Lighting Regulations in Newcastle, Oklahoma: Balancing Growth and Community Standards

Introduction

Newcastle, Oklahoma has come a long way since its founding in 1894. What began as a small agricultural community reliant on cotton, ranching, and dairy has evolved into a growing suburban city with expanding residential and commercial development. As Newcastle's population continues to increase—from 7,685 in 2010 to an estimated 10,000+ by 2020—the city has implemented various regulations to ensure growth occurs in harmony with community values.

Among these are lighting regulations designed to maintain Newcastle's suburban character while ensuring safety and functionality. These standards reflect the community's commitment to balancing development needs with quality of life considerations for all residents.

Quick Reference Guide

• Directional Requirements: Most lighting must be directed downward and internally to avoid glare
• Residential Protection: No annoying glare may be directed toward residential properties
• Street Light Specifications: 30-foot high poles with 100-watt high pressure sodium bulbs
• Street Light Placement: At intersections and no more than 300 feet apart
• Commercial Parking: Must be illuminated during evening hours (beginning 30 minutes after sunset)
• Sign Illumination: Various restrictions based on sign type and location
• Oil/Gas Sites: Special downward-directed lighting requirements to minimize neighborhood impact

Residential Area Lighting Requirements

Interior Residential Lighting

The Newcastle building code includes several specific requirements for interior lighting:

• Bathroom and Damp Locations: All lights must be controlled by wall switches, preferably double-pole type
• Shower Proximity: Switches located within five feet of a tub or shower must be GFCI protected
• Pet Shower Areas: Must follow wet location standards for GFCI protection and light fixture standards
• Circuit Loading: For calculation purposes, lights and receptacles count as outlets (maximum eight outlets on 15-amp circuits; ten outlets on 20-amp circuits)

Electrical Connections and Inspections

Before any electrical service is connected:

• All electrical work must be inspected and approved by the Electrical Inspector
• It is unlawful for any service provider to connect electrical service before this approval
• This requirement applies to all buildings requiring electrical current, light, heat, or power

Commercial and Industrial Lighting Standards

Glare Prevention

A consistent theme throughout Newcastle's lighting regulations is the protection of residential areas from light pollution:

• Directional Requirements: Lighting must be arranged so that no annoying glare is directed or reflected toward residential property
• Applicability: This requirement applies whenever commercial or industrial uses (including parking areas) adjoin residential districts
• Industrial Districts: Even in areas zoned for industrial uses that may generate higher levels of light, protections for nearby residential properties remain in place

Parking Lot Illumination

Commercial and institutional parking areas have specific lighting requirements:

• Evening Operation: All outdoor parking lots serving commercial and institutional uses must be illuminated during evening hours
• Timeframe: Evening hours begin 30 minutes after sunset
• Safety Considerations: Lighting equipment must not create nuisance or hazard for streets or adjoining properties
• Site Plan Review: For special exception applications, adequacy and manner of lighting and its effect on surrounding properties will be evaluated

Street and Subdivision Lighting

Street Light Specifications

Developers are responsible for installing street lights that meet these standards:

• Pole Height and Material: 30-foot high metal or wooden poles (Class 6)
• Bulb Requirements: 100-watt high pressure sodium bulbs
• Developer Options: Developers may choose to exceed these specifications at their additional cost

Street Light Placement

• Location Requirements: Lights must be placed at interior intersections on either public or private streets
• Maximum Spacing: No more than 300 feet between lights
• Special Situations: Closer spacing may be appropriate for curvilinear streets where visual contact between intersections is limited

Parks and Common Areas

• Park Driveways: Must be lit according to Illuminating Engineering Society standards or one-half candlepower (whichever is higher)
• Maintenance Responsibility: Property owners' organizations are responsible for maintaining lighting in streets and common areas
• City Enforcement: If maintenance is neglected, the city can enforce street light and parking area lighting maintenance

Sign Lighting Regulations

Permitted and Prohibited Lighting

Newcastle has clear guidelines about sign illumination:

