Lighting Regulations in Greenville, Indiana: Preserving Historic Character While Ensuring Safety

Introduction

Nestled in southern Indiana, the small town of Greenville has carefully balanced preserving its historic charm with meeting modern needs since its founding in 1816. With notable landmarks like the Station—the oldest commercial building in town built in 1840 by founder John Baptiste Ford—and the Jersey Park Farm, a Federal-style farmhouse from around 1875 listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Greenville takes its architectural heritage seriously.

This commitment to historical preservation extends to the town's approach to lighting regulations. Covering just 0.78 square miles and home to under 600 residents, Greenville's tight-knit community has established specific lighting standards that respect the town's character while ensuring safety and functionality.

Quick Reference Guide

Key Lighting Requirements in Greenville:

• Security Lighting: Must not shine into adjacent occupied buildings or cause glare for vehicles
• Tattoo/Body Piercing Establishments: Require 100 foot-candles of light at service areas
• Sexually Oriented Businesses: Minimum 5 foot-candles of interior lighting at floor level
• Signage: Prohibited from using flashing, intermittent, or moving lights (with exceptions)
• Exterior Monitoring: Some businesses must provide adequate exterior lighting for safety
• Enforcement: Town Marshal's Department investigates lighting complaints

Security Lighting Regulations

Preventing Light Trespass

Greenville's regulations specifically address the issue of light trespass—unwanted light that spills onto neighboring properties. Section 150.04 of the town code clearly states that security lighting must not:

• Shine in a spotlight-type manner that illuminates the interior of adjacent occupied buildings
• Create glare that could affect vehicles traveling on nearby roads

These provisions help maintain privacy between neighbors while ensuring security measures don't create hazardous conditions for drivers.

Enforcement Procedures

When lighting violations occur, Greenville follows a specific process:

• The Town Marshal's Department investigates all complaints
• Property owners receive written notice when violations are identified
• Owners have 10 days to correct lighting issues after notification
• Notices may be delivered in person or via registered/certified mail

This approach gives property owners a reasonable timeframe to address problems while ensuring that violations are properly documented and resolved.

Business-Specific Lighting Requirements

Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishments

Health and safety considerations drive specialized lighting requirements for these businesses:

• Minimum illumination of 100 foot-candles must be available at the level where tattooing or body piercing is conducted
• This high level of illumination ensures precise work and proper sanitation

Sexually Oriented Businesses

Greenville's code contains specific lighting provisions for sexually oriented businesses focused on safety and monitoring:

Interior Lighting

• Interior premises must have overhead lighting fixtures providing not less than 5 foot-candles of illumination measured at floor level
• Operators and employees must maintain this illumination whenever patrons are present

Exterior Requirements

• Exterior premises must be sufficiently lit to allow for visual inspection or video monitoring to prevent loitering
• If video monitoring is used, cameras must operate continuously during business hours
• Well-lit entry areas must contain conspicuous signage with required notices

Documentation

• License applications must include diagrams showing the location of all overhead lighting fixtures

Signage Illumination

Prohibited Lighting Types

To maintain the town's aesthetic character and prevent distractions, Greenville prohibits:

• Signs with flashing, intermittent, or moving lights
• Signs using evolving technologies such as glow cubes, rotating slats, or moving reflective discs

Permitted Exceptions

Certain illuminated signs are allowed despite these restrictions:

• Signs providing public service information, including:
• Time
• Date
• Temperature
• Weather information
• Similar informational content

Building Habitability Standards

Adequate lighting isn't just about aesthetics—it's considered essential for health and safety in Greenville. Town regulations note that dwellings can be deemed unfit for human habitation due to:

• Inadequate maintenance
• Dilapidation
• Decay
• Faulty construction
• Inadequate light
• Poor air circulation or sanitation

When these conditions exist, the County Health Department may determine a structure to be unsanitary or unfit for habitation.

Supporting Greenville's Lighting Vision

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands and appreciates communities like Greenville that work to preserve their historical character while meeting modern needs.

Bock shares Greenville's commitment to balancing:

• Historic preservation with contemporary functionality
• Community safety with aesthetic considerations
• Environmental responsibility with practical lighting solutions

Our experience with regional architectural styles and lighting needs enables us to serve as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations. We understand the unique challenges faced by communities working to maintain their distinctive small-town character while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Bock Lighting appreciates Greenville's deliberate approach to development and preservation—a philosophy that aligns with our own commitment to thoughtful, community-appropriate lighting design.

What Property Owners Should Know

Navigating Compliance

If you're a Greenville property owner, here are practical tips for lighting compliance:

• Security lighting should be aimed and shielded to prevent light trespass
• Consider the impact of your lighting on neighbors and passing vehicles
• Be responsive if you receive complaints about your lighting setup
• Remember that you have 10 days to address violations after receiving notice

When Planning New Installations

When installing new lighting:

• Consult regulations first to avoid costly mistakes
• Consider how your lighting affects Greenville's historic character
• Focus on functionality without sacrificing community aesthetics
• Remember that adequate lighting contributes to building habitability standards

Conclusion

Greenville's lighting regulations reflect the town's commitment to preserving its historic character while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses. From security lighting restrictions that protect neighbors from light trespass to specific illumination standards for certain businesses, these regulations help maintain the small-town charm that makes Greenville special.

By understanding and complying with these guidelines, property owners and businesses can contribute to the community's vision of historical preservation while meeting modern lighting needs. As Greenville continues to balance its rich heritage with contemporary requirements, thoughtful lighting plays an important role in shaping the town's unique character and atmosphere.