Lighting Regulations in Franklin, North Carolina: Preserving Historic Character While Ensuring Safety and Functionality

Introduction

Franklin, North Carolina, with its rich historical background dating back to the late 18th century, carefully balances modern development needs with preservation of its unique character and charm. The town's approach to lighting regulations reflects this balance – implementing practical safety standards while respecting the community's architectural heritage and natural beauty.

These lighting regulations serve multiple purposes: preventing light pollution, minimizing disruption to neighboring properties, ensuring safety in public spaces, and maintaining the town's historical aesthetic. Understanding these requirements is essential for property owners, businesses, and developers in Franklin.

Let's explore the key lighting regulations that help protect Franklin's distinctive character while allowing for necessary illumination.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

• Glare Prevention: Lighting must not cause glare to pedestrians or vehicular traffic
• Direction Control: Outdoor fixtures must direct light away from roadways and adjacent properties
• Shielding Requirements: Lighting should generally be downward directed or shielded to protect the night sky
• Permit Requirements: Lights cannot be affixed to town trees or streetlights without a town permit
• Neighborhood Compatibility: Lighting must not be objectionable to surrounding residences
• Safety Considerations: Community spaces require lighting fixtures that provide for safety and visual effects

General Lighting Principles

Minimizing Light Trespass

Franklin's regulations consistently emphasize the importance of preventing light from spilling onto neighboring properties. This consideration reflects the town's commitment to being a good neighbor and preserving the peaceful character of residential areas.

Key requirements include:

• Outdoor lighting fixtures must be designed and located to prevent light from shining directly on vehicular traffic or adjoining property
• Lighting facilities must be aimed, directed, shielded or arranged to prevent undue glare on neighboring properties
• Lighting must not interfere with the safe use of public rights-of-way

Protecting the Night Sky

The regulations also demonstrate Franklin's commitment to dark sky principles, which help preserve the visibility of stars and reduce overall light pollution.

• Downlighting Emphasis: Lighting should generally be downward directed
• Shielding Requirements: Fixtures should be shielded to help protect the night sky
• Minimalist Approach: For specific uses like adaptive reuse, lighting should be "no more than is necessary for safe use"

Community Aesthetics

The regulations acknowledge lighting's role in enhancing the visual character of Franklin while preventing negative impacts.

• Lighting is specifically mentioned as a tool to "improve the visual quality of the town"
• Regulations aim to "minimize potential negative impacts of development such as glare of lights"
• Common spaces should include "lighting fixtures which provide for safety and visual effects"

Requirements for Specific Uses and Areas

Residential Lighting Standards

Residential properties have specific lighting requirements that focus on basic functionality and safety.

• Every dwelling and dwelling unit must be wired for electric lights
• Every habitable room requires at least two electric convenience receptacles
• Bathrooms, water closets, laundry rooms and furnace rooms require at least one ceiling or wall light fixture
• Public halls and stairways in multiple dwellings must be adequately lit when natural daylight is insufficient

Commercial and Mixed-Use Properties

The Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU) Zoning District has specific lighting requirements:

• Outdoor lighting fixtures must be designed and located to prevent light from shining directly on vehicular traffic or adjoining property
• Site lighting must be directed away from roadways and adjacent properties
• Lighting must not interfere with the safe use of public rights-of-way

Special Use Considerations

Adaptive Reuse Projects

• Lighting should be no more than necessary for safe use of the facility
• Must be directed away from roadways and adjacent properties

Animal Facilities

• Indoor housing for animals requires sufficient lighting to permit routine inspection and cleaning at any time
• Areas with sinks and toilets must have adequate lighting for animal caretaker hygiene

Utility Facilities

• Control houses, pump stations and similar facilities must have shielded lighting to prevent spillover onto adjacent residential properties

Golf Driving Ranges

• Lighting must be designed and installed to direct light away from roadways and adjacent residential properties
• Must not interfere with safe use of public rights-of-way

Sign Lighting Regulations

General Sign Illumination Standards

Franklin's sign regulations include detailed lighting requirements that balance visibility with neighborhood compatibility.

• Signs shall not be illuminated except internally or by one light bulb per sign face not exceeding 150 watts
• No illuminated sign can operate with only partial illumination
• Illumination must be by steady, stationary light of reasonable intensity
• Light must be shielded and directed solely at the sign
• External light sources must be shielded from residential buildings and streets

Electronic Signs

Electronic Changing Message Signs (ECMS) have specific lighting restrictions:

• Automatic Adjustment: Must be equipped with control systems that adjust light emission to ambient conditions
• Maximum Brightness Levels:
• 500 NITS (candelas per square meter) between sunset and sunrise
• 5,000 NITS during daytime hours
• Additional Restrictions:
• Light levels must be further reduced if producing glare or excessive brightness
• Focused light must be aimed away from traffic and residential occupancies
• In residential districts, electronic signs can only operate between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Specific Sign Types

Different types of signs have varying illumination permissions:

• Home Occupation Signs: One non-illuminated sign permitted, not exceeding six square feet
• Private Information Signs: May be directly or internally illuminated with lighting limited to the sign face
• Residential Identification Signs: Only indirectly illuminated or non-illuminated

Telecommunications Facilities

Telecommunications towers and facilities have their own lighting restrictions:

• Applicants must analyze if the tower requires lighting under Federal Aviation Administration regulations
• Towers should not exceed heights that would require artificial lighting
• Facilities should not be artificially lit except as required by law
• If lighting is required, it must be as unobtrusive as possible and shielded from ground view

Planning and Development Requirements

Franklin's regulations include documentation requirements related to lighting:

• Site lighting plans must be submitted with certain applications
• Conceptual plans must show location of outdoor lighting "where appropriate"
• Project infrastructure planning includes street lighting considerations
• Neighborhood codes must address lighting configurations

Infrastructure Requirements

When developing new projects in Franklin:

• Street lighting is considered essential project infrastructure
• Developers may need to provide construction bonds covering lighting installation
• Bond amounts typically equal 125% of estimated installation costs

Supporting Franklin's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares Franklin's commitment to preserving historical character while embracing modern lighting technology. We understand the importance of balancing safety and functionality with aesthetic considerations that respect Franklin's rich heritage.

Our experience with communities similar to Franklin has given us insight into how lighting can enhance historical areas while meeting modern requirements. We appreciate Franklin's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations that protect its unique character, from the town's connection to the former State of Franklin to its Scottish heritage and Civil War history.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations, offering guidance on downlighting techniques, appropriate shielding, and fixtures that complement historical aesthetics. As a regional manufacturer, we understand the architectural styles prominent in communities like Franklin and how proper lighting can enhance rather than detract from these distinctive elements.

Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Franklin's vision for preserving both its historical charm and natural beauty for future generations.

Conclusion

Franklin's lighting regulations demonstrate a careful balance between modern safety needs and respect for the town's historical character. By focusing on minimizing light trespass, preventing glare, and requiring appropriate lighting for different contexts, these regulations help maintain Franklin's unique charm while ensuring adequately lit public spaces.

Property owners should pay particular attention to requirements for directing light away from neighboring properties, using appropriate shielding, and following specific guidelines for sign illumination. By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to preserving Franklin's distinctive character while creating safe, functional, and visually appealing environments.

For specific projects, we recommend consulting with the Franklin Planning Department to ensure full compliance with all current regulations.