• Prohibited for All Signs: Strobes, rotating lights, and high-density lighting
• Prohibited Features: No flashing or intermittent lighting of signs is permitted
• Construction Signs: Commercial construction signs may have indirect illumination; residential construction signs cannot be illuminated

Special Sign Requirements

• Subdivision Signs: May have indirect illumination if the light source is not visible from any home in the area
• Commercial Construction Signs: Must not exceed 80 square feet, may use only indirect illumination, and must be removed within ten days after construction completion
• Residential Construction Signs: Must not exceed 12 square feet, cannot be illuminated, and must be removed within ten days after construction completion

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Oil and Gas Production Sites

Given Newcastle's proximity to oil and gas activities, specific lighting regulations apply to these operations:

• Directional Requirements: Site lighting must be directed downward and internally
• Glare Prevention: Lighting must avoid creating glare on public roads and adjacent buildings within 300 feet
• Prohibited Direction: No lights may shine directly on roads or adjacent properties
• Screening Requirement: Production sites must have screening to protect adjoining properties from light and other nuisances
• Safety Considerations: While following these regulations, operations must still maintain necessary safety lighting

Marijuana Growing Facilities

With the legalization of medical marijuana in Oklahoma, Newcastle has implemented specific lighting requirements for growing facilities:

• Code Compliance: All lighting components must comply with municipal building and fire codes
• Nuisance Prevention: Growing operations must not produce light that is detrimental to public health or interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of life and property

Tower Lighting Restrictions

• General Prohibition: No signals or warning lights are permitted on any tower
• Exception: Lights required by municipal, state, or federal agencies are allowed

What Property Owners Should Know

Residential Property Owners

If you own residential property in Newcastle, you should be aware that:

• The city provides significant protection from light trespass from commercial and industrial properties
• Interior lighting installations, especially in bathrooms and wet locations, have specific safety requirements
• When building in subdivisions, street lighting will be installed by developers according to city specifications

Commercial Property Owners

For commercial property owners and businesses:

• Ensuring your lighting does not create glare toward residential areas is a key requirement
• Parking lots must be illuminated during evening hours of operation
• Sign lighting has various restrictions based on the type and location of signs
• Special use facilities like oil/gas sites or marijuana growing operations have additional requirements

Supporting Newcastle's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with its roots dating back to 1918, understands the balance Newcastle seeks to maintain between growth and preserving community character. While we're headquartered in Northeast Ohio, our expertise in architectural lighting allows us to appreciate communities like Newcastle that are navigating suburban growth while maintaining their distinctive identity.

As Newcastle continues to evolve from its agricultural beginnings into a thriving suburban community, lighting plays a crucial role in defining public spaces, ensuring safety, and respecting neighboring properties. Bock Lighting's experience with communities undergoing similar transitions enables us to serve as a resource for property owners seeking to comply with local regulations while achieving their lighting goals.

We share Newcastle's commitment to responsible development that respects community standards. Our understanding of the technical aspects of lighting—from directional control to appropriate fixture selection—aligns with Newcastle's emphasis on preventing light trespass and nuisance glare. As a company with deep experience in both historic preservation and modern lighting solutions, we appreciate Newcastle's practical approach to lighting regulations.

While specific requirements vary between communities, the principles behind Newcastle's regulations—safety, functionality, and respect for neighboring properties—are universal values we support through our educational resources and community engagement.

Conclusion

Newcastle's lighting regulations reflect the city's practical approach to maintaining community standards while accommodating growth. With a focus on preventing nuisance lighting, ensuring safety, and establishing clear specifications for street lighting, these regulations help preserve Newcastle's suburban character while allowing for continued development.

Property owners should pay particular attention to directional requirements that prevent glare toward residential areas, as this is a consistent theme throughout the code. By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to Newcastle's vision of balanced, responsible growth that respects the quality of life for all community members.

As Newcastle continues to grow beyond its agricultural roots, these lighting standards will help ensure that development enhances rather than detracts from the community character that makes the city a desirable place to live and work.