Lighting Regulations in Maple Heights, Ohio: A Guide for Property Owners & Businesses

Introduction

Maple Heights, Ohio has evolved significantly since its early settlement in 1813. From its rural beginnings to its official incorporation in 1915, the city's development has been shaped by transportation infrastructure, including the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad established in 1849 and the I-480 freeway which opened in 1978.

As this inner-ring suburb of Cleveland has grown, so has the need for appropriate lighting standards to ensure safety, reduce nuisance, and maintain community character across its residential and commercial areas. These regulations reflect the city's commitment to balancing practical illumination needs with consideration for neighboring properties.

Quick Reference Guide

Most Critical Lighting Requirements:

• Exterior Lighting: Must be positioned to direct glare away from adjacent properties and rights-of-way
• Brightness Controls: Illumination should not be of "excessive brightness"
• Prohibited Features: Flickering, moving, or intermittent illumination is not permitted anywhere
• Pedestrian Lighting: Maximum height of 18 feet with 1.0 foot-candle illumination level
• Dark Sky Compliance: Pedestrian lighting must conform to International Dark-sky Association standards
• Swimming Pools: Family pools require 2-5 foot-candles of illumination for the pool and 10 feet beyond

General Exterior Lighting Requirements

Positioning & Glare Control

The Maple Heights code places significant emphasis on preventing light trespass onto neighboring properties. Key requirements include:

• Light Direction: All exterior lighting on private property must be positioned to direct glare away from adjacent properties or rights-of-way
• Nuisance Prevention: No activity on private property shall generate light that creates a nuisance to surrounding properties (as determined by the Building Commissioner)
• Shielding Requirements: Light sources must be shielded from adjoining residential districts and streets
• Intense Operations: Any operation producing intense light or heat (including high-temperature processes like combustion or welding) shall not be visible beyond property lines

Illumination Restrictions

The code also addresses the type and quality of illumination:

• Brightness Levels: Lighting "shall not be of excessive brightness" (though specific footcandle limits are not defined for general lighting)
• Movement Prohibited: Flickering, moving, or intermittent illumination is expressly prohibited in all contexts
• Consistent Illumination: Lighting must maintain stable and consistent illumination patterns

Pedestrian & Street Lighting Standards

Technical Specifications

Maple Heights has established detailed requirements for pedestrian lighting structures, defining them as:

"Pole-mounted lights in the right-of-way that primarily function to illuminate pedestrian areas such as sidewalks... part of a secondary lighting system used to supplement street lighting levels."

"Pole-mounted lights in the right-of-way that primarily function to illuminate pedestrian areas such as sidewalks... part of a secondary lighting system used to supplement street lighting levels."

Pedestrian lighting structures must:

• Height Restriction: Be a maximum of 18 feet above grade
• Illumination Level: Provide 1.0 foot-candle of illumination
• Environmental Protection: Conform to International Dark-sky Association (IDA) standards to prevent light pollution
• Aesthetic Considerations: Be decorative in nature and complement existing pedestrian lighting along Broadway Avenue
• Spacing Requirements: Be placed at equal intervals between streetlights, approximately every 25 feet of roadway
• Placement: Be installed in the Pedestrian Buffer area, not encroaching upon sidewalks when possible
• Approval Process: Be submitted to the Architectural Review Board as part of an overall street lighting plan

Street Lighting Funding

The city maintains authority to fund street lighting through:

• A tax levy for street lighting purposes not exceeding one mill for each dollar of assessed valuation on taxable property
• This can be implemented without a vote of the people

Parking Area Illumination

Timing & Operation

Maple Heights requires appropriate illumination of parking facilities:

• Operational Hours: Parking areas must be illuminated whenever public street lights are lit AND when the buildings served are in operation
• Design Requirements: Illumination must be designed so light sources are shielded from adjoining residential districts and streets
• Brightness Control: Must not be of excessive brightness
• Prohibited Features: Flickering, moving, or intermittent illumination is not permitted

Sign Illumination Guidelines

Permissible Lighting

The code provides clear parameters for illuminated signage:

• Commercial Allowance: All signs in commercial districts may be illuminated
• Shielding Requirement: Light sources (including non-flashing neon) must be shielded from all adjacent residential buildings and streets
• Safety Considerations: Brightness or intensity must not cause glare hazards to pedestrians or auto drivers
• Residential Respect: Illumination should not cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts

Prohibited Sign Lighting

The following are expressly prohibited in all zoning districts:

• Moving signs of any sort
• Flashing signs
• Intermittent or animated signs
• Revolving signs

