Lighting Regulations in Bellefontaine, Ohio: Preserving Historical Character While Ensuring Safety and Function

Bellefontaine, Ohio—a city steeped in historical significance as the home of America's first concrete street and once a bustling railroad hub—balances its rich architectural heritage with practical modern needs through thoughtful lighting regulations. These guidelines reflect the community's commitment to maintaining its distinctive character while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality.

Quick Reference Guide

Key Lighting Requirements in Bellefontaine:

• Downtown Buildings: Indirect lighting required with hidden light sources
• Signage Illumination: Specific technical requirements for fluorescent and incandescent lamps
• Common Areas: Sixty-watt standard incandescent light bulb (or equivalent) per 200 square feet
• Exterior Stairways: Minimum illumination of one footcandle (11 lux)
• Parking Areas: Light must be directed away from residential districts
• Wireless Towers: Generally prohibited from being illuminated unless required by law

Downtown District Lighting Guidelines

Bellefontaine's downtown area features distinctive historical buildings that represent the city's heritage dating back to its 1820 founding. Lighting regulations in this district are designed to enhance these architectural treasures while providing adequate illumination.

Purpose and Function

Downtown lighting serves multiple important functions:

• Illuminating building facades and entrances
• Highlighting signage for businesses
• Ensuring personal safety for pedestrians
• Enhancing aesthetic appeal of historical structures

Technical Requirements

The city provides specific guidelines for downtown lighting:

• Indirect illumination only – light sources must be hidden from pedestrian and motorist view
• No colored lighting schemes – to maintain continuity throughout downtown
• Shaded gooseneck lamps are encouraged for exterior sign illumination
• Matching fixtures – property owners adding lighting must match approved Bellefontaine styles

Non-Conforming Buildings

Even buildings that don't conform to current standards are encouraged to follow the Design Guidelines for lighting. The Design Review Board conducts special reviews to determine appropriateness for these structures.

Sign Illumination Standards

Bellefontaine maintains detailed technical specifications for illuminated signs to ensure safety, aesthetic consistency, and appropriate light levels.

Sign Definitions

• Sign, illuminated: Any sign illuminated by electricity, gas, or other artificial light including reflecting or phosphorescent light
• Sign, lighting device: Any light, string of lights, or group of lights arranged to cast illumination on a sign

Technical Specifications

For electric illuminated signs:

• Must conform to all city electrical installation ordinances
• Fluorescent lamp limitations:
• No more than 425 milliamperes
• Transformers limited to thirty milliamperes capacity
• 800 milliampere lamps permitted with minimum 9-inch spacing between lamps
• Lamps must be at least 5 inches from inside face of sign
• Incandescent lamp limitations:
• No more than 75 watts per lamp
• Minimum 9-inch spacing between lamps (center to center)

Downtown Sign Requirements

All exterior signs in the Downtown Bellefontaine District must include a "full and accurate description of illumination" in their application.

Residential and Common Area Lighting

Bellefontaine's code includes specific requirements for lighting within residential and common areas to ensure safety and habitability.

Common Hallways and Stairways

• Minimum lighting required: Sixty-watt standard incandescent light bulb (or equivalent) per 200 square feet
• Maximum spacing: Lights must be no more than 30 feet apart
• Exterior stairways: Minimum illumination of one footcandle (11 lux) at floors, landings and treads

Residential Space Requirements

• Required fixtures: Every public hall, interior stairway, toilet compartment, bathroom, laundry room and furnace room must have at least one electric lighting fixture
• Natural light requirement: Habitable spaces need windows with area equal to at least 8% of floor area (except kitchens with artificial light)
• Property owner responsibility: The owner must provide and maintain lighting conditions that comply with these requirements

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Parking Areas

• Lighting for off-street parking must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining premises in any residential district
• This prevents light trespass that could disturb neighboring residents

Wireless Communication Facilities

• Generally prohibited from illumination unless required by law
• If FAA regulations require lighting:
• White strobe lights not permitted at night (unless no other FAA-approved alternative exists)
• Lighting design must cause least disturbance to surrounding views
• Security lighting permitted only with prior Planning Commission approval

Industrial Areas

• Industrial uses must utilize landscaping and existing woodlands to screen lighting from view
• This creates "park-like surroundings" that minimize visual impact of industrial operations

What Property Owners Should Know

Nuisance Considerations

"Glare" is specifically listed as a nuisance factor in Bellefontaine. Property owners should be mindful that excessive or poorly directed lighting can:

• Be perceived as offensive
• Cross property lines
• Potentially violate city regulations

Street Lighting Responsibilities

For new developments:

• Developers are responsible for installation costs of street lighting in accordance with City Engineer standards
• Street lighting remains the developer's responsibility until formal approval and acceptance by the City

Safety Requirements

• Construction sites and excavations require adequate barricades and warning lights at night
• It is illegal to damage, remove or extinguish barricades or warning lights intended for public safety

Supporting Bellefontaine's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, shares Bellefontaine's commitment to preserving historical character while ensuring modern functionality. We understand the unique balance required in a city that features both America's first concrete street and the architectural treasure of the Holland Theater.

Our experience with regional architectural styles enables us to appreciate Bellefontaine's efforts to maintain its distinct historical identity through appropriate lighting standards. We recognize that communities like Bellefontaine require lighting solutions that respect historical aesthetics while providing necessary illumination for safety and function.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations, with particular understanding of the technical requirements for downtown districts and historic buildings. Our commitment to sustainable lighting practices aligns with Bellefontaine's vision for thoughtful development that honors its past while embracing appropriate modern innovations.

Conclusion

Bellefontaine's lighting regulations reflect its identity as a city with significant historical importance that continues to evolve thoughtfully. From the specific technical requirements for sign illumination to the aesthetic guidelines for downtown lighting, these regulations aim to create a cohesive, safe, and visually appealing environment.

Property owners should pay particular attention to the specific technical requirements for their lighting installations, especially regarding fixture types in downtown areas, light direction for parking areas, and illumination levels for common spaces. By understanding and following these guidelines, residents and business owners contribute to preserving Bellefontaine's distinctive character while ensuring appropriate lighting for safety and functionality.