Lighting Regulations in Mussey Township, Michigan: Preserving Rural Character While Meeting Modern Needs

Introduction

Mussey Township, nestled in St. Clair County, Michigan, maintains a delicate balance between preserving its rural character and accommodating contemporary needs. Established in the mid-19th century, this community, which includes the village of Capac, has transformed from wilderness to a structured small township while retaining its peaceful, rural atmosphere.

The township's lighting regulations reflect this balance – designed to provide necessary illumination while preventing light pollution that would detract from the area's natural charm. These carefully crafted rules help maintain Mussey Township's distinctive character while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Before diving into details, here's a summary of the most critical lighting requirements in Mussey Township:

• General Principle: All exterior lighting must be shielded downward and away from adjacent properties and rights-of-way
• Residential Impact: Lighting must be directed away from and shielded from adjacent residential districts
• Light Trespass: For many applications, light levels must reach 0.0 footcandles at property lines
• Sign Illumination: Various restrictions based on district and sign type
• Documentation Required: Lighting plans must be submitted with permits for many applications
• Height Restrictions: Light poles limited to 18 feet in certain applications
• Electronic Messaging: Maximum brightness of 10,000 NITs with night-time reduction to 10% of maximum

General Exterior Lighting Requirements

Fundamental Principles

Mussey Township's lighting regulations consistently emphasize certain core principles. The most fundamental requirement is that lighting must be designed to minimize impact on neighboring properties – particularly residential areas.

All exterior lighting must be shielded to prevent glare and arranged to direct light away from adjacent properties. This requirement appears consistently throughout the township code for various applications.

Safety Considerations

Beyond protecting neighbors from unwanted light, the regulations also address safety concerns. Lighting must be arranged to avoid adversely affecting driver visibility on adjacent thoroughfares. This balances the need for adequate illumination with the prevention of dangerous glare that could impact roadway safety.

Parking Area Illumination

For parking areas specifically, lighting must be "confined within and directed onto the parking area only." This prevents parking lot lighting from spilling onto neighboring properties while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security.

Sign Illumination Standards

Residential and Agricultural Districts

The township has specific regulations regarding illuminated signs:

• Signs on residential premises may not be illuminated
• Electronic message signs are prohibited on residential or agricultural properties
• For freestanding signs in AG, SF, R-1, and RM Districts that are permitted illumination, light levels must reach 0.0 footcandles at property lines abutting residential lots

Commercial and Industrial Districts

Sign illumination in business and industrial districts has different standards:

• Wall signs in B-1, B-2, RC, and LI Districts may be internally or externally illuminated
• Awnings may be externally illuminated, but back-lit or internally illuminated awnings are prohibited
• For multi-unit residential buildings (more than two units), external illumination is permitted but internal illumination is prohibited

Electronic Messaging Requirements

For electronic message signs in business and industrial districts:

• Must include measures to reduce glare
• Must have an automatic dimmer to control brightness
• Maximum brightness cannot exceed 10,000 NITs
• Must be set to no more than 10% of maximum brightness at night

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Commercial and Industrial Applications

The township code contains specific lighting requirements for various commercial and industrial uses:

Vehicle Convenience Stations

All lighting must be noted on the site plan and shielded downward and away from adjacent properties and rights-of-way. Lighting must be designed to prevent glare from negatively impacting adjacent properties.

Commercial Outdoor Recreation

All lighting shall be shielded from adjacent residential districts.

Motor Freight and Truck Terminals

Site lighting must be designed to prevent glare on adjacent properties and detailed in the site plan.

Vehicle Wash Facilities

All lighting must be noted on the site plan and shielded downward and away from adjacent properties and rights-of-way.

Home Occupations and Residential Considerations

For home-based businesses and special residential uses:

• No equipment or process shall create glare detectable beyond the property line
• For medical marijuana cultivation in residential settings, all lighting must be shielded to prevent ambient light from creating a distraction for adjacent properties

Documentation and Planning Requirements

Lighting Plans

The township requires lighting plans for numerous applications, particularly for commercial and special uses. These plans must typically include:

• Lighting layout
• Fixture types and locations
• Method of shielding
• Light intensity details
• Prevention of light trespass onto neighboring properties

Electrical Plans

For electrical permits involving lighting systems, detailed plans must include:

• Lighting layout
• Circuiting
• Switching
• Conductor and raceway sizes
• Wattage schedule

What Property Owners Should Know

Residential Property Considerations

If you own residential property in Mussey Township, remember:

• Any exterior lighting should be shielded and directed to prevent light from spilling onto neighboring properties
• Signs on residential properties cannot be illuminated
• Home occupations must not create glare beyond your property line
• Special uses like medical marijuana cultivation have specific shielding requirements

Commercial Property Guidelines

For business owners:

• Document your lighting plan thoroughly in your site plan submissions
• Ensure all lighting is properly shielded and directed
• Pay special attention to property lines adjacent to residential districts
• Follow specific requirements for your type of business
• For electronic signs, include dimming capabilities and stay within brightness limits

Supporting Mussey Township's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares Mussey Township's commitment to balancing modern lighting needs with preservation of community character. We understand the importance of maintaining the rural charm that makes communities like Mussey Township special.

Our expertise in regional architectural styles and lighting requirements allows us to serve as a resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations. We appreciate Mussey Township's approach to responsible lighting that minimizes light pollution while providing necessary illumination for safety and functionality.

As a community partner, Bock Lighting is committed to sustainable and responsible lighting practices that align with Mussey Township's vision for preserving its distinctive rural character while meeting modern needs.

Conclusion

Mussey Township's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to maintaining its rural character while providing necessary illumination for safety and functionality. These regulations focus on preventing light trespass onto neighboring properties, particularly residential areas, while allowing appropriate illumination for businesses and other uses.

By understanding and following these regulations, property owners can contribute to preserving the township's distinctive character while meeting their lighting needs. The emphasis on shielding, directing light downward and away from neighboring properties, and documenting lighting plans creates a framework for responsible lighting that benefits the entire community.

For specific questions about your lighting project, contacting the township's building department is recommended to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.