Lighting Regulations in Ashland, Kentucky: Balancing Safety, History, and Neighborhood Character

Introduction

Founded in 1799 as Poage's Landing and later renamed in 1854 after Henry Clay's Lexington estate, Ashland, Kentucky, has evolved into eastern Kentucky's largest urban center while maintaining strong ties to its historical roots. With approximately 21,025 residents, this city serves as a regional hub for healthcare, commerce, and culture.

Ashland's rich architectural heritage is evident in both its residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. As the city balances growth with preservation, its lighting regulations reflect this commitment to maintaining community character while ensuring public safety and convenience.

Quick Reference Guide to Ashland's Lighting Requirements

• Residential Protection: All outdoor lighting must be directed away from residential properties or properly shielded • Parking Requirements: Nonresidential facilities with 10+ spaces must be adequately lighted • Sign Illumination: Illuminated signs must conform to national, state, and local electrical codes • Prohibited Features: Rotating, flashing, and moving lights are generally prohibited (with limited exceptions) • Shielding Requirements: Flood and display lighting must be shielded to prevent direct light and glare • Incandescent Bulbs: Exposed incandescent bulbs for signs must not exceed 15 watts each • National Electric Code: All electrical installations must comply with NEC standards

Outdoor Lighting Requirements

Residential Area Protection

The primary focus of Ashland's lighting regulations is protecting residential areas from light intrusion. The city code specifically requires that outdoor nonresidential lighting facilities and fixtures used to illuminate signs, buildings, parking areas, or other elements must be arranged so that:

• Light sources do not shine directly into adjacent residential properties • Lighting does not interfere with traffic safety • Fixtures must be designed and located to direct light away from residential areas • Proper shielding is required to protect residential zones

Parking and Loading Areas

Ashland requires appropriate lighting for commercial parking facilities:

• Nonresidential facilities with ten or more spaces must be lighted • All parking area lighting must use shielding to prevent glare on adjacent properties and streets • Businesses must provide adequate outside lighting for customer safety • Loading area lighting must also be shielded to prevent glare on neighboring properties

Business Owner Responsibilities

Business owners should note that proper lighting isn't just about code compliance—it's a responsibility to customers and the community:

• Licensees must maintain security on their premises through adequate lighting • Proper illumination helps promote safety, health, and welfare of the general public • Well-designed lighting contributes to the overall aesthetic of Ashland's commercial districts

Sign Illumination Regulations

Permitted Illumination Types

Ashland's code provides clear definitions and requirements for sign illumination:

• Indirectly Illuminated Signs: Defined as structures illuminated by external lights directed primarily toward the sign, with shielding to prevent direct rays from being visible elsewhere • Self-Illuminated Signs: Limited to those lighted internally with glass or plastic faces bearing advertisement • Exposed Lighting Elements: Neon tubing and exposed incandescent bulbs not exceeding 15 watts each are permitted

Prohibited Lighting Features

The city prohibits several types of sign illumination:

• Rotating, moving, scintillating, blinking or flashing illumination signs (except for randomly blinking Tivoli lights or those permitted by conditional use) • Signs with flashing, intermittent or moving lights (except those displaying public information like time, temperature, and date) • Theater marquees are exempt from these restrictions

Technical Requirements

Sign permit applications must include detailed information about illumination:

• Drawings showing the source of illumination and its relationship to buildings or structures • All illuminated signs must conform to national, state, and local electric codes • Flood and display lighting requires proper shielding to prevent direct rays or glare • Electronic reader boards are limited to more than 32 square feet of area

Small Cell Tower Lighting

As telecommunications infrastructure expands, Ashland has specific lighting regulations for small cell towers:

• New small cell towers shall not be illuminated except when required by state/federal regulations • Illumination is permitted when integral to stealth technology (like designs resembling street light poles) • In areas with underground utilities, small cell towers must incorporate telecommunications equipment into streetscape amenities such as decorative lamp posts or streetlights

Electrical Code Requirements

All lighting installations in Ashland must adhere to established safety standards:

• § 120.66 requires all electrical wiring and installations to comply with the National Electrical Code • This code is incorporated into the State Standards of Safety • The NEC is adopted as the minimum standard for the city • This applies to all electrical apparatus and appliances for furnishing light, heat, or power

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning Your Lighting Project

When designing outdoor lighting for your property in Ashland:

1. Consider neighboring properties: Position lighting to avoid shine into residential areas
2. Use appropriate shielding: Prevent direct view of light sources from residences or streets
3. Follow electrical codes: Ensure all installations meet National Electrical Code requirements
4. Apply for proper permits: Include detailed lighting plans in your applications
5. Balance security and aesthetics: Meet safety needs while respecting Ashland's character

Common Compliance Challenges

Property owners often encounter these challenges when working with lighting regulations:

• Balancing visibility and glare: Providing adequate illumination without creating light trespass • Understanding technical requirements: Navigating electrical codes and shielding specifications • Historical district considerations: Maintaining period-appropriate lighting in historic areas • Sign illumination limitations: Working within restrictions on animated or flashing displays

Supporting Ashland's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands the unique lighting needs of communities like Ashland that balance historical preservation with modern safety requirements.

Having served the region for generations, Bock appreciates Ashland's commitment to maintaining its distinctive character while providing adequate illumination for safety and convenience. Our experience with communities throughout the region has shown that thoughtful lighting design can enhance historical areas rather than detract from them.

Ashland's emphasis on protecting residential areas from light trespass aligns with our philosophy of responsible lighting practices. We believe lighting should serve the community by improving safety and aesthetics without creating nuisance glare or excessive brightness.

As a regional partner, we're committed to helping communities understand lighting regulations and develop solutions that respect local architectural styles. Our expertise is available as an educational resource for property owners navigating the complexities of modern lighting requirements.

Conclusion

Ashland's lighting regulations reflect the city's dual commitments to public safety and historical preservation. By focusing on protecting residential areas from light intrusion, ensuring adequate illumination in commercial areas, and maintaining specific standards for sign lighting, these regulations help preserve Ashland's character while meeting modern needs.

Property owners should approach lighting projects with an understanding of these requirements, particularly the need for proper shielding and directional control of light sources. By working within these guidelines, residents and businesses can contribute to Ashland's distinctive atmosphere while ensuring safe, well-lit environments.

For the complete text of Ashland's lighting regulations, residents should consult the official city code or contact the city's planning department directly.