Lighting Regulations in Mayfield Heights, Ohio: A Guide to Local Standards and Requirements

Introduction: Preserving Character Through Thoughtful Lighting

Mayfield Heights, Ohio has evolved significantly since its early days as farmland to its incorporation as a village in 1920 and finally achieving city status in 1950. The city's diverse architectural landscape—featuring Queen Anne Shingle Style homes, bungalows, and Colonial Revival structures—reflects a rich historical heritage that the community values deeply.

The city's lighting regulations serve an important purpose: to maintain Mayfield Heights' distinctive character while ensuring safety, functionality, and aesthetic harmony. These standards help preserve the city's historical identity while accommodating contemporary needs of residents and businesses.

Whether you're a homeowner considering outdoor lighting improvements or a business owner navigating compliance requirements, understanding these regulations is essential for successful projects in Mayfield Heights.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into specifics, here are the most critical lighting requirements to know in Mayfield Heights:

• Parking Areas: Must be illuminated for safety with shielded lights that prevent glare
• Residential Adjacency: Lights visible to residential districts require appropriate shielding
• Multifamily Buildings: Minimum 3 footcandles required in all public hallways and common areas
• Swimming Pools: Lights must be arranged to direct illumination away from neighboring properties
• Signs: Illuminated signs require approval from Architectural Board of Review and Planning Commission
• U-7 Districts: All outdoor lights must be high-pressure sodium type with maximum 25-foot height
• Christmas Tree Sales: Require a special lighting permit from the Building Commissioner

Residential Lighting Requirements

Swimming Pool Lighting

If you have a swimming pool in Mayfield Heights, specific lighting regulations apply:

• Light Direction: Lights must be arranged and shaded to reflect light away from adjoining properties and streets
• Lens Recommendation: Daylight blue lenses are recommended
• Illumination Levels: Family pools used during darkness must maintain 2-5 footcandles of illumination on the pool surface and for a distance of 10 feet from the pool edge
• Safety Standards: All lighting and wiring must comply with the National Electrical Code and be UL approved

Outdoor Residential Lighting

While general residential outdoor lighting isn't extensively regulated, the code does specify:

• Outdoor lighting must be shielded or directed away from adjoining residential properties and streets
• Christmas decorations and holiday lights containing no commercial message are exempt from regular lighting regulations

Commercial District Lighting Standards

U-5 District Requirements

The U-5 district has specific requirements to ensure appropriate lighting:

• Lights visible to residential districts must have appropriate shielding
• Lighting is required along streets, in parking areas, and at intersections
• Pathways, sidewalks, and trails must use low or mushroom-type standards
• Spotlight fixtures attached to buildings are prohibited

U-7 District Standards

If you own property in a U-7 district, these lighting requirements apply:

• Light styles must be consistent within the gross site area
• All outdoor lights must be high-pressure sodium type
• Free-standing lights cannot exceed 25 feet in height
• Lights visible to adjacent residential districts require appropriate shielding

Parking and Loading Area Illumination

Section 1189.11 of the Mayfield Heights code provides specific requirements for lighting in parking areas:

• Illumination is required whenever necessary to protect public safety
• Light sources must be:
• Shielded from adjoining residential districts and streets
• Not of excessive brightness
• Positioned to avoid creating glare hazardous to pedestrians or drivers

These requirements balance the need for security with consideration for neighboring properties.

Multi-Family Dwelling Lighting Requirements

For apartment buildings and other multi-family structures, Section 1391.03 establishes minimum lighting standards:

• Public Areas: All public hallways, corridors, and stairways require minimum 3 footcandles of illumination
• Service Areas: Common areas like boiler rooms, laundries, basements, and meter rooms also need 3 footcandles minimum illumination
• Director's Discretion: The Director of Buildings may increase these requirements if reflected light is inadequate for safety

These standards ensure residents can safely navigate common areas at all times.

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Requirements

Mayfield Heights maintains careful control over illuminated signage:

• Light sources must not be of "excessive brightness" that might endanger pedestrians or drivers
• Illumination is permitted only on monument signs as specified in code
• Signs may only operate during the actual business hours of establishments on the property
• All illuminated signs require approval by both the Architectural Board of Review and Planning Commission

Digital Display Standards

For digital signage, additional technical requirements apply:

• Digital displays must employ light cut-off devices to minimize light escaping above a horizontal plane
• All displays must include dimmer controls and photo sensors to automatically adjust intensity
• Digital displays cannot emit light of an intensity that causes glare or impairs driver vision
• Copy changes cannot occur more frequently than once per 15 seconds
• A three-second pause with still image or blank screen must follow every message
• The applicant must provide a photometric plan showing proposed illumination levels

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Christmas Tree Sales

If you're planning to sell Christmas trees in Mayfield Heights:

• A lighting permit from the Building Commissioner is required
• Your application must include a plot plan showing the location of temporary lighting
• You must comply with orders from the Chief of Police and Fire Chief regarding lighting

Telecommunications Towers

Lighting requirements for cell towers vary by height:

• Towers under 150 feet: No artificial lighting except for safety or FAA requirements
• Towers between 150-200 feet: Must follow FAA safety marking and obstruction lighting
• Security lighting around equipment shelters may be required by the Planning Commission

What Property Owners Should Know

When planning lighting projects in Mayfield Heights, consider these practical tips:

• Consult Early: Contact the Building Department before beginning any significant lighting installation
• Consider Neighbors: Position lights to avoid spill-over onto adjacent properties
• Documentation: Prepare photometric plans for commercial projects showing anticipated light levels
• Historic Sensitivity: Choose fixtures that complement Mayfield Heights' architectural character
• Permits: Remember that certain applications (like Christmas tree sales) require specific lighting permits

The city's regulations aim to balance visibility and safety with preservation of community character and minimization of light pollution.

Supporting Mayfield Heights' Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, shares Mayfield Heights' commitment to preserving community character while embracing appropriate modernization. As a regional lighting manufacturer, Bock understands the unique balance the city seeks to maintain between historical preservation and contemporary functionality.

Our team appreciates the architectural diversity of Mayfield Heights and recognizes how thoughtful lighting can enhance the city's distinctive character. While navigating lighting regulations can sometimes be challenging, Bock serves as an educational resource to help property owners understand and implement standards that respect community aesthetics.

With experience in projects that honor local architectural traditions, Bock Lighting remains committed to supporting Mayfield Heights' vision of responsible, character-enhancing illumination that serves both practical and aesthetic purposes.

Conclusion

Mayfield Heights' lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to maintaining its historical character while ensuring safety and functionality. From the minimum 3 footcandles required in multifamily common areas to the high-pressure sodium requirements in U-7 districts, these standards help create a cohesive community aesthetic.

By understanding and following these regulations, property owners contribute to preserving the city's distinctive charm while creating well-lit, safe environments. The careful balance of illumination needs with preservation concerns demonstrates Mayfield Heights' thoughtful approach to community development.

For specific questions about lighting requirements for your property, the Mayfield Heights Building Department serves as your best resource for clarification and guidance.