Lighting Regulations in McCordsville, Indiana: A Comprehensive Guide to Property & Exterior Illumination

Introduction

McCordsville, Indiana, established in 1865 and named after the McCord family, has evolved from its mid-19th century roots into a thriving suburb of Indianapolis. With a growing population approaching 10,000 residents, the town balances suburban development with maintaining its small-town character.

As McCordsville continues to grow, well-designed lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing safety, preserving community aesthetics, and ensuring quality of life for residents. The town's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to balanced development that respects both practical needs and community values.

Quick Reference Guide

Key Lighting Requirements in McCordsville:

• Maximum Height for Free-Standing Fixtures: 25 feet
• Property Line Light Levels: Limited to 0.3 footcandles (0.1 footcandles adjacent to residential property)
• Street Light Color: Federal Green or color equivalent
• Light Source: High-power LEDs for street luminaires
• Residential Entrances: 1.2 footcandles minimum
• Residential Streets: 0.5 footcandles minimum
• Commercial Areas on Arterial Roads: 1.2 footcandles
• Collector Streets: 0.8 footcandles
• Local Streets: 0.6 footcandles
• Parking Lots: 1.2 footcandles
• Park Areas: 0.5 footcandles for playgrounds and walking/biking trails

Street Lighting Guidelines

Residential Development Requirements

McCordsville has specific requirements for street lighting in residential developments:

• When Required: Mandatory in developments with density equal to or greater than 0.5 units per acre
• Coverage Areas: Must adequately light all road intersections, curves, cul-de-sacs, and entrances
• Spacing: Typically every 200-250 feet on property lines, staggered on opposite sides of the street
• Placement: Minimum of 1.5 feet away from the street on the backside of the curb (or 1.5 feet off the road side of sidewalk when no curb exists)

Technical Specifications

All street lighting must adhere to these technical standards:

• Components: Utility quality columns and fixtures with photovoltaic devices conforming to ANSI standard C136.10
• Light Source: High-power LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)
• Design: Must comply with specifications in Chapter 154, Appendix C, Lighting Drawings
• Foundation: Light column foundations shall extend no more than four inches above finish grade

Non-Residential Street Lighting

Non-residential areas have additional requirements:

• Spacing: Every 125 feet on center along CR 600 W and Broadway
• Maximum Height: Not to exceed 30 feet
• Illumination Levels:
• Arterial roads: 1.2 footcandles
• Collector streets: 0.8 footcandles
• Local streets: 0.6 footcandles

Property Lighting Standards

General Requirements

McCordsville's lighting regulations aim to reduce light trespass and pollution while ensuring adequate illumination:

• Underground Service: Electrical service to outdoor lighting fixtures must be underground unless mounted directly on buildings or utility poles
• Energy Efficiency: Timers, dimmers, and/or sensors should be used wherever practicable
• Light Trespass Prevention: Required through techniques such as horizontally mounted lamps with reflectors, glass/polycarbonate/acrylic refractors, louvered optics, and house-side shields

Illumination Limits

The town enforces strict light trespass limitations:

• General Property Line Maximum: 0.3 footcandles
• Adjacent to Residential Zones: 0.1 footcandles
• Sign Brightness: Electronic Message Boards not to exceed 460 foot-candles during daylight hours or 46 foot-candles between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise

Special Purpose Lighting

Gas Station and Drive-Through Canopies

• Fixture Types:
• Recessed fixtures with lens flush with canopy ceiling, or
• Indirect lighting beamed upward and reflected down
• Prohibited: Lights mounted on top or sides of canopy
• Purpose: Adequate to facilitate activities without illuminating signs

Athletic Facilities and Performance Areas

• Direction: Lighting must be specifically mounted and aimed to keep light within the play/performance area
• Dual System: Required to include both main event lighting and a lower-level system for maintenance and cleanup
• Residential Exemption: Outdoor athletic facilities accessory to single and two-family homes are exempt

Security Lighting Requirements

Non-Residential Security Lighting

• Shielding: All fixtures must be shielded and specifically aimed so illumination is directed only to the intended area
• Light Source: Must include shields preventing light source or lens from being visible from adjacent properties/streets
• Mounting: Fixtures may be mounted on poles no more than 10 feet from the perimeter of the illuminated area

Residential Security Lighting

• Technique: Must use indirect and reflected lighting techniques
• Design Guidelines: Provide soft lighting under canopies, entry porches, or soffits

Building Illumination Standards

Facade Lighting

• Direction: Fixtures must be located, aimed, and shielded to direct light only onto the building facade
• Prohibited Direction: Lighting must not be directed toward adjacent streets or roads
• Design Approach: Should wash the facade with light rather than creating a spot or floodlight effect
• Location: Contained on the building facade or in adjacent landscape areas, focusing on entries and architectural features

Sign Illumination

General Requirements

• Standards: All illuminated signs must meet National Electrical Code specifications
• Maintenance: Full number of illuminating elements must be kept in working condition
• Safety: Neither direct nor reflected light may create traffic hazards
• Shielding: Light must be shaded, shielded, or directed to prevent spillage onto adjacent properties
• Disconnecting Switch: Required in a readily accessible place

Electronic Message Boards (EMBs)

• Hours: When located within 500 feet of residential use, may not be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Controls: Must be equipped with ambient dimmer control and black background
• Brightness Limits: Cannot exceed 460 foot-candles during daylight or 46 foot-candles between sunset and sunrise

Documentation Requirements

Lighting Plans

For new developments and certain modifications, McCordsville requires:

• Professional Preparation: Site lighting plan prepared by a licensed electrical engineer
• Scale: Drawn to appropriate scale with clear indication and graphic scale reference
• Content: Must show type and location of all exterior lighting fixtures
• Photometric Drawing: Required to demonstrate compliance with illumination standards
• Digital Format: Record drawings must be provided upon completion of installation

Supporting McCordsville's Lighting Vision

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands the unique challenges facing growing suburban communities like McCordsville. We appreciate the town's dedication to balancing growth with maintaining its distinctive character.

Bock Lighting shares McCordsville's commitment to responsible lighting practices that enhance safety while minimizing light pollution and trespass. Our experience with municipalities throughout the Midwest provides valuable insights that can help property owners navigate lighting regulations.

We recognize that McCordsville's lighting standards reflect its journey from a small 19th-century settlement to a thriving modern suburb. Our design philosophy aligns with the town's approach to balanced development that respects both functional requirements and community aesthetics.

As a regional partner, Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners and developers seeking to implement lighting solutions that comply with local regulations while enhancing community character.

Conclusion

McCordsville's lighting regulations demonstrate the town's commitment to quality development that preserves its unique character while embracing growth. By following these guidelines, property owners and developers can ensure their lighting installations enhance safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal while respecting neighboring properties.

For specific projects, always consult with the McCordsville Planning Department to ensure compliance with the most current requirements. Properly designed lighting not only meets regulatory requirements but also contributes to the overall quality and character of this growing Indiana community.