Lighting Regulations in Pickerington, Ohio: A Guide to Property Illumination Requirements

Introduction

Founded in 1815 by Abraham Pickering, the city of Pickerington has grown from a small settlement of just 150 residents to a thriving suburban community of approximately 23,000. While lacking a designated historical district, Pickerington balances growth with preservation of its suburban charm and family-friendly environment.

The city's approach to lighting regulations reflects this balance - ensuring public spaces are safe and accessible while preventing light pollution that could disrupt the community's residential tranquility. These regulations help maintain Pickerington's high quality of life while supporting its continued development.

Quick Reference Guide

• Minimum Illumination Levels:
• Multi-family areas: 0.5 footcandles
• Office/commercial/industrial: 1.0 footcandles
• Adult cabarets: 3.0 footcandles horizontal (measured at 30 inches)
• Maximum Illumination:
• General maximum: 10.0 footcandles
• At residential property lines: 0.3 footcandles (measured 10 feet beyond property line)
• Light Fixture Heights:
• Buildings under 15,000 sq ft: 25 feet maximum (including base)
• Buildings 15,000+ sq ft: 37 feet maximum (including base)
• Required Light Sources:
• High-pressure sodium or metal halide
• Refractive or opaque design

Residential Lighting Requirements

Subdivision Requirements

Pickerington has specific lighting requirements for new residential subdivisions:

• Street Lights: Required at each intersection with underground electric service
• Site Plan Approval: Street light plans must receive approval from the Service Director
• Front Yard Pole Lights: Required for each lot or every 125 linear feet of frontage (whichever results in more lights)
• Control Requirements: All residential pole lights must be controlled by photo-electric switches
• Circuit Control: Lights may not be switchable from inside residences except from the circuit panel
• Power Source: Electricity must be furnished from the property where the light is located
• Long-term Maintenance: Deed restrictions must require continued maintenance, lighting, and periodic replacement of worn fixtures

Tree Maintenance and Lighting

Property owners must ensure trees do not interfere with street lighting:

• Trees overhanging streets must be pruned so branches don't obstruct light from street lamps
• The City Manager may require trimming of vegetation that interferes with the vision of street lights

Commercial and Industrial Lighting

General Requirements

Several consistent requirements appear throughout Pickerington's commercial lighting regulations:

• Direct Light Restrictions: Exterior lighting must be shaded to avoid casting direct light on adjacent properties or streets
• Prohibited Lighting: No colored or flashing lights for building illumination
• Light Source: All luminaries must be high-pressure sodium or metal halide with refractive or opaque design

Fixture Design Standards

Pickerington emphasizes aesthetic consistency in lighting fixtures:

• Nonresidential Developments: Must use cut-off style fixtures of traditional or historic reproduction design
• Decorative Elements: Required to use gooseneck style arms on decorative poles with clam shell bases
• Industrial Buildings: May have different fixtures if compatible with building architecture and scale
• Material Requirements: All exterior lighting for vehicular and pedestrian areas must use decorative post and arm construction made of cast aluminum, cast iron, or cast steel

State Route 256 Corridor

Special requirements apply along State Route 256:

• Street lighting should use similar fixtures along the entire corridor to promote identity and continuity
• Must provide sufficient light levels for safety and visibility

Parking Lot Lighting Standards

Pickerington has detailed requirements for parking area illumination:

Illumination Requirements

• Minimum Level: 0.5 footcandles maintained when measured at grade
• Light Loss Factor: Design calculations must use 0.8 LLF
• Uniformity Ratios:
• Maximum to minimum: Must not exceed 10:1
• Average to minimum: Must not exceed 4:1

Fixture Height and Style

• Retail Parking:
• Light source must be concealed and cut-off in design
• Fixtures should be 12-30 feet in height with dark poles
• Multi-family Parking:
• Light source should be decorative in style and provide natural color
• Fixtures should be 12-30 feet in height with dark poles

Specialized Lighting Requirements

Digital Menu Boards

• Maximum Luminescence: Cannot exceed three-tenths foot candle greater than ambient light level
• Measurement Formula: Square root of (sign area × 100)
• Automatic Dimming: Required to adjust illumination to ambient light levels
• Maintenance: If over 10% of illumination area fails, use must cease until repaired
• Prohibited: Flashing content not allowed

Olde Pickerington Village

This area has special sign lighting restrictions:

• Internally lit signs: Not permitted
• External lighting: Allowed if light source is cut-off to only illuminate the sign face
• Ground-mounted lights: Must be screened from public view, preferably with landscaping
• Wall-mounted lights: Should be architecturally appropriate for the building

Adult Cabarets

• Minimum Level: 3.0 foot candles horizontal (measured at 30 inches)
• Distribution: Lighting must be sufficient and equally distributed throughout public areas

Construction and Safety Lighting

• Barricades and Warning Lights: Required at night for any excavation, well, cesspool or structure under construction
• Protection: Adequate barricades and warning lights must be maintained to prevent danger to life or limb
• Prohibited Damage: No person shall destroy, remove, damage or extinguish any barricade or warning light

Supporting Pickerington's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares Pickerington's commitment to balancing community growth with preservation of suburban charm. As a regional manufacturer, we understand the unique challenges of providing adequate illumination for safety while respecting residential tranquility.

Our team appreciates Pickerington's detailed specifications for fixture style and illumination levels, which help maintain the community's aesthetic character. We're particularly aligned with the city's emphasis on traditional and historic reproduction lighting designs in commercial areas, which reflects our own dedication to quality craftsmanship.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating Pickerington's lighting regulations. Our expertise in regional architectural styles and understanding of suburban community needs allows us to support residents and businesses in creating lighting solutions that enhance the community while meeting all regulatory requirements.

We remain committed to sustainable and responsible lighting practices that support Pickerington's vision for a well-lit, safe, and aesthetically pleasing community environment.

Conclusion

Pickerington's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to maintaining a high quality of life while supporting continued development. The focus on proper illumination for safety, coupled with restrictions to prevent light pollution onto residential properties, helps preserve the suburban charm that makes Pickerington special.

Property owners should pay particular attention to the specific illumination levels, fixture heights, and styling requirements that apply to their property type. While the regulations are detailed, they provide clear guidance for creating lighting that enhances both safety and community aesthetics.

By following these regulations, property owners contribute to Pickerington's ongoing efforts to balance growth with preservation of its unique character and family-friendly environment.