Lighting Regulations in Bradford, Ohio: A Simple Guide to Existing Requirements

Introduction

Bradford, Ohio, like many small towns, balances the need for adequate lighting with preventing light nuisance to neighbors. While Bradford doesn't have extensive lighting regulations, the village does maintain specific requirements focused primarily on safety lighting and sign illumination.

Understanding these regulations helps property owners maintain compliance while contributing to the overall safety and aesthetic quality of the community. This guide summarizes the lighting regulations that do exist in Bradford's building code and explains what they mean for property owners.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Safety Lighting: Required for construction sites, excavations and certain repairs
• Sign Illumination: Restricted based on location, with specific rules for business districts
• Light Nuisance Prevention: Regulations to prevent glare affecting neighboring properties
• Residential Considerations: Stricter limitations near residential zones
• Home Occupation Signs: Must be non-illuminated
• Public Building Signs: May be illuminated only from concealed light sources

Safety Lighting Requirements

Construction & Excavation Sites

Bradford requires adequate lighting for safety purposes in specific situations:

• Construction Sites: Any construction, reconstruction, repair or alteration must include warning lights at night if the condition could pose a danger
• Excavations: All excavations, wells, cesspools, or similar hazards must be guarded by warning lights at night
• Sewer Work: Excavations for building sewer installation or repairs must be adequately guarded with lights to protect the public

Building Safety Standards

The village code also addresses lighting from a safety perspective:

• Structures with inadequate light may be deemed unsafe buildings and serious hazards
• This applies to both residential and commercial properties
• Adequate lighting is considered a basic requirement for building safety

Sign Illumination Regulations

Bradford's most detailed lighting regulations focus on signs. These vary by location and sign type.

General Sign Illumination Standards

• Illumination Type: Cannot be flashing or intermittent
• Light Focus: Must concentrate illumination on the sign area only
• Glare Prevention: Must prevent light spillage onto streets or adjacent properties
• Curfew Requirement: Illumination must be turned off by 11:00 p.m. or the end of business day (whichever is later) when within 200 feet of residential districts

Business & Industrial District Signs

Signs in business and industrial zones have specific requirements:

• May be illuminated internally or by reflected light
• Light source must not be directly visible
• Light must be arranged to reflect away from adjoining premises
• Illumination must not cause confusion for traffic or conflict with traffic control lights
• Signs exceeding 50 square feet: Must be at least 50 feet from residential lot lines
• Signs exceeding 100 square feet: Must be at least 100 feet from residential front lot lines
• Signs with flashing or pulsating illumination require a conditional use permit

Special Sign Categories

Different rules apply to special sign categories:

• Home Occupation Signs: Must be non-illuminated
• Institutional Signs: Bulletin boards and signs for churches, schools, public buildings, and large multiple dwellings may be illuminated only from a concealed light source
• Subdivision Signs: Cannot be illuminated under any circumstances

Preventing Light Nuisance

Bradford's code contains several provisions aimed at preventing lighting from becoming a nuisance:

• Glare Isolation: Glare from any property "should be isolated from residential uses"
• Sign Nuisance: No sign shall create a nuisance due to "glare, focus, animation or flashing"
• Development Applications: Applicants must explain "glare effects" on adjoining properties when seeking approval
• Compatibility Assessment: Lighting impacts are considered when evaluating general compatibility with adjacent properties

What Property Owners Should Know

Common Compliance Issues

When planning lighting for your property, keep these key points in mind:

• The primary focus is on preventing light spillage onto neighboring properties
• Sign illumination has the most specific regulations
• Safety lighting is required during construction and for hazardous conditions
• Always consider proximity to residential areas when planning lighting

Planning for New Construction

If you're developing or redeveloping property in Bradford:

• Include street lights in your utility plans as required
• Explain how you'll mitigate glare impacts on neighboring properties
• Consider concealed light sources for any signs that will be illuminated
• Remember that more restrictions apply when near residential zones

Supporting Bradford's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands the unique character of communities like Bradford. As a regional lighting expert, we share Bradford's commitment to balancing adequate lighting for safety while preventing nuisance to neighbors.

Our team appreciates the village's approach to lighting regulations that focus on:

• Safety first - ensuring adequate lighting where needed for public protection
• Neighborhood consideration - preventing light trespass that affects residential areas
• Appropriate signage illumination - allowing businesses to be visible without creating glare

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource to help property owners understand and comply with local lighting regulations while maintaining Bradford's community character.

Conclusion

Bradford's lighting regulations focus primarily on safety lighting and controlling sign illumination. While not as extensive as those in larger municipalities, these requirements help maintain community character while ensuring adequate lighting for safety.

Property owners should pay special attention to:

• Safety lighting requirements during construction and repairs
• Sign illumination restrictions, particularly near residential areas
• Preventing glare impacts on neighboring properties

By understanding and following these regulations, property owners can contribute to Bradford's safety and aesthetic quality while avoiding potential compliance issues.