Lighting Regulations in Dyer, Indiana: Balancing Safety, Aesthetics, and Historical Character

Introduction

Established in 1855, Dyer, Indiana has evolved from marshy farmland to a thriving community while maintaining its historical roots. Aaron Norton Hart, an early settler from Philadelphia, helped transform the area through infrastructure development, including roads and drainage systems. As the town grew, particularly with the arrival of the Michigan Central Railroad in 1857, Dyer's architectural character began to take shape.

Today, the town's approach to exterior lighting reflects its commitment to preserving community character while ensuring safety and functionality. The comprehensive lighting regulations found in Dyer's building code strike a balance between modern needs and historical aesthetics, with a focus on reducing glare, light trespass, and sky glow while maintaining adequate illumination for safety and commerce.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

General Requirements:

• Full cut-off fixtures required for most commercial and industrial applications
• Minimum business hours illumination: 0.4 footcandles
• Maximum illumination ratio: 15:1 (maximum to minimum)
• Maximum light trespass: 0.05 footcandles at residential boundaries, 0.1 footcandles at commercial boundaries
• Fixture mounting height limit: Generally 30 feet maximum
• Energy conservation: Timers, dimmers, or sensors required to reduce consumption

Special Applications:

• Parking lots: Full cut-off fixtures required, 0.4 footcandles minimum
• Gasoline station canopies: Maximum 22.0 footcandles average illumination
• Walkways/bikeways: Between 0.4 and 4.0 footcandles average illumination
• Sexually oriented businesses: Minimum 2.0 footcandles interior illumination

Understanding Fixture Types and Light Control

Full Cut-Off Fixtures

Dyer's regulations place significant emphasis on the use of full cut-off (FCO) fixtures. These are defined as fixtures that:

• Cut off all upward transmission of light
• Prevent light from being cast beyond property lines
• Direct illumination downward rather than outward or upward

This requirement helps reduce sky glow and light pollution while ensuring that light is focused where it's needed.

Light Trespass Limitations

The code establishes strict limits on light trespass—light projected onto a property from a fixture not located on that property:

• For residential boundaries: Maximum 0.05 horizontal footcandles and 0.05 vertical footcandles measured up to 5 feet inside the property line
• For commercial boundaries: Maximum 0.1 horizontal footcandles and 0.1 vertical footcandles measured up to 5 feet inside the property line

Bulb and Fixture Requirements

Different requirements apply based on the lumen output of lighting fixtures:

• 600-1,200 lumens: Frosted glass or translucent cover required
• Above 1,200 lumens: Full cut-off fixture required
• Spotlights under 1,800 lumens: Exempt from full cut-off requirement if properly aimed, pointed 45 degrees below horizontal, and motion-activated (cycling off after 5 minutes)

Area-Specific Lighting Requirements

Parking Lot Lighting

Parking areas have specific requirements to ensure safety while preventing excessive illumination:

• Full cut-off fixtures required
• Mounting height limit: 30 feet from grade to glass pane
• Minimum illumination: 0.4 footcandles during business hours
• Maximum ratio: 15:1 ratio of maximum to minimum illumination

Gasoline Stations and Canopies

Gas stations receive special attention in the code:

• Average illumination limit: 22.0 footcandles under canopies
• Fixture placement: Recessed or flush with the bottom surface of the canopy
• Light restraint: Light must be restrained to no more than 85° beyond vertical
• Prohibited: Lights mounted on top or sides of canopies
• Compliance trigger: Requirements apply to existing stations upon remodeling

Building and Landscape Lighting

When illuminating buildings or landscaping:

• Fixture direction: Must be aimed and shielded to direct light only onto the intended surface
• Landscape lighting plans: Must be submitted for review showing purpose, fixture locations, and items to be illuminated
• Vertical illumination: Must direct light below the horizontal plane

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning and Permits

Before installing exterior lighting on commercial, industrial, or institutional properties:

• An exterior lighting plan must be submitted and approved
• The plan must show all fixture locations with illumination readings at 10-foot intervals
• Readings must extend to a point 5 feet beyond all property lines
• Specifications for all fixtures, including photometric data, must be included

After-Hours Requirements

The code provides specific guidance for after-hours lighting:

• At close of business, all outdoor lighting must be reduced by shutting off half of the lighting sources
• Non-conforming existing lighting must be reduced to levels no greater than those specified for parking lot lighting

Exemptions

Several situations are exempt from the full requirements:

• Temporary lighting for public festivals, celebrations, and holidays (though consideration of light trespass is still required)
• Street lighting owned or maintained by the Town of Dyer (in the interest of public safety)
• Lighting installed prior to the adoption of the ordinance (with conditions)

Supporting Dyer's Lighting Vision

At Bock Lighting, we understand Dyer's commitment to balancing modern infrastructure needs with preservation of historical character. With roots dating back to 1918, our company appreciates how communities like Dyer seek to maintain their distinctive identity through thoughtful regulations.

Our experience with communities throughout the Midwest has given us insight into the challenges of implementing lighting solutions that meet technical requirements while respecting a town's architectural heritage. We recognize that Dyer's lighting regulations reflect the community's values—reducing light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and commerce.

As lighting professionals familiar with regional architectural styles and community needs, we're committed to helping property owners understand and implement solutions that comply with local regulations while enhancing the town's aesthetic appeal. Our approach focuses on education and partnership rather than simply providing products.

Conclusion

Dyer's comprehensive lighting regulations reflect the town's thoughtful approach to growth and development. By establishing clear standards for exterior lighting, the town balances the needs for safety and commerce with the desire to preserve its character and reduce light pollution.

Property owners planning exterior lighting projects should consult the full text of the ordinance (Sections 10-148 through 10-148.9 of the Dyer code) and work with qualified lighting professionals who understand these requirements. Through proper planning and implementation, lighting can enhance both safety and aesthetics while preserving the historical character that makes Dyer special.