Lighting Regulations in Harrah, Oklahoma: Preserving Small-Town Charm While Ensuring Safety and Comfort

Introduction

Nestled between Oklahoma City and Shawnee, Harrah, Oklahoma has maintained its distinct small-town charm since its founding in the late 19th century. With roots dating back to 1889 when Louis Navarre first settled in the area, Harrah has grown while carefully balancing development with preservation of its historical character.

The city's lighting regulations reflect this balanced approach—ensuring safety and functionality while respecting the community's heritage and natural surroundings. From the North Canadian River Valley (a winter nesting site for bald eagles) to the historical downtown area, Harrah's lighting guidelines aim to minimize light pollution while providing adequate illumination for residents and businesses.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into specifics, here's a quick overview of Harrah's most important lighting regulations:

• General Outdoor Lighting: Must not interfere with adjacent land uses or streets
• Commercial Properties: Lighting must not create annoying glare toward adjoining properties
• Sign Illumination: Maximum 30 foot-candles per square foot for signs extending over public property
• Residential Impact: Light must not create a public nuisance or interfere with reasonable enjoyment of life and property
• Commercial Storage: Lights must be at least 20 feet from residential property lines
• Industrial Areas: Glare must be completely confined within buildings

General Outdoor Lighting Requirements

Basic Standards

Harrah's code establishes fundamental principles for outdoor lighting throughout the city. The primary requirement is simple but important:

• Outdoor lighting "shall have an arrangement of reflectors and an intensity of lighting which will not interfere with adjacent land uses or the use of adjacent streets"
• Prohibited lighting types: Flashing or intermittent outdoor lighting is not permitted

Development Planning

For new developments, lighting considerations are integrated into the planning process:

• Site plans must include information about the "location of exterior lighting"
• For Planned Unit Developments (PUDs), a description of lighting for the development is required as part of the application

Residential Considerations

In residential areas, the city places particular emphasis on minimizing lighting impacts:

• For home occupations, no equipment or process shall create glare that is "detectable to the normal senses off the lot"
• This ensures home-based businesses don't negatively impact neighbors with excessive lighting

Commercial and Industrial Lighting Guidelines

Commercial Properties

Commercial properties must adhere to specific guidelines to minimize light impact:

• In commercial districts, lighting should not interfere with residential uses
• Only "nonintermittent white lighting" is permitted
• For commercial storage facilities in C-2 and C-3 districts:
• Lights must be placed at least 20 feet from any property line adjoining residential districts
• All lighting must be directed to prevent annoying glare toward adjoining properties

Industrial Districts

In industrial zones, the regulations focus on containing light within property boundaries:

• In the I-1 Restricted Manufacturing and Warehousing District, "glare of each operation is completely confined within an enclosed building"
• This requirement helps protect surrounding areas from industrial light pollution

Specialized Lighting Requirements

Medical Marijuana Facilities

Harrah has specific regulations for medical marijuana operations:

• Growing facilities must be constructed so that marijuana plants cannot be seen by the public from the public right of way
• A public nuisance may exist if marijuana operations produce "light, glare...that is detrimental to public health, safety or welfare or interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of life and property"

Tower Lighting

For towers within the city:

• Towers shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA or other applicable authority
• If lighting is required, authorities will "review the available lighting alternatives and approve the design that would cause the least disturbance to the surrounding views"
• No signals or warning lights are permitted on towers unless required by municipal, state, or federal agencies

Street Lighting in Planned Developments

For planned unit developments (PUDs):

• Street lights are required within the development
• These lights are private, with maintenance being the responsibility of the property owner, developer, or homeowners' association

Sign Illumination Standards

General Sign Lighting

Harrah has detailed regulations for illuminated signs:

• Gooseneck lights are permitted on ground signs, roof signs, and wall signs
• These lights must "concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign" to prevent glare on streets or adjacent properties
• Internally illuminated signs are permitted
• Temporary signs of flashing or intermittently lighted types are prohibited

Maximum Illumination Levels

For signs extending over public property:

• Maximum illumination allowed is 30 foot-candles per square foot
• This applies to both projecting illuminated signs and other signs over public property

Sign Construction Requirements

Additional requirements for illuminated signs include:

• Every sign must have "painted in a conspicuous place" the date of erection, name of installer, and voltage of any electrical apparatus
• Signs constructed on street lines or within five feet thereof must have a smooth surface

Airport Considerations

Signs must not interfere with air traffic by:

• Making it difficult for pilots to distinguish between airport lights and others
• Creating glare in the eyes of flyers using the airport

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning Your Lighting

When installing or updating exterior lighting on your property:

• Consider neighbors: Ensure your lighting doesn't create a nuisance or annoying glare
• Choose appropriate fixtures: Select lighting that directs illumination where needed without spillover
• Check placement: For commercial properties near residential areas, maintain required distance from property lines
• Select compliant colors: Non-intermittent white lighting is specified in certain areas

Avoiding Common Violations

The most frequent lighting violations in Harrah involve:

• Excessive glare affecting neighboring properties
• Flashing or intermittent lighting that's prohibited in outdoor applications
• Improperly directed lighting that spills onto adjacent properties
• Signs exceeding maximum illumination levels of 30 foot-candles

Supporting Harrah's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting understands and appreciates Harrah's commitment to preserving its small-town charm while ensuring adequate lighting for safety and functionality. As a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we share Harrah's appreciation for balancing historical character with modern needs.

Our experience working with communities like Harrah has given us insight into how lighting can enhance community character while respecting local regulations. We understand the importance of minimizing light pollution in areas like the North Canadian River Valley, where wildlife such as nesting bald eagles depends on natural dark cycles.

We believe in supporting communities through education about lighting best practices that align with local regulations. By understanding Harrah's specific requirements for commercial, residential, and industrial lighting, we can help property owners create lighting solutions that enhance safety while preserving the community's distinctive character.

Conclusion

Harrah's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to maintaining its small-town atmosphere while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses. By focusing on preventing nuisance lighting, controlling glare, and setting appropriate illumination standards, these regulations help preserve the quality of life that makes Harrah special.

Property owners play an essential role in maintaining the city's character through thoughtful lighting choices. By understanding and following these regulations, each resident and business contributes to Harrah's continued balance of development and preservation that has characterized the community since its founding in the late 19th century.