Lighting Regulations in Manhattan, Montana: Preserving Rural Character While Ensuring Safety

Introduction

Nestled in the Gallatin Valley with roots dating back to the late 1800s, Manhattan, Montana, has evolved from its early days as a settlement influenced by the Manhattan Malting Company to the charming agricultural community it is today. The town's Dutch heritage, agricultural productivity (particularly in seed potatoes), and commitment to preserving its historical sites showcase a community that values both its past and its future.

Manhattan's lighting regulations reflect this careful balance between honoring rural heritage and meeting modern needs. These standards aim to maintain the town's scenic beauty, protect its starry night skies, and ensure safety while preventing unnecessary light pollution.

Quick Reference Guide to Manhattan's Lighting Regulations

• General outdoor lighting must prevent over-lighting, energy waste, glare, light trespass, and sky glow • Commercial lighting must be on timers and turned off after business hours • Parking lots require 1.0 foot-candle average illumination with 0.75 foot-candle minimum • Maximum heights: 17 feet for parking areas, 15 feet for residential areas (with distance calculations) • Fixture requirements: 85° full cutoff luminaries for area lights, downcast and fully shielded fixtures • Light trespass prevention required for all lighting installations • Special provisions exist for specific uses including playing fields, flags, and business districts

General Outdoor Lighting Standards

Core Requirements

Manhattan's outdoor lighting standards focus on preventing light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety. These standards apply to both residential and commercial properties.

All exterior lighting must be designed and positioned to prevent: • Over-lighting • Energy waste • Glare • Light trespass onto neighboring properties • Sky glow that diminishes night sky visibility

Operation Requirements

The town requires thoughtful operation of lighting systems:

• Commercial properties must use timers for all exterior lighting • Non-essential lighting must be turned off after business hours • Security lighting should use sensor activation • Canopy lights (such as at service stations) must be fully recessed or shielded

Technical Specifications for Lighting Fixtures

Fixture Types and Shielding

Manhattan's code is specific about the types of fixtures permitted:

• Standard requirement: Full cutoff luminaries with downcast, fully shielded light sources • All area lights must be 85° full cutoff type luminaries • Small fixtures (400 lumens or less) may be unshielded if they have an opaque top • Medium fixtures (1,000 lumens or less) may be partially shielded if the lamp isn't visible

Height Restrictions

The town carefully regulates how tall lighting fixtures can be:

• Parking area lights: Maximum 17 feet from ground to highest point • Residential zones: Height must not exceed H=(D/3)+3, where D is distance to nearest property boundary • Residential maximum: 15 feet regardless of calculation • Arterial road streetlights: May exceed 20 feet only with town council approval based on safety needs • Playing fields: Exempt from height restrictions while in use

Illumination Levels and Light Trespass

Specific Light Level Requirements

Manhattan has established precise illumination standards:

• Parking lots:

• Must maintain 1.0 foot-candle average with 0.75 foot-candle minimum
• May not exceed 1.5 foot-candles overall average illumination
• Must maintain a uniformity ratio not greater than 4:1

• Adult-oriented businesses:

• Interior spaces must maintain minimum 5.0 foot-lumins measured at floor level

Preventing Light Trespass

The regulations emphasize preventing light from affecting neighboring properties:

• Cutoff fixtures required to prevent light spillage onto adjoining properties • Parking area lighting must not face any residential property • Sensor-activated lights must be positioned to prevent glare onto other properties • All exterior lighting must protect adjacent properties from glare and excessive lighting

Special Use Lighting Provisions

Flag Illumination

Manhattan permits upward lighting only in specific circumstances:

• Government flags only may use upward lighting • Maximum output: 1,300 lumens • Recommendation: Flags should be taken down at sunset to avoid the need for lighting

District-Specific Provisions

Different districts have varying requirements:

• Central Business District: Permitted to use unshielded tube lighting that parallels building perimeters • Agricultural District: Both internally and externally illuminated signs permitted • Rural Residential District: Internally illuminated signs are prohibited

Special Cases

• Radio/communication towers: Special lighting allowed only when FAA regulations require it • Playing fields: Exempt from height restrictions but only while the field is in use • Floodlights: Must use photocells with timers that turn off by 11:00 PM

Street Lighting Standards

Manhattan has established specific requirements for streetlights:

• Permitted technologies: High pressure sodium, low pressure sodium, or metal halide • Residential streets: Limited to 70-watt high pressure sodium (6,400 lumens) • Non-residential streets: Limited to 100-watt high pressure sodium (9,500 lumens) • Major intersections on state highways: Limited to 200-watt high pressure sodium

The town encourages parking area lights to be greater in number, lower in height, and lower in light level, rather than fewer, higher, and brighter fixtures.

What Property Owners Should Know

Documentation Requirements

When applying for permits, property owners must provide:

• Lighting plans showing location, type, height, lumen output, and illuminance levels • City engineer review is required for all new exterior lighting • Special application for other exterior lights showing location, type, height, lumen output

Common Violations to Avoid

Property owners should be particularly careful about:

• Light trespass onto neighboring properties • Unshielded fixtures that cause glare • Excessive illumination beyond code requirements • Improper disposal of fluorescent tubes and mercury vapor lamps (must be buried in authorized disposal areas, never burned)

Supporting Manhattan's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting shares Manhattan's commitment to balancing modern lighting needs with preservation of community character. As a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we understand the importance of maintaining the distinct identity that makes communities like Manhattan special.

Our team appreciates Manhattan's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations that protect the town's rural character and agricultural heritage while ensuring safety and functionality. The careful attention to preventing light pollution preserves the spectacular Montana night skies that are part of what makes this region special.

We're committed to serving as an educational resource for communities like Manhattan, helping residents and businesses understand how to implement lighting solutions that comply with local regulations while enhancing property values. Our experience with projects that respect community character makes us a valuable partner in maintaining the balance between modern convenience and historical preservation.

Conclusion

Manhattan, Montana's lighting regulations reflect the town's commitment to preserving its rural character and agricultural heritage while ensuring safety and functionality. By limiting light pollution, preventing light trespass, and establishing clear standards for fixture types and illumination levels, the town maintains its quality of life for residents and businesses alike.

Understanding and following these regulations helps property owners contribute to Manhattan's vision of a community that honors its history while embracing appropriate modern development. Whether you're planning a new construction project, renovating an existing property, or simply replacing outdoor fixtures, keeping these lighting standards in mind will help ensure compliance and support the town's aesthetic goals.