Swimming Pool Lighting Requirements

Public Swimming Pools

Lighting for public swimming pools must meet these standards:

• Safety Standard: Must be "adequate for the protection of the public" as determined by the Building Commissioner
• Code Compliance: All lighting and wiring must follow the 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA No. 70)
• Equipment Standards: All fixtures and equipment must be listed and labeled by a recognized testing agency
• Light Direction: Lights must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining premises and public streets

Family Swimming Pools

For residential pools, more specific requirements apply:

• Illumination Level: Light levels between 2-5 foot-candles required for the pool surface and extending 10 feet from the edge
• Power Recommendation: Approximately 0.5 watt per square foot of the area to be illuminated
• Light Placement: Lights should be placed not over 10 feet above and within the limits of the area
• Code Compliance: Same electrical code requirements as public pools
• Light Direction: Must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining premises and public streets

Construction & Safety Lighting

Hazard Prevention

To ensure public safety:

• Excavation Warning: Any excavation, well, cesspool or structure under construction must be adequately protected by warning lights at night
• Protection: No person shall destroy, remove, damage, or extinguish any barricade or warning light placed for public protection
• Compliance: These requirements help prevent conditions that could prove dangerous to life or limb

Specialized Facility Lighting

Healthcare Facilities

Medical and healthcare facilities have additional requirements:

• Emergency Power: Emergency generators with automatic transfer switches must be provided for lighting in patient care areas
• Critical Areas: Emergency electrical service required for corridors, exits, procedure rooms, recovery rooms, and other critical areas
• Accessibility: Facility entrances must have adequate lighting for safe access, especially for the physically handicapped
• General Standard: Each area must have lighting "adequate for the use to be made of the location" and follow generally recognized lighting standards

Elevators

• Every elevator cab must be equipped with emergency lighting to provide adequate illumination when primary power fails

Gas Light Installation

For those interested in decorative gas lighting, Maple Heights has specific requirements:

• Installation Depth: Minimum depth for gas line is 10 inches
• Protection Requirements: Copper tubing must be protected and properly sized based on distance and load
• Safety Features: Shut-off valves and regulators required
• Inspection: All installations must be inspected by the East Ohio Gas Company with certification forwarded to the Director of Service

Supporting Maple Heights' Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, understands the unique balance Maple Heights seeks to maintain between safety, functionality, and community character.

As a regional manufacturer familiar with the architectural styles and lighting needs of Northeast Ohio communities, Bock Lighting appreciates Maple Heights' focus on preventing light pollution and nuisance while ensuring adequate illumination for safety.

Our expertise can be particularly helpful for property owners navigating requirements for pedestrian lighting along Broadway Avenue or those seeking to comply with the International Dark-sky Association standards referenced in the city code.

Bock Lighting shares Maple Heights' commitment to responsible lighting practices that respect neighboring properties while providing the illumination needed for safety and security. As a community partner, we're available as a resource to help residents and businesses understand and implement these lighting regulations.

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Essentials

If you're planning exterior lighting for your property in Maple Heights, keep these key points in mind:

• Focus on Containment: The overarching principle is to contain your light within your property boundaries
• Brightness Matters: Even if your lights don't directly shine onto neighboring properties, excessive brightness can still create violations
• Consistency Required: All lighting must maintain consistent illumination without flickering or movement
• Special Cases: Swimming pools, signs, and pedestrian areas have specific illumination requirements that differ from general lighting standards
• When in Doubt: The Building Commissioner has authority to determine if lighting creates a nuisance, so consulting with the city before installation can prevent costly corrections

Planning Your Lighting

When developing a lighting plan:

1. Consider the purpose of each light (security, aesthetics, function)
2. Evaluate potential impact on neighboring properties
3. Select fixtures with appropriate shielding
4. For commercial properties, ensure parking area lighting is sufficient but not excessive
5. For pools, ensure precise foot-candle requirements are met
6. Submit plans to appropriate authorities when required (especially for pedestrian lighting)

Conclusion

Maple Heights' lighting regulations aim to create a community where illumination serves its necessary functions without creating nuisance or hazards. While the code doesn't specify extensive technical requirements for most applications, it emphasizes the principles of containment, moderation, and neighborly consideration.

By understanding these regulations and planning accordingly, property owners can create effective lighting solutions that enhance safety and aesthetics while remaining fully compliant with city requirements.

For specific projects, particularly those in commercial areas or involving specialized lighting like pedestrian fixtures along Broadway Avenue, consulting with city officials early in the planning process can help ensure smooth approval and avoid costly modifications.