Lighting Regulations in Loveland, Ohio: What Property Owners Need to Know

Introduction

Nestled along the scenic Little Miami River, Loveland, Ohio has long maintained a delicate balance between preserving its historic charm and embracing modern development. Founded in the early 19th century, the "Sweetheart City" is known for its distinctive downtown area, historic landmarks like the William Johnston House and Loveland Castle, and strong community values.

Loveland's lighting regulations, primarily found in Chapter 554 of the city code, reflect this commitment to maintaining community character while ensuring safety and functionality. These guidelines aim to reduce problems created by improper lighting design, eliminate glare, minimize light trespass, and reduce energy costs.

Quick Reference Guide

Key Commercial Lighting Requirements:

• Shielding: All commercial lights must be fully shielded with no direct light above horizontal plane
• Maximum Brightness: Commercial wall/pole mounted lights limited to 1,200 lumens
• Color Temperature: Maximum 3500K CCT for all lamps and fixtures
• Height Restriction: Maximum 25 feet for pole-mounted luminaires above 1800 lumens
• Materials: Metal poles required (wooden poles prohibited)
• Light Trespass: No light permitted to cross property boundaries

Sign Illumination Limits:

• LED Signs: Maximum 80 nits from dusk to dawn; 3,500 nits during daytime
• Interior Signage: Maximum 900 lumens when visible from public areas

Compliance Deadline:

• Existing non-conforming lighting must be brought into compliance by December 31, 2033

Commercial Lighting Standards

Fixture Design and Mounting

All commercial wall-mounted and pole-mounted lights must be fully shielded, directing light downward with no direct light emitted above a horizontal plane. Fixtures must be installed on a 90-degree parallel plane with the horizontal plane where the building foundation or light pole meets the ground.

Dark Sky Compliant fixtures are required for all commercial installations. The city emphasizes that all lighting should be designed and installed to eliminate wasted or poorly directed light.

Technical Specifications

Commercial lighting must adhere to specific technical requirements:

• Lumen Output: Maximum 1,200 lumens for all commercial wall-mounted and pole-mounted lights
• Color Temperature: All lamps and fixtures limited to 3500K CCT
• BUG Rating: Maximum permissible rating of B U2 G2 (not applicable)
• Pole Material: Metal poles required; wooden poles prohibited
• Height Limit: Fixtures with more than 1,800 lumens must be mounted at 25 feet or less

Light Trespass Prevention

Loveland's regulations emphasize being a "good neighbor" by preventing unwanted light from affecting adjacent properties. All fixtures must be:

• Located, aimed, and shielded to eliminate light trespass across property boundaries
• Equipped with additional opaque shielding as needed to prevent light spillover
• Designed to prevent glare when viewed from public areas

Sign Illumination Requirements

LED Electronic Message Centers

Electronic message signs must incorporate specific features:

• Auto-dimming: Nighttime auto-dimming circuit required
• Brightness Limits:
• Maximum 80 nits (cd/m²) from dusk until dawn
• Maximum 3,500 nits (cd/m²) during daytime
• Message Duration: Each message must be readable for at least 8 seconds
• Color Restrictions: Message lighting limited to one color
• Safety Features: Must contain a default design to shut down if malfunction occurs

External Sign Lighting

When illuminating signs externally, fixtures must be:

• Mounted on top of the sign structure when possible
• Completely shielded from view from any street or sidewalk
• Angled to direct light only onto the sign with no spillover
• Fully integrated into the design of the signage

Residential Lighting Considerations

While Chapter 554 does not specifically regulate the type, quantity, or design of residential lighting fixtures, it does establish important principles:

Residential Restrictions

• No light or beacon may be directed to shine directly upon any adjoining residential property
• No light may create glare conditions for motorists on public streets
• Residential street lighting must comply with chapter provisions

What Homeowners Should Know

The regulations focus primarily on preventing nuisance lighting rather than dictating specific fixture types for homes. The emphasis is on being considerate of neighbors and motorists by properly aiming and shielding residential lighting.

Recreational Facility Lighting

Sports fields and recreational facilities have specialized requirements:

• Shielding: All fixtures must be fully shielded
• Glare Control: Sharp cut-off capability required to minimize uplight and spill
• Light Measurement: Spill illuminance not to exceed 0.20 ft-c / 2.0 lux
• Measurement Distance: Values taken 150 feet beyond edge of field of play

Prohibited Lighting Practices

Loveland explicitly prohibits certain lighting types and practices:

• Laser Lighting: Laser source light projected above horizontal plane
• Searchlights: Operation for advertising purposes
• Nighttime Advertising: Illumination of off-site signs between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise
• Decorative Lighting: LED strip lighting around windows, doors, or architectural features
• Globe Lighting: Fixtures that distribute light in all vertical and horizontal directions

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Timeline

If you have existing lighting that doesn't meet current standards:

• Non-conforming lighting can remain if not altered or modified
• All existing lighting must comply with regulations by December 31, 2033
• Fixtures damaged beyond 50% of original value must be replaced with compliant options
• Lights not illuminated for 45+ consecutive days are considered permanently discontinued

Permit Requirements

Before installing new outdoor lighting:

• Obtain permits prior to construction of any new commercial project, additions, or outdoor illuminated signage
• Submit detailed plans showing location and specifications of all lighting fixtures
• Include photometric data demonstrating compliance with regulations
• For temporary lighting, submit an application with $75 fee

Supporting Loveland's Lighting Vision

At Bock Lighting, we understand the unique character that makes Loveland special. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we share Loveland's commitment to preserving historic character while embracing modern technology.

Our understanding of regional architectural styles enables us to provide lighting solutions that respect Loveland's blend of historical preservation and modern functionality. We appreciate the "Sweetheart City's" efforts to maintain its distinctive character through thoughtful lighting standards.

As a community partner, Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource to help property owners understand and navigate lighting regulations. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Loveland's vision for reducing light pollution while maintaining safety and aesthetics.

Conclusion

Loveland's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to maintaining its historic charm while providing safe, energy-efficient illumination. By focusing on properly shielded fixtures, appropriate brightness levels, and preventing light trespass, these standards help preserve the character that makes Loveland special.

Whether you're a business owner planning new signage, a homeowner considering landscape lighting, or a developer working on a new project, understanding these regulations is essential for compliance and for being a good neighbor in this community that values both its history and its future.