Lighting Regulations in Preble County, Ohio: A Property Owner's Guide to Compliance and Community Standards

Introduction

Preble County, located in the southwest corner of Ohio, has established lighting regulations as part of its zoning code to ensure that exterior and interior lighting serves the community's needs while respecting neighbors' rights to enjoy their properties without nuisance. These regulations reflect the county's commitment to balancing practical lighting needs with neighborhood compatibility, safety considerations, and aesthetic standards.

Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or developer in Preble County, understanding these lighting requirements is essential for both compliance and good neighborly relations. This guide breaks down the county's lighting regulations into clear, actionable information.

Quick Reference Guide: Preble County Lighting Regulations

• General Principle: Direct light inward and away from adjacent properties
• Parking Lots: Maximum 16-foot height for lighting near residential areas
• Service Buildings: Minimum 30 footcandles at mirrors and work areas, 5 footcandles for general areas
• Signs: Illuminated signs for non-residential buildings must use concealed light sources and turn off by 10:00 p.m.
• Prohibited: Flashing lights, bare bulb illumination, string lights on building edges, flame light sources
• Recreation Areas: 100-foot setback required for night lighting near residential properties

General Lighting Requirements

Preventing Light Trespass

The core principle of Preble County's lighting regulations is simple: your light should stay on your property. The code repeatedly emphasizes that exterior lighting must be "directed inward and away from abutting properties."

This requirement appears in multiple sections of the code, highlighting its importance across different types of developments and land uses.

Glare Prevention

Glare – intense, uncomfortable light – is specifically addressed in the regulations. Properties must not produce glare that affects neighboring properties or public rights-of-way.

Lighting installations should be designed with appropriate shielding and positioning to prevent direct light from casting onto adjacent properties or streets.

Nuisance Prevention

No lighting installation should "constitute a nuisance" according to the code. This broad requirement gives the county flexibility in addressing problematic lighting that might technically meet other specifications but still causes issues for neighbors or traffic.

Technical Lighting Specifications

Illumination Levels

Preble County provides specific illumination requirements for service buildings:

• Lavatory mirrors and laundry work areas: Minimum of 30 footcandles
• General seeing tasks: Minimum of 5 footcandles
• Service building entrance areas: Minimum of 5 footcandles

Height Restrictions

For parking lots adjacent to residential areas, lighting fixtures must not be installed higher than 16 feet above the parking lot surface. This height restriction helps minimize light trespass into neighboring residential properties.

Fixture Requirements

Service buildings must be equipped with:

• At least one ceiling-type light fixture
• At least one separate double convenience outlet adjacent to lavatories
• A light fixture at the outside entrance
• Wall switches for all lights (pull cords are prohibited)

Use-Specific Lighting Requirements

Mobile/Manufactured Home Developments

The code requires:

• Appropriate lighting along all interior roadways and walkways
• Positioning and shading of all lights to avoid glare on adjoining properties
• Underground installation of all wires, cables, and lines providing electric utility services and connections to buildings and light poles

Parking Areas

Parking lot lighting has several specific requirements:

• Deflection: All illumination must be deflected away from adjacent residential areas
• Adjustable intensity: Lighting must be installed to allow reduction during non-peak hours
• Documentation: Lighting details must be included in plans submitted to the Zoning Enforcement Officer and County Engineer

Signs and Identification

For nonresidential buildings:

• Identification signs may be illuminated, but only from a concealed light source
• Illuminated signs must be turned off by 10:00 p.m.

Recreational Areas

Outdoor recreation facilities with night lighting must maintain a minimum 100-foot setback from any residential property.

Prohibited Lighting Practices

Preble County explicitly prohibits several lighting types and installations:

• Flashing signs or devices displaying flashing or intermittent lights (except time/temperature signs that change on cycles of at least 5 seconds)
• Illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining property lines, sales areas, roof lines, doors, windows, or wall edges
• Bare bulb illumination in any context
• Flame as a source of light
• Any operation producing intense light visible beyond property lines (except exterior welding required for construction)

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for Compliance

When developing property in Preble County, lighting plans should be prepared early in the process. Applications for conditional use permits must include:

• The location and dimensions of all proposed exterior lighting
• Evaluation of potential effects like glare on adjoining properties

Commercial Considerations

Businesses have additional considerations:

• Drive-in, fast-food, and carry-out restaurants must ensure lighting doesn't impair safe traffic movement
• Commercial buildings must shield exterior lighting to avoid casting direct light on adjacent properties
• Interior spaces open to the public must maintain adequate lighting of exits, aisles, and passageways

Documentation Requirements

The county requires detailed lighting information when submitting development plans:

• Location and design of fixtures
• Intensity specifications
• Color and beam spread of all exterior lighting
• Integration with other site elements like landscaping and structures

Supporting Preble County's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting's Community Commitment

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands the unique character and needs of Ohio communities like Preble County.

Bock shares Preble County's commitment to balancing practical lighting needs with neighborhood compatibility. Our expertise in regional architectural styles and lighting requirements can help property owners navigate compliance while maintaining aesthetic quality.

We believe in the importance of responsible lighting that serves community needs without creating nuisance – the same principle that underlies Preble County's regulations. As lighting technology evolves, we remain committed to solutions that respect community standards while meeting modern needs.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners, helping them understand how lighting regulations promote safety, efficiency, and good neighborly relations throughout Preble County.

Conclusion

Preble County's lighting regulations focus on minimizing nuisance while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality. The primary principles – directing light inward and away from neighbors, preventing glare, and using appropriate fixtures – create a framework that allows for effective lighting while respecting community standards.

Property owners should review these requirements carefully when planning new construction or renovations. By understanding and following these guidelines, residents and businesses can contribute to maintaining the quality of life in Preble County while meeting their own lighting needs.

Remember that lighting requirements may be updated periodically, so it's always advisable to check with the county zoning office for the most current regulations before beginning any significant lighting installation or modification.