Lighting Regulations in Mountain Home, Idaho: Balancing Historic Character with Modern Safety Standards

Quick Reference Guide to Mountain Home's Lighting Regulations

Before diving into the details, here's a summary of the most important lighting requirements in Mountain Home:

• Glare control is required for all properties - no direct or reflected glare visible beyond property lines
• Parking lot lighting poles cannot exceed the maximum height allowed for buildings in that zoning district
• Parking lot lights must be directed away from adjacent residential areas
• Commercial lighting in most districts allows indirect, internal, or floodlight illumination
• Street lighting must use high pressure sodium lamps on conventional wood poles
• Maximum parking lot light height: 30 feet (or as deemed appropriate by reviewing authority)
• Pedestrian scale lighting: recommended maximum of 16 feet

Understanding Mountain Home's Lighting Vision

Mountain Home, Idaho, the county seat of Elmore County, features a unique architectural landscape that blends Spanish Mission, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern styles. With many structures dating back to the early 1900s, the city maintains a distinct character that influences its approach to urban planning and development regulations.

The city's lighting regulations reflect a balance between preserving this historic character while ensuring safety and functionality. Situated at an elevation of 3,146 feet with a semi-arid climate, Mountain Home's regulations address the specific lighting needs of the community while maintaining its aesthetic values.

Historical Influences on Lighting Standards

Mountain Home's rich history, dating back to its days as "Rattlesnake Station," a stagecoach stop, informs its approach to development. The city underwent significant infrastructure development in the 1950s, which coincides with many of the lighting approaches still reflected in current regulations.

The Mountain Home Historical Museum, built in 1908 in western colonial revival style, stands as a reminder of the architectural heritage that the city's regulations aim to preserve while allowing for modern lighting solutions.

Sign Lighting Requirements

Mountain Home's regulations provide detailed guidance for sign illumination across different zoning districts:

Commercial Districts

• C-1 Neighborhood/Commercial Zone:
• Fascia/wall signs: Indirect or internal lighting permitted (limited to 35% of sign area)
• Freestanding signs: Internal, indirect, or floodlight (limited to 35% of sign area)
• Canopy/awning signs: Indirect or internal lighting permitted
• C-2 Central Business District:
• Fascia/wall signs: Indirect or internal lighting (35% of sign area, must be 18" from wall)
• Projecting signs: Indirect or internal lighting allowed
• Canopy/awning signs: Indirect or internal lighting permitted
• Freestanding signs: Indirect or internal lighting (35% of sign area)
• Monument signs: Indirect lighting only
• C-4 and I-1 Heavy Commercial/Light Industrial:
• Fascia signs: Indirect or internal lighting permitted
• Freestanding signs: Indirect, internal, or floodlight (35% of sign area)
• Monument signs (I-84 frontage): Indirect, internal, or floodlight (100% of sign area)

Other Sign Categories

• PUD/Subdivision identification signs: Indirect or internal lighting allowed
• Public/quasi-public signs: Indirect or floodlight illumination permitted
• Monument signs: Generally allow indirect, internal, or floodlight illumination
• Directional business signs: Indirect lighting permitted

Safety and Visual Impact Considerations

The regulations specify that sign lighting must not "cause hazardous or unsafe driving conditions for motorists and will not glare, reflect, or spill onto adjacent business or residential areas."

Parking Lot and Street Lighting Standards

Parking Lot Lighting

Mountain Home's code addresses both safety and aesthetic concerns for parking areas:

• Maximum height: 30 feet (or as deemed appropriate by reviewing authority)
• Pedestrian scale: Recommended maximum of 16 feet
• Light direction: Must be arranged to reflect light away from adjacent residential properties
• Maintenance: Must be maintained in safe condition by property owner
• Purpose: "To maintain a safe and secure pedestrian environment through the use of adequate lighting"
• Distribution: Should be "evenly distributed to increase security"
• Glare control: "All lighting should be glare free and shielded from the sky and adjacent residential properties and structures, either through exterior shields or through optics within the fixture"

Street Lighting Requirements

For new developments and subdivisions:

• Installation points: Required at intersections and where deemed necessary by the city engineer
• Cost responsibility: Installation costs borne by developer; maintenance and operation costs by the city
• Technical specifications: "Conventional wood pole or better, high pressure sodium with overhead lamps"
• Alternative options: Other types/configurations may be approved by city engineer (cost borne by developer)
• Electrical requirements: Development plans must include "stubs and junction boxes for streetlight(s)"

Light Trespass and Glare Regulations

Mountain Home strictly regulates light that extends beyond property boundaries:

• Zero tolerance policy: "No direct or reflected glare shall be permitted which is visible from any point beyond property line"
• Home occupations: Must not create lighting impacts "detectable to the normal senses off the lot"
• Conditional uses: Must have "lighting directed away from adjoining properties or highway rights of way"
• Transmitter equipment: Security lighting must be "compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and confined to the boundaries of the site"

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Sexually Oriented Businesses

These establishments have specific illumination requirements:

• General areas: Minimum of 20 foot-candles, "normally maintained and evenly distributed at ground level"
• Adult theaters and cabarets: Minimum of 5 foot-candles
• During performances: Adult theaters and cabarets may reduce lighting to no less than 1.25 foot-candles

Transmission Structures

• General rule: "Except as specifically required by the federal aviation administration (FAA) or the federal communications commission (FCC), transmission structures shall not be artificially lighted"

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning Requirements

If you're developing or significantly modifying a property, be aware that lighting plans are required documents:

• Site plans must include "proposed lighting plan, including lighting for landscape, buildings, perimeters, streets, and parking lots"
• Final development plans must include "profiles of the drainage, water, sewer, lighting, streets, and sidewalks or pathways"
• Conceptual utility plans must address lighting considerations

Functional and Accent Lighting

The code encourages thoughtful lighting design:

• Accent lighting should "highlight special focal points, building/site entrances, public art and special community features"
• Security lighting is explicitly required for front yards/entrances to "create a condition of personal security"
• Common outdoor spaces may include "pedestrian scaled accent lighting" as an amenity

Supporting Mountain Home's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the unique character of communities like Mountain Home and the importance of preserving historical aesthetics while meeting modern lighting needs.

We recognize Mountain Home's commitment to balancing safety and functionality with respect for the city's diverse architectural heritage that spans Spanish Mission, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern styles. This blend of architectural elements requires thoughtful lighting approaches that enhance rather than detract from the community's character.

As a resource for understanding lighting regulations, Bock appreciates Mountain Home's practical approach to lighting requirements that focuses on preventing light trespass while ensuring adequate illumination for safety. Our experience working with communities that value their historical character makes us particularly attuned to the needs of Mountain Home property owners.

Bock's commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Mountain Home's vision of balanced development that respects both history and functionality. We stand ready as a community partner to help property owners navigate the specific requirements established in the Mountain Home code.

Conclusion

Mountain Home's lighting regulations focus primarily on preventing light trespass while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security. The requirements strike a balance between preserving the city's unique character while accommodating modern lighting needs.

Property owners should pay particular attention to requirements regarding glare control, fixture height limitations, and the specific illumination types permitted for different applications. By understanding and following these guidelines, residents and businesses can contribute to maintaining Mountain Home's distinctive atmosphere while ensuring safety and functionality.

For specific projects or questions about compliance, it's always recommended to consult with Mountain Home's planning department before making significant lighting changes or investments.