Lighting Regulations in Tipp City, Ohio: Balancing Historic Character with Modern Standards

Introduction

Tipp City, Ohio, originally founded as Tippecanoe City in 1840, boasts a rich architectural heritage that reflects its historical development alongside the Miami and Erie Canal. The city's commitment to preserving its distinctive 19th-century architecture, particularly in the Old Tippecanoe Main Street Historic District, has shaped many of its municipal regulations, including those governing lighting.

The lighting standards in Tipp City represent a thoughtful balance between preserving the community's historical character while meeting contemporary needs for safety, security, and functionality. These regulations help maintain the unique ambiance that makes Tipp City special while ensuring that lighting serves its essential purposes.

Quick Reference Guide to Tipp City Lighting Regulations

Key Outdoor Lighting Requirements:

• Lighting Direction: Most lighting must be directed downward
• Maximum Illumination at Property Lines: 2.5 foot-candles (general); 0.5 foot-candles (when adjacent to certain properties)
• Parking Area Illumination: Average of 2.0 foot-candles required for safety
• Permitted Light Colors: White and yellow only
• Light Fixture Heights: Vary by district and fixture type (see height table below)
• Permit Requirement: Electrical permit and inspection required for all permanent or temporary lighting

General Outdoor Lighting Requirements

Purpose and Applicability

Tipp City's outdoor lighting regulations (§154.07(B)) serve multiple purposes:

• Prevent excessive light spillage and glare onto adjacent properties
• Maintain adequate lighting levels for safety and security
• Ensure site lighting is appropriately designed and installed

These regulations apply to all new development and light fixture installations in the city with several exceptions:

• Single-family and two-family dwellings (though they cannot create glare onto adjacent properties)
• Existing athletic field lighting
• City-owned/maintained street lights within rights-of-way
• Lighting approved under a Certificate of Appropriateness

Core Lighting Standards

Technical Requirements:

• No flickering or flashing lights permitted (holiday decorations exempt)
• Downward direction required for all lighting (except low-wattage architectural lighting)
• Light trespass prevention: Exterior lighting cannot shine directly into adjacent residential yards, windows, or public rights-of-way
• Glare prevention: Fixtures exceeding 1,000 lumens must use full cut-off lenses or hoods
• Canopy lighting restriction: No light source in a canopy structure can extend below the lowest edge of the canopy ceiling
• Color limitations: Only white and yellow light colors are permitted

Illumination Levels

Tipp City has established specific illumination standards to balance visibility with minimizing light pollution:

• Maximum illumination at lot lines: 2.5 foot-candles
• Parking area illumination: Average of 2.0 foot-candles for safety purposes
• Special adjacency standard: Maximum of 0.5 foot-candles at lot lines adjacent to certain properties

Maximum Height Restrictions

Height limitations vary based on the type of fixture and the zoning district:

TABLE: Maximum Height of Light Fixtures

| District | Maximum Height of Non-Cutoff Lighting | Maximum Height of 90 Degree Cutoff Lighting | |----------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | All Residential Zoning Districts | 8 feet | 12 feet* | | All Nonresidential Zoning Districts | 8 feet | 32 feet |

*Note: When the bulb/lamp is completely recessed and shielded from view at 5 feet above grade, the maximum height may increase to 15 feet.

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Recreational Facilities

Tennis and Sport Courts:

• Maximum lighting height: 20 feet
• Direction: Must be aimed downward to illuminate only the court
• Must comply with general outdoor lighting standards (§154.07(B))

Warning Lights for Construction

For excavations or obstructions in public ways:

• Minimum of 2 illuminated red lamps required during nighttime
• Must be securely and conspicuously posted at each end of the obstruction/excavation
• One additional lamp required for each additional 50 feet of obstruction

Tree Maintenance for Lighting Effectiveness

Property owners must:

• Prune tree branches that obstruct light from streetlights
• Maintain clear visibility of street intersections and traffic signs
• Ensure 8 feet clearance above sidewalks and 15 feet above streets

Sign Illumination Requirements

General Sign Lighting Standards

• Signs may be illuminated by white, steady, stationary light
• Light must be directed solely at the sign
• Light fixtures must be screened from view using shields, grading, or evergreen shrubs
• Illumination cannot create hazards for vehicular traffic

Electronic Message Centers

Electronic message centers have specific technical requirements:

• Automatic dimming: Must include photocell technology that adjusts brightness based on ambient light
• Maximum brightness increase: No more than 0.3 foot-candles over ambient levels
• Technology limitations: Only LCD and LED technology permitted
• Maximum LED pitch: 35 millimeters

District-Specific Sign Lighting

• Monument signs: May only be illuminated through external light sources
• CC District and RA Overlay District: Individual plastic/metal letters, neon signs, and interior illumination are prohibited
• Drive-through signs: Must be internally illuminated

Sexually Oriented Business Lighting Standards

The city has established specific illumination requirements for sexually oriented businesses:

Exterior Lighting:

• Off-street parking areas and premises entries: Minimum average of 1 foot-candle illumination
• Must be maintained from dusk until closing hours

Interior Lighting:

• Minimum illumination of 2 foot-candles measured at floor level
• Lighting must be maintained whenever patrons are present

Telecommunication Towers and Wind Energy Systems

Lighting Limitations

Both telecommunication towers and Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) are subject to lighting restrictions:

• Prohibition on artificial lighting: Cannot be artificially lighted or marked unless required by law
• Height restrictions: Maximum height limited to avoid required artificial lighting
• FAA compliance: If lighting is required, applicants must provide detailed plans for lighting that is as unobtrusive as possible

What Property Owners Should Know

Permitting Requirements

Before installing any lighting on your property:

• Obtain an electrical permit
• Schedule an inspection after installation
• Ensure compliance with all applicable standards

Considerations for Historic Properties

For properties in or near Tipp City's historic districts:

• Lighting fixtures should be compatible with the architectural style of the structure
• Fixture scale should complement the building
• Harsh and colored light sources are prohibited

Balancing Safety and Character

When planning your exterior lighting:

• Focus on functionality while respecting neighborhood character
• Consider how lighting impacts the historic ambiance of Tipp City
• Remember that even residential properties must prevent light trespass onto neighboring properties

Supporting Tipp City's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, understands the unique challenges of balancing modern lighting needs with historic preservation. We share Tipp City's commitment to maintaining its distinctive architectural character while providing safe, functional lighting solutions.

As a regional manufacturer, Bock appreciates the special qualities that make communities like Tipp City unique. Our expertise in lighting design for historic contexts can help property owners navigate compliance with local regulations while enhancing the beauty of Tipp City's historic districts.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for communities working to preserve their historical integrity through appropriate lighting choices. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs allows us to support Tipp City's vision for thoughtful development that respects its canal-era heritage.

Conclusion

Tipp City's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to maintaining its historic character while providing for the safety and security needs of residents and businesses. By following these guidelines, property owners contribute to preserving the special ambiance that makes Tipp City a distinctive community with strong ties to its past.

Understanding and implementing these lighting standards helps ensure that development enhances rather than detracts from the city's architectural heritage. From the height and direction of light fixtures to the illumination levels at property lines, each aspect of Tipp City's lighting code serves to create a community that's both well-lit and historically authentic.