Lighting Regulations in Cedar Hills, Utah: Balancing Community Character with Effective Illumination

Introduction

Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, Cedar Hills, Utah stands as a testament to thoughtful community planning. Though a relatively young city—incorporated in 1976—Cedar Hills has developed a clear vision for maintaining its suburban character while preserving the natural beauty that surrounds it.

With approximately 10,000 residents, this growing community in Utah County has implemented lighting regulations that reflect its commitment to environmental stewardship and quality of life. These regulations aim to minimize light pollution, preserve night sky visibility, and maintain the aesthetic appeal of the area.

The city's approach to lighting reflects its broader values: a balance between residential development and natural environment preservation, with particular attention to the scenic views that make Cedar Hills special.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

• Residential Lighting: Lighting must not produce glare discernible outside dwellings or interfere with adjacent properties • Commercial Properties: Lighting levels must diminish to zero foot-candles at property lines • Parking Lots: Maximum pole height of 20 feet; fixtures must be night sky friendly • Pole-Mounted Lighting Heights:

• 30 feet maximum along 4800 West and Cedar Hills Drive
• 20 feet maximum in interior commercial developments
• 15 feet maximum in residential areas

• Minimum Illumination: Business premises require at least one foot-candle measured at floor level • Prohibited Lighting: Searchlights, laser source lights, strobe/flashing lights, and high-intensity lights

Residential Lighting Requirements

Home Occupation Considerations

For residents operating businesses from their homes, Cedar Hills has specific lighting regulations to maintain neighborhood tranquility. Home occupation lighting must not produce glare or light that is readily discernible outside the dwelling or that interferes with the residential use of adjacent properties.

Residential External Lighting

Spotlights are permitted for single-family residential properties with two important conditions: • They must be fully shielded • They must be directed downward

This ensures adequate security and visibility while protecting neighbors from unwanted light intrusion.

Small Decorative Systems

Small systems less than seven square feet that use direct current solely for decorative purposes, yard lighting, or security are exempt from certain permit requirements and restrictions.

Commercial and Business Lighting Standards

General Commercial Requirements

Cedar Hills places considerable emphasis on commercial lighting that enhances the community's character while providing necessary illumination. The city requires:

• Lighting that creates a commercial district of higher quality than typical suburban strip malls • No glare visible to occupants of residential uses • Lighting levels that diminish to zero foot-candles at property lines

Business Premises with Patron Access

Businesses with patrons on premises must maintain: • Overhead lighting fixtures of sufficient intensity to illuminate all patron-accessible areas • Minimum illumination of one foot-candle measured at floor level • Continuous maintenance of this illumination when patrons are present

Businesses Excluding Minors

For establishments that exclude minors from the entire premises, all windows, doors, and other apertures must be darkened or constructed to prevent anyone outside from seeing inside.

Outdoor and Street Lighting

Street Lighting Philosophy

Cedar Hills approaches street lighting with intention, aiming to: • Provide efficient and practical lighting • Maintain the city's rural character • Create an attractive, crime-free environment • Protect residents from light pollution

Developer Responsibilities

Developers in Cedar Hills are responsible for: • Paying for all outdoor street lighting fixtures • Installing power into new subdivisions • Following city requirements for streetlight installation • Gaining approval for distance, location, type, height, and illumination intensity

Parking Lot Standards

Parking lots require thoughtful lighting design with: • Attractive poles and fixtures that contrast with nearby streetlights • Night sky friendly fixtures that limit uplighting • Pole heights not exceeding 20 feet • More fixtures at lower heights rather than fewer fixtures at greater heights • LED lamps encouraged for energy efficiency

Special Lighting Applications

Landscape and Architectural Lighting

With planning director approval, Cedar Hills allows: • Ground-mounted lighting to accent unique building features or landscaping • Architectural lighting using full cutoff fixtures with illumination directed downward

Wall and Pole Mounted Lighting

The city has established clear height restrictions: • Wall-mounted lighting: Not higher than 20 feet on any structure • Pole-mounted lighting:

• Maximum 30 feet along 4800 West and Cedar Hills Drive
• Maximum 20 feet in interior commercial developments
• Maximum 15 feet in residential areas

Electronic Displays and Signs

Electronic displays must follow specific illumination rules: • No animation, video, flashing, strobing, or color changes • Each message illuminated for at least 8 seconds before transitioning • Operation prohibited between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM

Specialized Facilities

Wireless Facilities and Towers

Lighting for specialized structures follows stringent guidelines:

• Wind turbines: No illumination unless required by FAA; when required, must reduce effects on birds • Personal wireless facilities:

• Lighting only for minimum security, safety, or FAA requirements
• Must avoid glare and minimize illumination on adjacent properties
• Must comply with applicable city lighting standards

Animal Facilities

Buildings housing animals must have sufficient light to allow for proper observation of animals and sanitation.

What Property Owners Should Know

Prohibited Lighting

Cedar Hills explicitly prohibits: • Searchlights • Laser source lights • Strobe or flashing lights • Illusion lights • Any similar high-intensity lights

Exemptions

Certain lighting is exempt from standard regulations: • Emergency lighting used by police, firefighting, or medical personnel (during emergencies only) • Seasonal decorations • Small decorative systems under 7 square feet using direct current

General Principles

When planning your property lighting, remember: • Use directional lighting fixtures • Incorporate shields or covers to prevent light pollution • Ensure lighting levels diminish to zero foot-candles at property lines • Consider the impact on neighboring properties

Supporting Cedar Hills' Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting understands the unique balance that Cedar Hills seeks to maintain between modern illumination needs and preserving its natural setting. As a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we appreciate communities that thoughtfully approach lighting design to protect their distinctive character.

We share Cedar Hills' commitment to minimizing light pollution while ensuring safety and functionality. Our experience with night sky friendly fixtures and directional lighting aligns with the city's vision for responsible illumination that respects both residential tranquility and the majestic mountain backdrop that defines the community.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations, helping translate technical requirements into practical solutions that enhance community character rather than detract from it. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs enables us to support communities like Cedar Hills in maintaining their unique identity.

Conclusion

Cedar Hills' lighting regulations reflect its commitment to preserving the natural beauty of its setting while providing safe, functional illumination for residents and businesses. By establishing clear standards for different types of lighting applications, the city ensures that development enhances rather than detracts from community character.

Property owners and developers who understand and follow these regulations contribute to Cedar Hills' vision of a suburban environment that remains connected to its natural surroundings. These thoughtful approaches to lighting help maintain the quality of life that attracts residents to this picturesque Utah community.

Remember that lighting regulations may be updated periodically, so it's always advisable to check with the Cedar Hills planning department for the most current requirements before undertaking any significant lighting installation or modification.