Lighting Regulations in Marysville Borough, Pennsylvania: Balancing Historical Character with Modern Lighting Needs

Introduction

Nestled along the Susquehanna River in Perry County, Marysville Borough has roots dating back to 1755. Originally incorporated as the Borough of Haley in 1866 before being renamed Marysville in 1867, this charming community has always valued its historical character and natural surroundings.

Early photographs from the 1900s show how Marysville adapted interior lighting fixtures for outdoor use along Front Street, reflecting the community's practical approach to lighting. Today, Marysville's lighting regulations continue this tradition of balancing practical illumination needs with preservation of the borough's small-town charm and scenic environment.

Quick Reference Guide to Marysville's Lighting Regulations

• Light Trespass Limits:
• Maximum 0.1 footcandle when projected onto residential properties
• Maximum 1.0 footcandle when projected onto non-residential properties
• Height Restrictions:
• Maximum 20 feet for full-cutoff fixtures
• Maximum 16 feet for non-full-cutoff fixtures
• Curfew Requirements:
• Most non-essential lighting must be extinguished within one hour after business closure
• Decorative lighting prohibited between 11 p.m. and dawn with limited exceptions
• Recreational Lighting:
• Sport-specific mounting height restrictions (ranging from 20-70 feet)
• Must be extinguished by 10 p.m.

Understanding Marysville's Approach to Lighting

The Purpose Behind the Regulations

Marysville's lighting regulations serve multiple important functions that reflect the borough's values:

• Providing adequate lighting for public health, safety, and welfare
• Protecting drivers and pedestrians from non-vehicular light glare
• Preventing nuisance glare and light trespass that could affect neighbors
• Promoting energy-efficient lighting design and operation
• Preserving the intended visual character of the borough

These purposes align perfectly with Marysville's commitment to maintaining its historical character while meeting the needs of a modern community.

When Do These Regulations Apply?

The lighting regulations apply to all uses within the borough where outdoor lighting is present, including:

• Residential and multi-family residential properties
• Commercial and industrial developments
• Public and private recreational/sports facilities
• Institutional uses
• Sign, billboard, architectural, and landscape lighting

Temporary seasonal decorative lighting and emergency lighting are exempt from most requirements except for glare control provisions.

Technical Requirements for Different Lighting Applications

Horizontal Surface Lighting

When lighting predominantly horizontal surfaces such as parking areas, walkways, and building entrances:

• Fixtures must be aimed straight down
• Fixtures must meet IESNA full-cutoff criteria
• Exemption: Fixtures with lumen output not exceeding 1,000 lumens

Non-Horizontal Surface Lighting

For lighting facades, landscaping, signs, and decorative features:

• Fixtures must be fully shielded
• Must be installed and aimed to prevent light projection into neighboring windows
• Must not direct light past the object being illuminated
• Must not project light skyward or onto public roadways
• Exemption: Fixtures with lumen output not exceeding 1,000 lumens

"Barn Lights" and Dusk-to-Dawn Fixtures

• Not permitted unless fully shielded when visible from other properties

Under-Canopy Lighting

• Must use flat-lens full-cutoff fixtures aimed straight down
• Average illumination intensity directly below canopy: Maximum 20 maintained footcandles
• Maximum intensity: 40 maintained footcandles

Fixture Installation Standards

Placement and Protection

• Underground wiring required: Electrical feeds for lighting poles must run underground, not overhead
• Pole protection: Poles behind parking spaces or in snow plow paths must be:
• Placed minimum 5 feet outside paved areas or tire stops, OR
• Placed on concrete pedestals at least 30 inches high, OR
• Protected by other borough-approved methods

Residential Development Requirements

For residential developments with lot sizes averaging less than 20,000 square feet, street lighting is required at:

• Intersections of public streets with entrance streets
• Intersections within the development
• Curves with radius of 300 feet or less
• Cul-de-sac bulbs
• Terminal ends of center median islands
• Defined pedestrian crossings
• Other locations deemed necessary by the Borough

Common Parking Areas

• Multi-family developments must illuminate common parking areas
• In residential developments with lots less than 20,000 square feet, areas with 5+ contiguous parking spaces must be illuminated

Controlling Light Trespass and Glare

Maximum Light Levels at Property Lines

• Maximum 0.1 footcandle projected onto residential properties
• Maximum 1.0 footcandle projected onto non-residential properties

Vegetation and Glare Control

• Vegetation screens cannot be the primary means for controlling glare
• Glare control must be achieved primarily through:
• Cutoff fixtures
• Shields and baffles
• Appropriate fixture mounting height
• Proper wattage, aiming angle, and placement

Special Applications

• Flag lighting: U.S. and State flags permitted illumination from dusk to dawn
• Maximum 10,000 lumens per flagpole
• Beam spread no greater than necessary
• Other flags: Illumination not permitted past 11 p.m.

Time Restrictions on Lighting

Business and Facility Operations

• Parking facility, vehicular, and pedestrian lighting must be automatically extinguished within one hour after business closure
• After-hours safety lighting must not exceed 33% of normal business hour fixtures

Decorative and Advertising Lighting

• Illumination for signs, billboards, building facades, and decorative landscapes prohibited between 11 p.m. and dawn
• Exception: Commercial establishments may remain illuminated while open and up to 1 hour after closing

Recreational Facility Lighting

• Sporting events must be timed to end so all lighting (except for safe exit) can be extinguished by 10 p.m.
• Certain facilities (golf driving ranges, racetracks, trap-shooting) not permitted to be artificially illuminated

What Property Owners Should Know

Plan Submission Requirements

When lighting plans are required, they must include:

• Location of all structures, parking spaces, and building entrances
• Layout of all proposed fixtures including location, orientation, and mounting height
• A 10'x10' illuminance grid plot showing compliance with requirements
• Lamp lumen ratings, maintenance factors, and equipment specifications

Tree Maintenance

• Property owners must trim branches from shade trees overhanging streets that might obstruct light from street lights

Nonconforming Lighting

Existing nonconforming lighting must be brought into compliance when:

• Minor corrective action can achieve conformity
• The Borough deems it a safety hazard
• Fixtures are replaced, abandoned, relocated, or repaired
• There is a change in property use
• All lighting must comply within 10 years of the ordinance adoption

Supporting Marysville's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares Marysville's commitment to preserving historical character while embracing modern lighting technology. We understand the unique balance that communities like Marysville strive to achieve between safety, functionality, and preservation of small-town charm.

Our experience with regional architectural styles and lighting needs allows us to appreciate Marysville's approach to lighting regulations, which reflect the borough's dedication to its natural surroundings and historical heritage. As a resource for communities, Bock Lighting is committed to supporting sustainable and responsible lighting practices that align with Marysville's vision.

We recognize that in communities with rich historical character like Marysville, lighting choices should enhance rather than detract from the unique sense of place. Our commitment to helping communities understand and implement appropriate lighting solutions reflects our shared values of preservation and thoughtful development.

Conclusion

Marysville Borough's lighting regulations demonstrate a thoughtful approach to preserving the community's historical character while ensuring safety and functionality. By establishing clear standards for light levels, fixture types, and timing restrictions, these regulations help maintain the small-town charm and scenic environment that make Marysville special.

Property owners should work closely with the Borough when planning lighting installations to ensure compliance with these regulations. Through careful adherence to these standards, residents and businesses can contribute to Marysville's vision of a well-lit yet historically respectful community atmosphere.