Lighting Regulations in Marshall, Illinois: Preserving Historic Character While Ensuring Safety and Functionality

Introduction: Marshall's Lighting Heritage

Marshall, Illinois, with its rich architectural legacy dating back to its establishment in 1835, represents a community where history and modernity gracefully coexist. Located along the historic National Road, Marshall has preserved its architectural heritage, particularly in its downtown commercial center with the impressive 1903 Clark County Courthouse—a landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The town's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to historical preservation while addressing modern safety and functionality needs. These regulations aren't merely bureaucratic requirements; they represent Marshall's dedication to maintaining its unique character and aesthetic continuity.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Directional Requirements: Exterior lighting must be directed away from surrounding properties and immediately downward at no less than a 90-degree angle from the light pole • Parking Areas: Lighting must prevent spillage and not create nuisances or hazards • Commercial Spaces: Licensed establishments must maintain minimum illumination of 5 footcandles at floor level • Standard Fixtures: City-provided lighting uses 175-watt mercury vapor fixtures on 25-foot wood poles • Sign Illumination: Sign lighting must not change in intervals shorter than 5 seconds • Construction Areas: Materials deposited on streets require illuminated warning lights at night

Commercial Establishment Lighting Requirements

Interior Illumination Standards

For licensed establishments serving liquor, Marshall's regulations are particularly specific. These spaces must:

• Maintain a full view of the entire interior from the street or sidewalk at all times • Avoid any booth, screen, partition, or lighting arrangement that would prevent this full view • Keep all rooms continuously lighted during business hours by either natural light or artificial white light • Provide overhead lighting fixtures with sufficient intensity to illuminate all patron areas • Maintain a minimum illumination of 5 footcandles measured at floor level whenever patrons are present

Entertainment Venue Considerations

Adult entertainment venues have additional specific requirements to ensure proper illumination for safety and compliance purposes.

Exterior Lighting Regulations

Directional Requirements

Marshall's regulations for exterior lighting focus on minimizing light pollution and neighbor disturbance:

• All exterior lighting must be directed away from surrounding properties • Lighting must be directed immediately downward at no less than a 90-degree angle from the light pole • Fixtures must comply with specifications required by site plan review regulations

Parking and Loading Areas

Property owners must ensure that parking areas are properly illuminated:

• Lighting must be appropriate for the use of the lot or loading area • Design must prevent light spillage away from the intended area • Direction must ensure lighting does not create a nuisance or hazard • Parking lots with over 40 spaces require approval from the city engineer • Site plans may require a photometric grid showing light intensity in footcandles

Special Prohibitions

Marshall's regulations explicitly prohibit certain lighting practices:

• Illumination of renewable energy systems is prohibited • Flashing signs (defined as illumination changing in intervals shorter than 5 seconds) are not permitted • Towers cannot be artificially lighted except as required by the Federal Aviation Administration

City-Provided Lighting Services

Standard Equipment and Installation

The City of Marshall offers outdoor lighting services for various properties:

• Available for homes, schools, churches, commercial areas, and security purposes • Standard equipment includes 175-watt mercury vapor lamps in luminaires • Mounted on short brackets (approximately 30 inches) with photoelectric control • Typical installation uses wood poles with approximately 25-foot ground-to-lamp height • The city handles installation, electricity, and maintenance (excluding malicious damage)

Specialized Installations

For property owners seeking custom lighting solutions:

• The city may install lights on steel, aluminum, concrete, or decorative-type poles • Underground cable installation is available at the city's discretion • Customer bears costs exceeding standard wood pole installation (payable before installation) • Special service requests require notification and approval processes

Roadway Lighting for New Developments

Installation and Maintenance

New developments in Marshall follow specific roadway lighting protocols:

• Lighting is installed by the city as part of "on-site" improvements • Systems are owned, operated, and maintained by the city • The city determines number, type, and placement of roadway lighting standards • Standard installation uses mercury vapor security luminaires on wood poles • Placement typically occurs at intersections and mid-block locations

Developer Options

Developers seeking enhanced lighting have additional options:

• Upgraded roadway lighting systems may be designed, furnished, and installed by developers • All costs above standard installation are borne by the developer • Developers must provide properly graded and staked rights-of-ways and easements • Developers are responsible for final grading and seeding after installation

Sign Illumination Guidelines

Permitted Illumination

Marshall's regulations for sign illumination balance visibility with minimizing distraction:

• Signs may be illuminated while adhering to specific guidelines • Illumination cannot change in intervals shorter than 5 seconds • Rapid changes in illumination constitute prohibited "flashing signs" • Time and temperature signs and electronic changeable copy signs are permitted • Signs must not interfere with traffic or create nuisances due to illumination

Installation Considerations

When installing illuminated signs, property owners should ensure:

• Compliance with architectural appearance requirements for the area • Appropriate placement to prevent traffic interference • Illumination levels that don't create nuisances for surrounding properties

Construction and Safety Lighting

Required Warning Lights

During construction activities:

• Building materials deposited on streets must have illuminated warning lights at night • Warning lights must be electrical markers or flashers indicating hazards to traffic • Lights must emit sufficient intensity and frequency to be visible at reasonable distances • Reflectors or reflecting materials may supplement but not replace light sources

Protecting Light Infrastructure

Marshall's code protects lighting infrastructure through prohibitions:

• It's unlawful to destroy, break, remove, or damage any streetlamp • Climbing utility poles without authorization is prohibited

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Tips

To ensure compliance with Marshall's lighting regulations:

• Plan ahead: Include lighting details in all permit applications and site plans • Consider direction: Ensure all exterior lighting is properly angled downward and away from neighbors • Measure illumination: For commercial spaces, verify foot-candle requirements are met • Maintain visibility: For licensed establishments, ensure interior spaces remain visible from outside • Request assistance: Consult with city officials when planning significant lighting changes

Permit Requirements

Different levels of changes to lighting may require specific permits:

• Major modifications to exterior lighting are considered Level 3 changes requiring permits • Site plans for Level 4 reviews must include detailed information about site lighting • For developments requiring site plan review, include photometric data showing light intensity

Supporting Marshall's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the unique balance communities like Marshall strike between preserving historical character and meeting modern lighting needs. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with deep regional knowledge, we appreciate Marshall's commitment to architectural preservation while ensuring safety and functionality.

Our expertise in historically appropriate lighting solutions aligns perfectly with Marshall's values. We understand how lighting can enhance architectural features like those found in Marshall's Italianate and Romanesque buildings while meeting modern regulatory requirements.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations, offering insights on how to combine historical aesthetics with modern performance. Our experience with small town architectural styles enables us to recommend lighting solutions that complement Marshall's unique character and respect its regulations.

Conclusion

Marshall's lighting regulations reflect its dual commitment to preserving its historical character while providing safe, functional illumination for residents and visitors. By understanding these regulations, property owners can contribute to maintaining Marshall's distinctive atmosphere while ensuring their properties meet all safety and aesthetic requirements.

Whether installing new fixtures, modifying existing lighting, or planning developments, keeping these regulations in mind will help support Marshall's vision of a community that honors its past while embracing its future. Remember that city officials are available to help navigate these requirements and answer specific questions about your lighting needs.