaces
• Historic District: Lighting changes require Certificate of Appropriateness
• Sign Illumination: Internal illumination permitted only in Business and Manufacturing Districts
• Screening: Landscaping must block headlight glare to adjacent properties
• Street Lighting: Property owners must ensure trees don't obstruct street lights

Construction and Safety Lighting

Warning Light Requirements

Safety is a primary concern in London's lighting regulations, particularly around construction zones:

• Excavation Areas: No person shall abandon or permit excavations, wells, cesspools, or structures under construction without adequate protection by suitable barricades and warning lights at night
• Street Work: Contractors must provide proper lighting for any hole, excavation, dirt pile, truck, equipment, or other material left in city streets
• Tampering Prohibited: Removing, damaging, or extinguishing barricades or warning lights placed for public protection is prohibited

Why These Requirements Matter

These safety lighting requirements protect both residents and workers from potential hazards while ensuring construction activities can proceed efficiently. Proper illumination of construction zones is essential for preventing accidents, especially during London's darker winter months.

Street Lighting Standards

Property Owner Responsibilities

London's approach to street lighting balances municipal oversight with property owner responsibilities:

• Tree Maintenance: Property owners must prune trees to ensure they do not obstruct or shade street lights
• New Developments: Developers are responsible for the purchase and installation of street lighting poles, including LED lights, fixtures, and transmission lines
• Approval Process: Street lighting installations require approval by the Safety-Service Director
• Compatibility Requirements: All street lighting must be compatible with service provided by the power company

Documentation Requirements

For new developments, lighting documentation is required:

• Preliminary Plats: Must show the location of street lighting poles, fixtures, and lines
• Engineering Studies: Must include plans for street lighting and related improvements

Property Lighting Regulations

Exterior Lighting Controls

London has specific requirements to prevent light trespass between properties:

• Public Swimming Pools: Exterior lighting must be arranged to prevent direct light casting upon adjacent properties
• Parking Facilities: Lighting must be arranged so that light is not cast upon adjacent residential lots or districts
• Loading Spaces: Any lights used to illuminate loading spaces must direct light away from adjoining property
• Parking Lots: Lights must be arranged to direct illumination away from adjoining property
• Requirement Threshold: Lighting is required for any use that operates after 6:00 p.m. or provides 20 or more parking spaces

Special Use Considerations

Certain activities have additional lighting restrictions:

• Home Occupations: Cannot create glare detectable from outside the dwelling unit
• Wind Energy Systems: Cannot have affixed or attached lights, reflectors, flashers, or other illumination (except FAA-required devices)
• Telecommunications Facilities: Cannot be artificially lit unless required by FAA or other regulatory authority

Screening Requirements for Headlight Control

To minimize the impact of vehicle headlights:

• Landscaping Purpose: Required to screen headlight glare onto adjoining property in Commercial, Manufacturing, or multifamily Districts abutting single-family use areas
• Opacity Requirement: Must have 100 percent opacity
• Height Requirement: Must be at least five feet tall at maturity
• Plant Selection: Year-round dense foliage adequate to shield adjoining properties from headlight glare

Sign Illumination Standards

External Illumination Requirements

For externally lit signs:

• Light Direction: External illumination must have adequate shielding to prevent rays from shining around or underneath signs
• Light Intensity: Must not be of high intensity or brightness that could cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or drivers
• Light Positioning: May be from the front or rear of the sign

Internal Illumination Restrictions

• Limited Applications: Internal illumination permitted only on wall signs, pole signs, and ground-mounted signs
• District Limitations: Only allowed in Business Districts and Manufacturing Districts

Light Characteristics

• Constant Intensity: Any illuminated sign must employ only light of constant intensity
• Flashing Prohibited: No sign shall contain or be illuminated by flashing or intermittent light
• Exception: Bulletin boards may scroll or present movement to change messages
• Traffic Safety: The movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination must not resemble traffic control signs or signals

LED Signage

• Pole Signs: May include a secondary sign with LED lighting and scrolling images
• Size Limitations: Secondary LED signs not to exceed seven feet wide and four feet high, with two faces

Historic District Lighting Considerations

Approval Process

The historical character of London is particularly protected through lighting regulations in the Historic District:

• Certificate of Appropriateness: Required for any lighting changes within the Historic District
• Definition of "Change": Includes any alteration to light fixtures
• Review Criteria: The Review Board specifically considers lighting in its evaluation process

Adjacent Properties

• Extended Oversight: Properties fronting on the opposite side of the boundary street or adjacent to any property within the Historic District are also subject to review
• Compatibility Standard: Must be reasonably compatible with properties within the Historic District boundary

Architectural Integration

• Character Consideration: Lighting is considered part of the "architectural character/integrity" of buildings in the Historic District
• Visual Components: The Review Board takes into account how lighting integrates with building height, massing, proportion, roof shape, landscape design, and other elements

Interior Lighting Requirements

Residential Lighting Standards

London's code includes requirements for interior lighting to ensure adequate illumination:

• Habitable Rooms: Must contain at least two separate electric outlets or one outlet plus one ceiling light fixture
• Required Areas: Water closets, bathrooms, laundry rooms, furnace rooms, and public halls must have at least one ceiling light fixture
• Multiple Dwellings: Public halls and stairways in buildings with five or more dwelling units must be adequately lighted at all times
• Smaller Dwellings: Structures with up to four dwelling units may use conveniently located light switches instead of full-time lighting

Health and Safety Standard

• Dwellings lacking adequate illumination may be deemed unfit for habitation based on health and safety standards

Supporting London's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares London's commitment to balancing historical preservation with modern functionality. Our understanding of regional architectural styles is particularly relevant to communities like London that value their historical character.

We appreciate London's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations, which preserve the city's distinctive charm while ensuring safety and functionality. As lighting specialists familiar with the unique needs of historic communities, we can serve as a resource for property owners navigating lighting requirements in historically sensitive areas.

Bock's expertise in lighting solutions that respect community character enables us to help maintain the architectural integrity that makes London special. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with London's vision for preserving its heritage while embracing appropriate modern technology.

Conclusion

London, Ohio's lighting regulations reflect a thoughtful balance between preserving historical character and meeting modern needs for safety and functionality. From construction warning lights to historic district considerations, these standards aim to maintain the city's charm while ensuring appropriate illumination.

Property owners should pay particular attention to requirements preventing light trespass onto neighboring properties and special provisions for the Historic District. By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to the cohesive community aesthetic that makes London special.

Whether you're planning new construction, renovating a historic property, or simply updating exterior lighting, these guidelines help preserve London's unique blend of historical charm and modern functionality for future generations.