Lighting Regulations in North York Borough, Pennsylvania: Balancing Historical Character with Modern Safety Standards

Introduction: North York's Lighting Legacy

North York Borough, established in the late 19th century, has always been defined by its role as a transportation corridor connecting travelers to York City and beyond. With historical landmarks dating back to the 1890s, including the former St. Peter's Lutheran Church on North George Street, the borough has developed a distinct architectural identity worth preserving.

Today, with approximately 2,000 residents, North York continues to balance preservation of its historical character with modern development needs. The borough's lighting regulations reflect this commitment—ensuring safety and functionality while maintaining the community's unique aesthetic appeal and historical integrity.

Quick Reference Guide to North York Borough Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here's a summary of the most critical lighting regulations:

• Light Spillover Limits: Maximum 0.5 horizontal foot-candles at 10 feet inside neighboring residential lot lines
• Light Fixture Height: Not to exceed 20 feet when within 100 feet of residential property
• Minimum Illumination: 6 foot-candles required at floor level in multiple dwelling public halls/stairways
• Shielding Requirements: All light sources must be properly diffused and shielded to prevent nuisance
• Prohibited Lighting: Flashing lights, outdoor lasers, and unshielded fixtures
• Street Lighting: Required for development safety, convenience, and attractiveness

Residential Lighting Requirements

Multi-Family Dwelling Standards

The borough code includes specific lighting requirements for residential buildings with multiple units:

• Every public hall and stairway in multiple dwellings must be adequately illuminated at all times
• Minimum light level of 6 foot-candles at the tread or floor level is required
• Alternative option for buildings with no more than two dwelling units: conveniently located light switches controlling an adequate lighting system instead of full-time lighting

Residential Property Protection

North York Borough has implemented several regulations specifically designed to protect residential properties from light intrusion:

• Buffer requirement: Exterior lighting from commercial, institutional, or industrial properties must not spill onto residential lots beyond 0.5 horizontal foot-candles at 10 feet inside the residential property line
• Height restrictions limit lights within 100 feet of residential properties to a maximum of 20 feet above ground level
• Security lighting must be directed away or shielded from adjacent residential uses

Commercial and Public Space Lighting

Business Property Requirements

The borough code includes specific provisions for commercial properties:

• Light shielding: All light sources, including signs, must be properly diffused with translucent or similar covers
• Careful placement: Lighting must be directed to prevent creating a nuisance to nearby dwellings
• Equipment restrictions: No equipment or machinery is permitted that produces glare detectable on another property

Specialized Commercial Lighting Requirements

Several business types have specific lighting regulations:

Auto Service Stations

• Gas station canopies must have recessed lights or screening extensions to hide lighting elements from view
• Auto repair garages must make reasonable efforts to minimize light interference with adjacent properties

Bus Shelters

• Illuminated advertising signs only allowed in NC, MU, or LIC districts
• Light sources must not be directly visible from outside the shelters

Street Lighting Standards

Installation Requirements

Street lighting is considered essential for community safety and aesthetics:

• On-site or public street lights must be installed for "safety, convenience and attractiveness of the development"
• For underground electric service areas, developers must install necessary conduits prior to street, curb, sidewalk and driveway installation
• If utility companies won't install street lighting poles, standards or fixtures, the subdivider is responsible for purchasing and installing them
• All installations must comply with specifications from the appropriate public utility

Tree Maintenance for Lighting

To ensure street lighting effectiveness:

• Trees, hedges, and shrubbery must be trimmed so they do not obstruct street lighting
• The borough may remove vegetation that interferes with street lighting or creates danger to the public

Sign Illumination Guidelines

Permitted Sign Lighting

North York Borough allows certain types of sign illumination while prohibiting others:

• External illumination is permitted for many signs, with specific requirements to use incandescent light or similar effects for some signs
• Maximum sizes for illuminated signs vary by location and purpose (e.g., bus shelter signs limited to 30 square feet)
• Time and temperature signs are permitted to flash or change displays

Prohibited Sign Lighting

To maintain community aesthetics and safety, these lighting types are prohibited:

• Flashing, blinking, or twinkling signs (except time/temperature displays)
• Animated or moving signs of any type
• Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes
• Flashing lights visible from streets used to attract attention to businesses

Exception: Non-advertising seasonal lights are permitted between October 25 and January 10

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Considerations

When planning lighting for your North York Borough property, keep these key points in mind:

• Residential protection is a priority—ensure commercial lighting doesn't spill over to neighboring homes
• Properly shield and diffuse all light sources to prevent direct bulb visibility
• Height restrictions apply when near residential properties
• Multi-family dwellings must maintain minimum illumination standards in common areas
• Seasonal lighting has specific timeframe allowances

Planning for New Developments

For new construction or major renovations:

• Include lighting details in your site plan, including heights, locations, methods of illumination, and intensity
• Plan for street lighting infrastructure early in the development process
• Consider underground conduit requirements if using underground electrical service

Supporting North York's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, understands the importance of balancing modern lighting needs with historical preservation in communities like North York Borough. Our experience with regional architectural styles positions us as a knowledgeable resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations.

We appreciate North York's commitment to preserving its 19th-century character while embracing sustainable development. As lighting professionals, we share the borough's values regarding responsible illumination that enhances safety without compromising community aesthetics or creating nuisance conditions.

Our dedication to helping communities maintain their distinctive character extends to educational resources about lighting regulations. Whether you're upgrading a historic property or developing new space in North York, we understand the balance between modern functionality and preserving the borough's unique transportation corridor heritage.

Conclusion

North York Borough's lighting regulations reflect its dual commitment to preserving historical character while ensuring modern safety standards. From residential protection measures to street lighting requirements, these regulations help maintain the community's distinct identity.

Property owners should pay particular attention to light spillover limitations, proper shielding requirements, and specific regulations for different property types. By understanding and following these guidelines, residents and businesses can contribute to North York's vision of a well-lit, historically respectful community.

Remember that these regulations serve the borough's larger goals of safety, convenience, and attractiveness—principles that have guided North York's development since its establishment in the late 19th century as an important transportation corridor in York County.