Lighting Regulations in Pleasantville, Iowa: Balancing Rural Charm with Modern Needs

Introduction: Preserving Pleasantville's Character Through Thoughtful Lighting

Nestled in the rolling hills of South Central Iowa, Pleasantville has maintained its small-town charm while embracing responsible growth. Located about 25 miles southeast of Des Moines, this community takes pride in its agricultural heritage, quality of life, and proximity to Lake Red Rock.

The city's lighting regulations reflect Pleasantville's commitment to preserving its rural character while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses. These guidelines aim to reduce light pollution, conserve energy, and maintain the aesthetic appeal that makes Pleasantville special.

As the community continues to grow, these lighting standards help ensure development occurs in harmony with the city's values of sustainability, safety, and respect for neighboring properties.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into specifics, here's a summary of Pleasantville's most critical lighting regulations:

• Prohibited Lighting Types:
• Flashing or pulsating lights
• Moving lights
• High intensity lights
• Strobe lights
• Rotating beacons (except for emergency/warning purposes)
• Parking Lot Requirements:
• Maximum average illumination: 2 foot-candles
• Maximum illumination: 7.5 foot-candles
• Pole height limits: 25 feet near residential areas, 30 feet elsewhere
• Canopy Lighting Limits:
• Average illumination: Less than 50 foot-candles
• Maximum illumination: 70 foot-candles at ground level
• Maximum Lumen Rating for many fixtures: 16,000 lumens
• Sign Lighting: No flickering, flashing, or glaring light permitted

General Lighting Standards

Prohibited Lighting Types

Pleasantville's code is clear about lighting types that don't align with the community's character:

• Flashing or pulsating lights are prohibited in all zoning districts
• Moving lights are not permitted
• High intensity lights that could cause excessive glare are prohibited
• Strobe lights are not allowed
• Rotating beacons are forbidden

Exception: These prohibitions don't apply to emergency lights or warning lights when legally displayed.

Neon Lighting Considerations

While many communities ban neon lighting entirely, Pleasantville takes a more balanced approach:

• Neon lights are permitted but must be designed in harmony with the surrounding area
• Installation must be done in an aesthetically sound manner
• The goal is to allow business expression while maintaining community character

Light Trespass Prevention

The code emphasizes consideration for neighboring properties:

• Developments must be designed to prevent light trespass onto adjacent properties
• No light pollution is allowed to spill onto residential districts
• External lighting for signs must be shielded to prevent light emission to adjoining properties

Specific Fixture Requirements

Parking Lot Lighting

Parking lot lighting in Pleasantville must meet specific standards for both safety and aesthetics:

• Approved Light Types:
• Halogen
• Metal halide
• LED
• Similar types that reduce glare and provide improved color-correct vision
• Alternative Option:
• Full cut-off high pressure sodium lamps (maximum 16,000 lumens)
• Installation Requirements:
• Fixtures must be permanently fixed to shine directly onto the parking lot
• No portion of lamp, lens, or diffuser visible from side or top of shield
• No forward-throwing flood lights permitted
• Isometric map showing foot-candle contours required
• Height Restrictions:
• 25 feet maximum when adjacent to residential districts
• 30 feet maximum when adjacent to other zoning districts
• Multiple fixtures allowed on a single pole

Wall Pack Lighting

Wall pack lighting provides essential illumination for building exteriors:

• Permitted throughout commercial and industrial areas
• Cannot be forward-throwing flood lights
• Maximum lumen rating: 16,000 lumens

Canopy, Soffit, and Gooseneck Lighting

These specialized fixtures have specific requirements:

Canopy Lighting

• Isometric map required showing foot-candles across the site
• Average illumination must be less than 50 foot-candles under canopy
• Maximum illumination: 70 foot-candles at ground level

Soffit Lighting

• Must be fully contained within the soffit
• No visible bulb
• Maximum 16,000 lumens per fixture

Gooseneck Lighting

• Down-lighting applications only
• Bulb cannot be visible
• Maximum 16,000 lumens per fixture

Sign Lighting Regulations

Permissible Sign Lighting

Pleasantville allows both internal and external sign lighting with conditions:

• External lighting must be shielded
• Light cannot be directed toward adjoining properties
• Signs for home occupations limited to 4 square feet
• Electronic message scroll signs allowed if message doesn't flash

Prohibited Sign Lighting

To maintain community aesthetics, certain lighting styles are prohibited:

• No flickering lights
• No flashing lights
• No glaring lights
• No strobe lighting

Maintenance Requirements

All illuminated signs must be properly maintained:

• Good repair and working order required
• Regular maintenance of lighting components
• Proper fit and finish must be maintained

Special Purpose Lighting

Safety and Warning Lights

Safety remains a priority in Pleasantville's lighting code:

• Adequate warning lights required for excavations and hazards
• These lights must meet standards specified by the City
• It's unlawful to extinguish or remove safety lighting without proper consent

Site and Landscape Lighting

Decorative and functional site lighting has specific guidelines:

• Flood lights permitted as up-lighting only (for flags, buildings)
• Flood light fixtures must be screened with landscape materials
• Billboard illumination with diffusers is permitted

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for Compliance

When planning new construction or lighting upgrades:

• Site plans must include location and type of all existing/proposed lighting
• No building permits issued without compliant lighting plans
• Careful consideration of adjacent properties required

Balancing Functionality and Community Standards

Pleasantville's regulations aim to strike a balance:

• Lighting should provide adequate safety and visibility
• Installations should minimize impact on neighboring properties
• Designs should complement the community's aesthetic values

The Approval Process

Understanding the review process helps ensure smooth approval:

• Site plans must include detailed lighting specifications
• For certain uses, approval from Council after Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation
• Pole heights and fixture details must be illustrated on site plans or annotated on drawings

Supporting Pleasantville's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the balance that communities like Pleasantville strive to achieve between modern lighting needs and preserving community character. Our experience with similar Iowa communities has given us insight into the unique challenges of rural communities embracing growth while maintaining their heritage.

We appreciate Pleasantville's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations that protect the night sky from excessive light pollution while ensuring safety and functionality. As lighting professionals, we value the careful consideration given to fixture specifications and light levels that respect neighboring properties.

Pleasantville's commitment to sustainability and community enhancement aligns with our own values of responsible lighting practices. We're proud to serve as an educational resource for communities navigating the complexities of exterior lighting regulations.

Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs enables us to support communities like Pleasantville in maintaining their distinctive character while meeting modern standards for efficiency and performance.

Conclusion

Pleasantville's lighting regulations reflect the community's dedication to maintaining its small-town charm while providing for the safety and functionality needed in a growing city. By carefully balancing the need for adequate illumination with concerns about light pollution, Pleasantville has created standards that serve both businesses and residents.

Property owners planning new construction or lighting upgrades should familiarize themselves with these requirements early in the design process. By understanding and following these guidelines, residents and businesses can contribute to Pleasantville's vision of a well-lit, attractive community that honors its agricultural heritage while embracing sustainable growth.

These thoughtfully crafted lighting standards help ensure that as Pleasantville continues to develop, it will remain a place where the stars are visible at night and where lighting enhances rather than detracts from the community's character.