Lighting Regulations in North Royalton, Ohio: Balancing Suburban Character with Modern Needs

Introduction

North Royalton, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland located in Cuyahoga County, has evolved from its rural farming roots to become a thriving suburban community. Founded in 1818 as Royalton Township and later incorporated as a city in 1961, North Royalton has carefully managed its growth while maintaining its unique suburban character.

The city's approach to lighting regulations reflects its commitment to preserving a high quality of life for residents while accommodating modern development needs. These regulations aim to ensure safety, prevent light pollution, and maintain the aesthetic appeal that makes North Royalton special.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Minimum Light Levels:

• Tattoo/body piercing businesses: 20 foot-candles at 30 inches above floor
• Tattooing/piercing areas: 40 foot-candles minimum
• Adult entertainment businesses: 5 foot-candles measured at floor level
• Parking areas: 0.5 foot-candle minimum maintained average

Residential Requirements:

• Front yard post light required for all new residential dwellings
• Electric lights must be photo cell controlled with at least one 100-watt light bulb
• Location standardized throughout street/subdivision (determined by Building Commissioner)

Swimming Pool Lighting:

• Must be shaded to direct light away from neighboring properties
• Flood lights prohibited after 11:00 p.m. if pool is within 200 feet of a dwelling
• All fixtures must be UL approved and meet National Electrical Code

Digital/Electronic Sign Limitations:

• Maximum brightness: 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light levels
• Must include dimmer control and photo sensor for automatic adjustment
• Face illumination must not fall below 98%

Residential Lighting Requirements

New Home Construction

North Royalton has specific requirements for lighting at new residential properties. No occupancy permit will be granted for any new residential dwelling until a front yard post light is installed and operational.

Post Light Specifications

The required post light must meet several specifications:

• May be powered by electricity or natural gas
• Electric lights must include photo cell control
• Must contain at least one 100-watt light bulb
• Location should be standardized throughout the street or subdivision

The Building Commissioner determines the standardized location of these post lights to ensure consistency within neighborhoods, reflecting North Royalton's commitment to aesthetic harmony.

Swimming Pool Illumination

If you own or plan to install a residential swimming pool, specific lighting regulations apply:

• Lights must be arranged and shaded to direct light away from adjoining properties and streets
• Flood lights cannot be used after 11:00 p.m. if the pool is within 200 feet of any dwelling
• All lighting must be adequate for safety as determined by the Building Commissioner
• All wiring and fixtures must comply with the National Electrical Code and be UL approved

Commercial Property Lighting

General Requirements

Commercial properties in North Royalton must carefully consider lighting impacts on surrounding areas, particularly when adjacent to residential zones.

Parking Area Illumination

All off-street parking areas must include a lighting system that meets these requirements:

• Minimum maintained average light level of 0.5 foot-candle across the entire facility
• Maximum brightness ratio of 6:1 for even illumination
• Hooded fixtures to prevent light spillage
• Arrangement that prevents nuisance to highway traffic or adjacent properties
• Design subject to Planning Commission approval

Business District Considerations

The Planning Commission may require a wall or solid fence (5-7 feet high) at least ten feet inside Business District boundaries to shield adjacent areas from parking lot illumination and headlights.

Special Business Types

Tattoo and Body Piercing Businesses:

• Minimum of 20 foot-candles of light at 30 inches above the floor
• Enhanced lighting of 40 foot-candles where tattooing or piercing is performed
• Spotlighting permitted to achieve required illumination

Adult Entertainment Businesses:

• Minimum of 5 foot-candles measured at floor level
• Illumination must be maintained whenever patrons are present
• Must close immediately during power failures until minimum illumination is restored
• Exterior lighting required for monitoring of premises

Sign Illumination Guidelines

General Requirements

North Royalton carefully regulates sign illumination to maintain community aesthetics while ensuring safety:

• Light sources must be shielded from residential buildings and streets
• Brightness must not cause hazardous glare for pedestrians or drivers
• Signs in Business and Industrial Districts may be illuminated
• In Public Facilities districts, only nameplates and bulletin boards may be illuminated

Special Sign Types

Digital Display Signs:

• Permitted only in Industrial, Public Facility, and Business districts
• Only allowed on properties exceeding 2 acres with at least 200 feet of frontage
• Maximum brightness of 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light
• Must include dimmer control and photo sensor for automatic adjustment
• Must have default mechanism to turn off during malfunction
• Prohibited features: flashing, spinning, rotating, video content

Prohibited Sign Types:

• Illuminated signs with red or green bulbs that might interfere with traffic signals
• Bare strings of light bulbs
• Exposed incandescent lamps (unless screened or placed at least 10 feet above ground)

Town Center District Special Requirements

The Town Center Districts (TCD) have specific lighting requirements to maintain the desired character:

• Rear parking lots may use taller, typical light poles
• Parking lots visible from main thoroughfares must use shorter, historic-styled light poles of consistent type
• Main roads in TCD-1 through TCD-5 require streetlights
• Sodium lamps are prohibited throughout these districts
• Parking lot lighting may not be mounted to buildings (except in service alleys)
• Ground lighting may not be used to highlight tenant display windows

Supporting North Royalton's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with deep roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, understands the unique character of communities like North Royalton. As suburban areas balance growth with preservation of neighborhood character, lighting plays a crucial role in maintaining that delicate balance.

Our team appreciates North Royalton's approach to lighting regulations, which reflect the community's evolution from rural township to vibrant suburb while maintaining its distinctive character. We recognize the importance of lighting solutions that enhance safety and functionality without compromising the aesthetic quality of residential neighborhoods.

As a regional manufacturer, Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for homeowners, builders, and businesses navigating lighting regulations. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and suburban development patterns allows us to provide guidance that respects North Royalton's commitment to high-quality community standards.

By supporting local communities in implementing thoughtful lighting practices, we help maintain the suburban character that makes North Royalton a desirable place to live and work.

Conclusion

North Royalton's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to maintaining a high-quality suburban environment while addressing practical needs for illumination. From residential post lights to commercial property requirements, these standards help ensure safety, prevent nuisance lighting, and preserve the community's aesthetic character.

Property owners should consult with the Building Department before installing new lighting systems to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. By working together, residents and businesses can maintain North Royalton's distinctive character while providing appropriate illumination for safety and enjoyment.

Understanding and following these lighting guidelines helps continue North Royalton's tradition of thoughtful development that respects both its history and its future as a premier Cleveland suburb.