Lighting Regulations in South Annville Township, Pennsylvania: Preserving Community Character While Ensuring Safety

Introduction: Balancing History and Modern Needs

South Annville Township, nestled in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, is a community that takes pride in its rich historical legacy. With roots deeply connected to agricultural and milling activities—as evidenced by landmarks like Umberger's Mill, one of the last family-owned mills in the United States—the township has always valued its architectural heritage and small-town atmosphere.

With a population of just under 3,000 residents (as of the 2000 census), South Annville maintains its close-knit community feel while addressing modern development needs. The township's approach to lighting regulations reflects this balance: preserving the historical ambiance while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses.

These lighting regulations aren't just arbitrary rules—they're designed to maintain the character that makes South Annville special while providing adequate illumination for safety and convenience.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Key lighting requirements in South Annville Township:

• Maximum pole height: 25 feet for all lighting installations
• Maximum ground illumination: 3 foot-candles in most areas
• Minimum illumination for parks: 1 foot-candle for pedestrian and vehicle safety
• Parking area lighting: Minimum average of 2 foot-candles at 3 feet above surface
• Access drive lighting: Minimum average of 0.5 foot-candles at 3 feet above surface
• Glare limitations: Maximum 0.5 foot-candles at residential district boundaries
• Light direction: All lighting must be directed downward and away from neighboring properties
• Prohibited lighting: Pulsating, flashing, or sky-directed illumination

General Lighting Standards for All Properties

Light Fixture Positioning and Direction

The township places significant emphasis on how light fixtures are positioned. All lighting must be arranged to reflect light downward and away from adjoining premises and public rights-of-way. This requirement appears consistently throughout the regulations and applies to nearly all lighting installations.

Specifically, flood lights, sport lights, and other similar lighting devices must be:

• Arranged or shielded to illuminate parallel to the ground
• Never directed in an upward direction
• Positioned to prevent light trespass onto neighboring properties

Illumination Levels and Light Angle

South Annville Township has established clear parameters for illumination levels:

• The maximum illumination at ground level shall not exceed 3 foot-candles
• The maximum angle of the cone of direct illumination shall be 60 degrees drawn perpendicular to the ground
• This angle may be increased to 90 degrees if the luminary is less than 4 feet above the ground

Light Pole Height and Installation Requirements

For all lighting installations:

• Luminaries may not be placed more than 25 feet above the ground
• All lighting plans must be delineated on submitted plans and include photometrics
• Appropriate footer and mounting details must be included on plans
• Light fixture and pole styles must be approved by the Township

Glare Limitations

The township has established strict standards to minimize the impact of lighting on residential areas:

• Direct or indirect light must not cause illumination exceeding 0.5 foot-candles when measured within a residential district or at an adjoining residential use
• Indirect glare shall not exceed a maximum of 0.3 foot-candles and an average of 0.1 foot-candles
• Deliberately induced sky-reflected glare, such as beams directed upward for advertising purposes, is prohibited

Property-Specific Lighting Requirements

Park Lighting

All parks in South Annville Township must be equipped with lighting that ensures the safety of visitors:

• Lighting units must be spaced and equipped with luminaires to provide a minimum illumination level of 1 foot-candle
• This minimum level is required for the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles at night

Parking and Pedestrian Areas

The township has established specific standards for parking areas, loading zones, and pedestrian walkways:

• Minimum average illumination of 2 foot-candles at an elevation of 3 feet above the surface
• All lighting must be directed downward and away from adjoining properties
• Maximum pole height of 25 feet
• Complete lighting plans with photometrics must be submitted for approval

Access Drive Lighting

Any subdivision or land development plan that includes an access drive must provide adequate lighting:

• Minimum average illumination of 0.5 foot-candles at 3 feet above the surface
• Light must be directed downward and away from adjoining premises
• Maximum pole height of 25 feet
• The green area along access drives may be utilized for lighting installation

Fuel Station Lighting

Fuel stations have specific lighting requirements to ensure safety while preventing excessive illumination:

• All lights must be diverted inward and downward
• Lighting levels at outdoor fueling areas must be between 10-45 foot-candles at ground level
• Lighting in parking areas and traffic aisles must be between 3-10 foot-candles at ground level

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Home-Based Businesses

The township has specific requirements for home-based businesses to maintain the residential character of neighborhoods:

• No-impact home-based businesses shall have no outside appearance of business use, including lights
• Any signs for home occupations, if lighted, must be illuminated without objectionable glare

Solar Energy Systems

To prevent unintended consequences from renewable energy installations:

• All large-scale solar energy systems must be designed and located to prevent reflective glare toward inhabited buildings on adjacent properties and street rights-of-way

Communications Towers

The township restricts lighting on communications infrastructure:

• No lights shall be mounted on communications towers except as required by the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, or other governmental entity

Retreats and Special Event Venues

For properties hosting events:

• Light shows audible or visible off retreat property are prohibited
• All lighting installations must comply with the township's general lighting requirements

Sign Illumination Guidelines

General Sign Lighting Standards

The township has established specific guidelines for sign illumination:

• No sign shall be illuminated to create a glaring effect on vehicular traffic or adjacent properties
• No sign shall be illuminated in a way that constitutes a nuisance
• Signs cannot contain moving parts or use flashing or intermittent illumination
• The light source must be continuous and stationary

Special Sign Categories

Different types of signs have specific illumination requirements:

• Home occupation signs and institutional signs/bulletin boards must be illuminated without objectionable glare
• LED lights are permitted for fuel price display signs, with specific color bulbs allowed

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for New Lighting Installations

When planning new outdoor lighting in South Annville Township:

1. Submit detailed lighting plans including photometrics with your development application
2. Ensure plans include appropriate footer and mounting details
3. Select fixture and pole styles that will be acceptable to the Township
4. Design your lighting to direct illumination downward and away from neighboring properties
5. Calculate foot-candle levels to ensure compliance with minimum and maximum requirements

Avoiding Common Compliance Issues

The most common lighting compliance issues in South Annville Township include:

• Excessive light trespass onto neighboring properties
• Upward-directed lighting that creates sky glow
• Light poles that exceed the 25-foot height restriction
• Illumination levels that exceed maximum permitted foot-candles
• Inadequate shielding of light fixtures

Supporting South Annville's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares South Annville Township's commitment to preserving community character while ensuring safety and functionality. We understand the delicate balance required in communities like South Annville, where historical preservation and modern needs must coexist harmoniously.

Our experience with regional architectural styles and lighting needs positions us to provide guidance that respects South Annville's unique character. We appreciate the township's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations that protect its small-town atmosphere while ensuring adequate illumination for safety.

As lighting technology continues to evolve, Bock remains committed to helping communities like South Annville navigate the changing landscape while maintaining their distinctive character. Our focus is on providing education about lighting regulations and solutions that maintain the integrity of historic areas while meeting modern standards.

Conclusion

South Annville Township's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to preserving its historical character while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses. By establishing clear standards for illumination levels, fixture positioning, and glare limitations, the township maintains the quality of life for all community members.

Property owners who understand and follow these regulations not only avoid potential compliance issues but also contribute to the preservation of South Annville's unique character and atmosphere. These thoughtful lighting standards help ensure that South Annville Township remains a charming, safe, and attractive community for generations to come.