Lighting Regulations in Lyndhurst, Ohio: Balancing Suburban Charm with Modern Illumination

Nestled in Cuyahoga County, Lyndhurst has evolved from its origins as a farming community to become a charming suburban city with a distinct character. Originally known as Euclidville Village before being renamed in 1920, Lyndhurst experienced significant growth during the post-World War II era as families migrated from Cleveland in pursuit of suburban living.

Today, Lyndhurst's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to maintaining its suburban appeal while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses. These regulations aim to minimize light pollution and glare while providing adequate illumination for security and visibility.

Quick Reference Guide to Lyndhurst Lighting Requirements

Most Critical Requirements:

• Light Trespass Limit: Maximum 0.1 vertical footcandle at residential property lines
• Fixture Height: Light fixtures limited to 20 feet maximum height
• Underground Fed Street Lighting: Required for all city street lighting
• Multi-family Common Areas: Minimum 3 foot-candles required in hallways and common spaces
• Pool Lighting: Must be shielded to reflect light away from neighboring properties
• EVSE Areas: Minimum 0.6 footcandle level for electric vehicle charging areas

Street Lighting Requirements

Underground Infrastructure

Lyndhurst requires all city street lighting to be underground fed. This requirement appears consistently throughout the code, emphasizing the city's preference for a cleaner aesthetic with hidden utility lines.

Assessment Fees

Property owners in Lyndhurst contribute to street lighting costs through assessments based on property frontage:

• Single-family and two-family residences:
• Standard rate: 32¢ per linear foot annually
• Underground fed streets: 78¢ per linear foot annually
• Commercial and other properties: $2.70 per linear foot annually

Light Shields

Residents bothered by street light glare may request shields through a formal process:

• Shields are installed only when authorized by Council
• Property owners must pay a fee equal to the charge made by the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
• Applications are processed through the Director of Finance

Exterior Lighting Standards

Glare Prevention Requirements

Lyndhurst places strong emphasis on preventing lighting nuisances:

• All exterior lighting must be designed to avoid lighting nuisances
• Light trespass onto residential properties cannot exceed 0.1 vertical footcandle at property lines
• Floodlights must be shielded to minimize glare extending to adjacent properties
• Light directed at flags, statues, or objects must use a narrow cone beam

Fixture Design Standards

The code establishes clear parameters for lighting fixtures:

• Maximum height: 20 feet
• Material requirements: Concrete or painted metal poles
• Style consistency: Fixtures must align with the architectural style of the property
• Flickering/flashing: Prohibited (except temporary holiday decorations)

Energy Conservation

The code encourages responsible lighting practices:

• Outdoor lighting not needed for security should be reduced, activated by motion sensors, or turned off during non-operating hours
• Background spaces like parking lots should be illuminated unobtrusively
• Foreground spaces like entrances can use defined lighting without creating glare

Illumination Standards for Specific Areas

Building Exteriors

Lyndhurst specifies precise illumination levels for different building areas:

• Active entrances: 5.0 horizontal average fc, 3.0 vertical average fc
• Inactive entrances: 3.0 horizontal average fc, 3.0 vertical average fc
• Loading platforms: 10.0 horizontal average fc, 3.0 vertical average fc
• Floodlighting: 3.5 average fc

Parking Areas

Parking facilities must meet these illumination standards:

• Open parking lots: 4.0 max/0.2 min or 2.0 max/0.1 min with 20:1 max/min uniformity ratio

Swimming Pools

Pool lighting has specific requirements to minimize neighborhood impact:

• Must be shielded to reflect light away from adjoining premises and streets
• Daylight blue lenses are recommended
• When used during darkness, pools require illumination between 2-5 candles of light for the pool surface and ten feet from edge

Commercial Establishments

Various businesses have targeted lighting requirements:

• Tattoo establishments: Minimum 40 foot-candles of light where tattooing is performed
• Service stations:
• Approach: 1.5 average fc
• Driveway: 2.0 average fc with 20:1 max/min uniformity ratio
• Pump island under canopy: 15.0 average fc

Multiple Dwelling Requirements

Buildings with multiple residential units must maintain minimum illumination levels:

• Public hallways, corridors and stairways: Minimum 3 foot-candles throughout
• Common areas (boiler rooms, laundries, basements, etc.): Minimum 3 foot-candles
• The Building Commissioner has authority to increase these requirements if reflected light is deemed inadequate for safety

Signage Illumination

Restrictions on Illuminated Signs

Lyndhurst regulates illuminated signage to prevent traffic hazards and nuisances:

• Signs must emit only light of constant intensity
• Flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights are prohibited
• Red or green bulbs that might interfere with traffic signals are not permitted
• Exposed incandescent lamps are prohibited unless screened or placed at least ten feet above ground

Digital Display Requirements

Digital signs have specific technical requirements:

• Cannot exceed 0.3 foot candles over ambient light levels
• Must include dimmer controls and photo sensors to adjust for ambient light
• Must maintain at least 98% face illumination area
• Must include default mechanisms to turn off during malfunctions
• Can only operate as advertising during business hours

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning New Lighting Installations

When installing new lighting on your property in Lyndhurst:

1. Review the code requirements for your specific property type and lighting application
2. Consider the impact on neighboring properties and the public right-of-way
3. Obtain proper permits – lighting installations require permits with specific fees
4. Choose appropriate fixtures that comply with height, shielding, and illumination standards
5. Install controls that allow for dimming or motion activation to comply with non-operating hours requirements

Special Property Types

If you own certain property types, be aware of additional requirements:

• Short-term rentals and B&Bs: Must have outdoor security cameras, but security lighting cannot reflect or direct light outside the property
• Swimming pools: Require specific illumination levels and shielding
• Commercial properties: Have different assessment rates for street lighting

Supporting Lyndhurst's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, understands the unique balance Lyndhurst seeks to maintain between suburban character and modern lighting needs. Our experience with communities similar to Lyndhurst has given us insight into how lighting can enhance safety while preserving neighborhood aesthetics.

We appreciate Lyndhurst's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations, which align with our own commitment to responsible illumination practices. As lighting technology evolves, communities like Lyndhurst face the challenge of incorporating new capabilities while maintaining their established character.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs positions us to support Lyndhurst residents in achieving compliance while enhancing their properties.

Conclusion

Lyndhurst's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to maintaining its suburban charm while ensuring safety and functionality. By establishing clear standards for illumination levels, fixture design, and light trespass, the city creates a framework that protects neighborhood aesthetics while providing adequate lighting for security and visibility.

Property owners should familiarize themselves with these requirements before undertaking lighting projects to ensure compliance and contribute to the community's lighting vision. Through thoughtful implementation of these regulations, Lyndhurst continues to balance modern illumination needs with its cherished suburban character.