Lighting Regulations in Springdale, Ohio: Balancing Growth and Community Values

Introduction: Understanding Springdale's Lighting Approach

Springdale, Ohio, with its incorporation in 1959, has evolved into a dynamic community that successfully balances residential neighborhoods with a robust commercial and industrial presence. As a key part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, Springdale's strategic location near major highways has fueled its development while maintaining community values.

With a resident population of approximately 11,007 that swells to over 52,000 during the day due to commercial activities, Springdale faces unique challenges in managing lighting to ensure safety, security, and aesthetic harmony throughout its various districts. The city's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to creating a well-organized community environment that serves both businesses and residents effectively.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Essential lighting standards in Springdale include:

• Outdoor Lighting: Must use cutoff fixtures that prevent light from being emitted above a horizontal line parallel to the ground
• Maximum Property Line Illumination: 0.5 footcandles at residential boundaries; 2.5 footcandles at non-residential boundaries
• Parking Areas: Minimum average maintained horizontal illumination of one foot candle
• Light Poles and Fixtures: Must be dark and non-reflective in color
• Colored Lights/LED Strips: Require Planning Commission approval when used for building accent lighting or window/door trimming
• Electronic Signs: Must have automatic dimming capability and cannot cause light trespass onto residential properties

Outdoor Lighting Fundamentals

Purpose of Lighting Regulations

Springdale's outdoor lighting regulations serve a dual purpose: to prevent the spillover of light and glare that might affect motor vehicle operators, pedestrians, and nearby properties, while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security. The regulations maintain Springdale's balance between growth and community values.

When Lighting Plans Are Required

A lighting plan must be submitted for:

• Properties with parking for five or more vehicles
• Any building, structure, or land use requiring parking plan approval
• Projects requiring building, sign, or electrical permits for lighting fixtures (at Building Official's discretion)

Detailed Plan Requirements

Lighting plans must include:

• Locations of all site lighting (on-building, security, flood, parking lot)
• Intensity levels showing footcandle measurements for the site and 30 feet onto adjacent properties
• Minimum, maximum, and average illumination values
• Fixture details including manufacturer, model, and lamp type
• Height of all lighting fixtures
• Hours of operation for the proposed lighting

Technical Standards for Different Activity Levels

Springdale categorizes lighting needs by activity level, with specific technical requirements for each:

Low Activity Areas

• Maximum Height: 15 feet
• Average Illumination: 1.0 footcandle
• Maximum Illumination: 5.0 footcandles
• Typical Uses: Multi-family dwellings, education facilities, places of worship, local commercial and industrial uses

Medium Activity Areas

• Maximum Height: 24 feet
• Average Illumination: 2.0 footcandles
• Maximum Illumination: 10.0 footcandles
• Typical Uses: Community and neighborhood shopping centers, office parks, hospitals, commuter lots

High Activity Areas

• Maximum Height: 32 feet
• Average Illumination: 3.0 footcandles
• Maximum Illumination: 15.0 footcandles
• Typical Uses: Regional shopping centers, motorist services at expressway interchanges, athletic facilities, regional facilities

Uniformity Standards

• Maximum to minimum footcandle ratio should not exceed 15:1
• Access drive illumination should not exceed the average footcandles of adjacent public roads

Property Line Light Trespass Restrictions

Maximum Illumination at Property Lines

• Residential District Boundaries: 0.5 footcandles maximum
• Non-residential Boundaries:
• 0.5 footcandles when adjacent to residential districts
• 2.5 footcandles when adjacent to non-residential districts

Shielding Requirements

• All non-residential lighting must be located, screened, or shielded to prevent direct illumination of adjacent residential areas
• High-intensity fixtures require additional shielding to prevent glare
• Perimeter lighting must use full cutoff fixtures to prevent light trespass

Sign Illumination Standards

General Requirements

• Light sources must be shielded from adjacent residential buildings and streets
• Intensity cannot cause hazardous glare for pedestrians or drivers
• Neon, LED accent lighting, and translucent awnings require Planning Commission approval
• Malfunctioning lights must be either fully functional or turned off completely

Electronic Signs

Electronic signs have specific technical requirements:

• Maximum Daytime Brightness:
• 0-50 feet high: 7,500 nits
• 51+ feet high: 6,000 nits
• Maximum Nighttime Brightness:
• 0-8 feet high: 500 nits
• 9-25 feet high: 500 nits
• 26-50 feet high: 1,500 nits
• 51+ feet high: 1,500 nits
• LED Pitch Spacing:
• 0-8 feet high: 12 mm
• 9-25 feet high: 16 mm
• 26+ feet high: 25 mm
• Automatic dimming capability is required
• Light trespass onto residential properties is prohibited
• Technology: Full-color LED technology is required

Special Lighting Situations

Building Illumination

• Building accent lighting from concealed sources may be permitted
• Colored lights, neon, and LED strip lighting for building accents, window trimming, or door trimming require Planning Commission approval

Temporary Search Lights

• Light sources must be shielded from adjacent residential areas
• Duration limited to two consecutive weeks and four occasions per calendar year
• Minimum interval of one month between occasions at the same location

Parking Lot Illumination

• Minimum requirement: Average maintained horizontal illumination of one foot candle on parking surfaces and walkways

Interior Lighting for Multi-Family Buildings

• Public areas: Hallways, corridors, stairways, and fire escapes require minimum illumination of three foot-candles
• Service areas: Boiler rooms, laundries, basements, and other common areas also require minimum three foot-candle illumination

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for New Lighting

When planning new lighting installations, remember to:

• Consult early with the Building Official about lighting plan requirements
• Select appropriate fixtures that comply with cutoff requirements
• Calculate illumination levels to ensure compliance with maximum/minimum standards
• Consider neighbors when placing lights near property boundaries
• Choose dark, non-reflective colors for light poles and fixtures

Maintaining Existing Lighting

For existing lighting installations:

• Non-functioning lights must be either repaired or turned off completely
• Replacement fixtures must comply with current standards when replacing nonconforming lighting
• Removal of nonconforming poles results in the loss of legal nonconforming status

Supporting Springdale's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Ohio dating back to 1918, shares Springdale's commitment to creating well-balanced communities that maintain safety and aesthetic appeal. We understand the unique challenges faced by diverse communities like Springdale, where commercial vibrancy must coexist with residential tranquility.

Our team appreciates Springdale's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations that support both its daytime population of over 52,000 and its residential community of about 11,000. The city's careful attention to light trespass prevention, appropriate illumination levels, and aesthetic considerations aligns with our own philosophy of responsible lighting practices.

As a regional manufacturer, Bock Lighting is committed to helping communities like Springdale maintain their distinctive character while meeting modern lighting needs. We serve as an educational resource on lighting regulations and technologies, helping property owners navigate requirements while achieving their illumination goals.

Conclusion

Springdale's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to balancing growth with community values. By establishing clear standards for outdoor lighting, the city ensures that illumination enhances safety and aesthetic appeal without creating nuisances for neighbors or hazards for drivers and pedestrians.

Property owners planning lighting installations should pay careful attention to the technical requirements for their specific activity level and location. With proper planning and compliance with the established standards, lighting can contribute positively to Springdale's continued development as a vibrant, safe, and appealing community.