Lighting Regulations in New Whiteland, Indiana: A Guide for Modern Suburban Development

Introduction: New Whiteland's Lighting Framework

New Whiteland, Indiana, incorporated in July 1954, was established with a vision of growth and opportunity. Founded by Marley Williams and local businessmen who recognized the potential of its strategic location along the newly rerouted US 31, the town embodied post-war suburban expansion. Unlike communities with centuries of historic architecture, New Whiteland's relatively recent establishment has shaped its approach to infrastructure development—including its lighting regulations.

As a planned community designed with modern amenities in mind, New Whiteland's lighting standards reflect its commitment to safety, visibility, and community development. These regulations ensure that lighting enhances the town's suburban character while providing necessary illumination for its residents.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Street Lighting:

• High pressure sodium lamps with minimum 150-watt output
• Cast aluminum poles with minimum 12-foot height
• Placement at all street intersections and maximum 300 feet apart

Illumination Levels (Mobile Home Parks):

• Access entrances: 1.0 footcandle
• Interior streets/storage areas: 0.4 footcandle
• Walkways/passive recreation: 0.2 footcandle
• Active recreation areas: 10.0 footcandles

Sign Illumination:

• No illuminated signs within 50 feet of residential districts (unless specially designed)
• Indirect or interior illumination only (no exposed bulbs or neon tubing)
• No signs that create hazardous conditions for motorists

General Requirements:

• Lighting must be shielded and directed to prevent glare on adjacent properties
• No bare incandescent bulbs allowed for exterior illumination
• No unshielded incandescent lamps or emergency vehicle-type lighting

Street Lighting Standards

Fixture Requirements

Street lighting in New Whiteland must enhance developments while providing security. The town's regulations specify detailed technical requirements:

• Fixtures must be pole-mounted luminaries made of cast aluminum
• All components including fixtures, ballasts and lamps must be UL or ETL listed for outdoor use
• Fixtures must operate on 120-volt power
• Lamps must be long-lasting, high-efficiency high pressure sodium type with 150-watt minimum output
• Fixtures must include ballasts rated for -30°F operating temperature
• Photo electric cells and glass or acrylic refractors are required

Pole Specifications

The support structures for street lighting are equally important in New Whiteland's regulations:

• Light poles must be made of cast aluminum with 12-foot minimum height
• Poles must be mounted to a concrete base
• Minimum thickness requirement of 0.188-inch
• Colored, factory-applied finish is required
• Circular construction with tapered or straight-fluted shaft
• Base size must be suitable for height and application (per manufacturer recommendations)
• Proper mounting hardware for attaching light fixtures must be supplied

Placement and Coverage

The regulations ensure comprehensive lighting coverage throughout developments:

• Street lighting is required for all commercial and residential subdivisions
• Lights must be placed at all street intersections
• Maximum spacing between lights is 300 feet
• Lighting must be connected to common circuits
• Utility costs are paid by subdivision homeowners associations or commercial property owners

Parking and General Area Lighting

Visibility and Glare Prevention

New Whiteland prioritizes good visibility while minimizing light pollution:

• Lighting equipment must provide good visibility with minimum direct glare
• Equipment must be located, shielded and directed to confine light distribution
• Objectionable spill light onto adjacent properties or streets must be avoided
• Bare incandescent bulbs are expressly prohibited

Prohibited Lighting Types

The regulations clearly identify lighting approaches that are not permitted:

• Stringers or unshielded incandescent lamps where the entire lamp envelope functions as a light emitter
• Attention-attracting lighting similar to types used by emergency vehicles
• Any lighting that interferes with street traffic

Mobile Home Park Lighting Standards

Required Illumination Areas

Mobile home parks have specific areas that require adequate lighting:

• Access entrances and interior streets
• Intersections and dead ends
• Curves and open storage areas
• Walkways and recreation areas (both passive and active)

Illumination Levels

The regulations provide specific footcandle requirements for different areas:

• Access entrances: 1.0 footcandle
• Interior streets and open storage: 0.4 footcandle
• Walkways and passive recreation areas: 0.2 footcandle
• Active recreation areas: 10.0 footcandles

Installation Requirements

Detailed specifications govern how lighting should be installed:

• Lighting devices can be mounted from ground level to 42 inches above ground
• Alternatively, mounting heights of 10 to 30 feet above ground are permitted
• Maximum spacing at 30-foot height is 150 feet
• All lighting for private streets requires Zoning Administrator approval

Sign Illumination Regulations

Placement Restrictions

New Whiteland carefully regulates where illuminated signs can be placed:

• No illuminated signs within 50 feet of residential districts unless specially designed to prevent light spillage
• Signs cannot obstruct, obscure, or be confused with traffic control devices
• Signs cannot be erected on lampposts or electric light poles

Safety Considerations

Safety is a primary concern in sign illumination regulations:

• No illuminated sign can create distracting or hazardous conditions for motorists or pedestrians
• No sign can shine directly or reflect glare into dwellings, hospitals, or nursing homes
• Signs which violate municipal or state highway standards are prohibited

Illumination Methods

The regulations specify acceptable illumination approaches:

• All sign illumination must be indirect or interior
• No exposed bulbs, neon tubing, or fluorescent tubing is allowed
• Exceptions exist for automatic changing signs (time/temperature displays) and seasonal/holiday illumination

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning Requirements

When developing property in New Whiteland, lighting considerations must be included in your plans:

• Preliminary site plans must include location and design of street and parking lighting
• Plans for parking areas with five or more vehicles must include lighting details
• Commercial and industrial developments must screen lighting from adjacent residential areas
• The Plan Commission may require additional lighting based on review

Residential Considerations

For homeowners, several lighting regulations apply:

• Lamp posts are permitted on residential lots
• Home occupations must not create glare exceeding normal residential levels
• Nameplates for home occupations cannot be illuminated

Alarm System Requirements

If installing alarm systems, be aware that:

• Local alarm systems must include an alarm light
• The alarm light must be a weatherproof high-intensity strobe fixture
• Red lexan globe and metal globe guard are required

Supporting New Whiteland's Lighting Vision

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with over a century of experience, Bock Lighting understands the unique needs of communities like New Whiteland. We recognize that New Whiteland's lighting regulations reflect its identity as a planned community focused on safety, visibility, and modern amenities.

Bock Lighting shares New Whiteland's commitment to quality infrastructure that enhances community character. Just as New Whiteland was established with a forward-looking vision in 1954, Bock Lighting has evolved since 1918 to meet the changing needs of American communities while maintaining our commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Our expertise in suburban lighting solutions aligns with New Whiteland's standards for street lighting, parking illumination, and residential applications. We understand the balance between providing adequate illumination for safety while preventing light trespass and glare—key concerns in New Whiteland's regulations.

As a resource for communities navigating lighting regulations, we're committed to helping property owners and developers understand how technical specifications translate to real-world applications. Our understanding of regional needs and municipal requirements positions us as a knowledgeable partner in supporting New Whiteland's lighting vision.

Conclusion

New Whiteland's lighting regulations reflect its origins as a planned community designed for growth and development. Unlike towns with centuries of historical architecture, New Whiteland's mid-century founding has shaped a lighting framework focused on modern infrastructure that enhances safety and visibility.

The detailed specifications for street lighting, illumination levels, and glare prevention ensure that lighting supports community development while respecting neighboring properties. For property owners and developers, understanding these regulations is essential to creating projects that align with New Whiteland's vision.

By following these guidelines, community members contribute to maintaining New Whiteland's character as a well-planned suburban community that continues to build on the foundation established by its founders in 1954.