Lighting Regulations in Canton, Ohio: Balancing Safety, Aesthetics, and Historical Character

Introduction

Canton, Ohio—a city with roots dating back to 1805 and home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame—has developed lighting regulations that reflect its commitment to preserving historical character while meeting modern safety and visibility needs. These regulations help maintain Canton's distinctive urban landscape, which features diverse architectural styles including Victorian and early 20th-century commercial buildings.

Whether you're a business owner, residential property developer, or simply curious about local regulations, understanding Canton's lighting requirements is essential for compliance and contributing to the city's aesthetic vision.

Quick Reference Guide

• Light Trespass Limit: No more than 0.2 foot-candles detectable at any property boundary
• Illumination Level Requirements:
• Club premises: Minimum 10 foot-candles at floor level
• Adult entertainment venues: Minimum 5.0 foot-candles at floor level
• Sign Illumination Hours: 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. or 30 minutes past business closure
• Digital Display Brightness:
• Daytime: Maximum 5,000 nits
• Nighttime: Maximum 250 nits
• Light Pole Maximum Height: 20 feet (12-15 feet encouraged)
• Required Lighting Plans: Photometric plans required for lots with more than 20 parking spaces

General Lighting Requirements

Purpose of Canton's Lighting Regulations

Canton's lighting regulations aim "to encourage lighting practices and systems that minimize the degradation of the night-time visual environment while maintaining night-time safety and security and preventing glare, light trespass and light pollution." These standards help balance modern needs with the city's commitment to its historical character.

Core Lighting Principles

• Minimize Disability Glare: Both on and off property
• Limit Light Trespass: Beyond property boundaries
• Reduce Sky Illumination: To preserve night sky visibility
• Maintain Community Character: Lighting must be compatible with Canton's aesthetic character
• Prevent Nuisance: Outdoor lighting must not shine into eyes of persons external to premises

Technical Requirements for Fixtures

• Fixture Type: Full cut-off with low glare and directed lighting
• Shields: Top and side shields required for building-mounted floodlights
• Visibility Protection: Light sources must not be visible from any street right-of-way
• Glare Control: Achieved through cutoff fixtures, shields, baffles, and appropriate fixture placement (vegetation screens not acceptable as primary glare control)

Pole Height and Fixture Placement

• Maximum Height: 20 feet (the Commission encourages 12-15 foot light poles)
• Mounting Options: Area illuminators may be pole-mounted or building-mounted
• Special Mounting: The Board may approve greater heights for sports area luminaires with proper glare prevention

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Sign Lighting Requirements

• Light Source Visibility: Light sources shall not be visible from any street right-of-way
• Light Trespass: No more than 0.2 foot-candles of light shall be detectable at the boundary of any abutting property
• Timing Control: Signs shall provide an automatic timer to comply with regulations
• Hours: Signs may be illuminated from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., or 30 minutes past business closure, whichever is later

Types of Sign Illumination Permitted

• External Illumination: Source must be concealed by translucent covers; light must be steady, stationary, shielded, directed solely at the sign, and static in color
• Internal Illumination: Must be static in intensity and color
• Halo Illumination: Back-lit letters permitted in many districts

Sign Types with Illumination Restrictions

• Non-Illuminated Signs Required For:
• Limited duration signs
• Portable signs
• Temporary signs
• Home occupation signs
• Gasoline service station island signs
• Drive-through entrance signs
• ATM canopy signs

Digital Display Regulations

Brightness Standards

• Daytime: Maximum 5,000 nits between sunrise and sunset
• Nighttime: Maximum 250 nits and no greater than 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light
• Automatic Adjustment: Each sign must have a light sensing device to automatically adjust brightness as ambient light conditions change

Application Requirements

• Factory Pre-set Verification: Manufacturer affidavit required verifying sign has been pre-set to comply with brightness standards
• Measurement Criteria: Specific measurement distances required based on sign size, ranging from 32 feet (for 10 square foot signs) to 173 feet (for 300 square foot signs)

Electronic Message Unit Requirements

• Display Time: Display must remain on for minimum of ten seconds
• Community Service Districts: Signs should use only monochromatic, amber or red text on black background
• Placement: Should not have direct sight-lines to windows of existing residences

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Construction and Excavation Sites

• Signal Lanterns: Required at excavations in streets, alleys, or public grounds
• Night Visibility: Must be kept lighted from dusk until daylight
• Temporary Construction Floodlights: May be approved by Zoning Inspector at heights exceeding 20 feet if designed to prevent glare and light trespass

Commercial Establishments

• Club Premises: Minimum illumination level of 10 foot-candles at floor level
• Adult Entertainment Venues: Minimum illumination level of 5.0 foot-candles at floor level, including viewing booths and restrooms
• Exterior Premises: Must provide adequate lighting to prohibit loitering

Wind Turbines

• Illumination Prohibited: Wind turbines shall not be illuminated except as required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other applicable authority

Supporting Canton's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, shares Canton's commitment to preserving historic character while embracing modern lighting technology. With over a century of experience in the region, we understand the unique architectural heritage that makes Canton special.

Our team appreciates Canton's efforts to balance safety and functionality with aesthetic preservation through thoughtful lighting regulations. As a company based in Northeast Ohio, we're familiar with the diverse architectural styles present in Canton and the importance of lighting solutions that complement these historic elements.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations. We're committed to sustainable and responsible lighting practices that align with Canton's vision of maintaining its distinctive character while providing modern illumination solutions.

Our experience with projects that respect community character and local regulations positions us as a knowledgeable partner in preserving what makes Canton unique while meeting contemporary lighting needs.

Compliance and Planning

Photometric Plans

Property owners providing more than 20 parking spaces must submit photometric plans to ensure lighting compliance.

Security Lighting

• Vacant Properties: Owners may be required to implement security lighting plans to prevent vandalism and other crimes
• Non-essential Lighting: All non-essential lighting for security purposes should be turned off after hours

Utility Installation

All utilities, including electrical power lines for lighting, must be installed underground in certain development contexts.

Conclusion

Canton's lighting regulations seek to preserve the city's historic character while ensuring safety, visibility, and aesthetic harmony. By understanding and following these requirements, property owners contribute to maintaining Canton's unique urban fabric while providing appropriate illumination.

The balance between modern lighting needs and historic preservation reflects Canton's broader approach to urban development—honoring its rich architectural heritage while embracing practical solutions for contemporary life.