Lighting Regulations in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma: A Practical Guide for Property Owners

Introduction: Balancing Heritage and Modern Lighting Needs

Pryor Creek, Oklahoma—originally known as Coo-y-yah—has evolved from its humble beginnings as a trading post established by Captain Nathaniel Pryor into a thriving community that carefully balances its rich historical heritage with modern development needs. The city, officially incorporated in 1951, takes pride in its historical landmarks such as the Mayes County Historical Museum (formerly the Coo-Y-Yah Museum) housed in the historic Katy Railroad Depot.

With a population of approximately 9,448 (as of the 2020 Census), Pryor Creek maintains a careful balance between industrial growth and the preservation of its historical character. This balance is reflected in the city's approach to lighting regulations, which aim to maintain safety and functionality while respecting the community's aesthetic values.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here's a quick reference of the most important lighting regulations in Pryor Creek:

• Sign Illumination: Maximum 70 foot-candles measured 2 feet from sign face • Dynamic Displays: Maximum 6,500 nits during day, 500 nits at night • Prohibited Lighting: Search lights, strobe lights, and rotating beacon lights visible from public right-of-way • Street Lights: Must follow American National Standard Practice for Roadway Lighting • Home Occupations: No commercial-like exterior lighting permitted • Light Trespass: Defined as "light that is emitted into an unintended area"

Sign Lighting Requirements

Illumination Standards

Sign illumination in Pryor Creek is carefully regulated to maintain community aesthetics while ensuring visibility. The regulations specify:

• Constant light illumination not exceeding 70 foot-candles measured 2 feet from the sign face • Illumination measurement taken perpendicular to the sign face center • All illumination must be by constant light unless otherwise expressly permitted

Dynamic Display Regulations

Dynamic displays (digital signs) have additional requirements:

• Must include light detector/photocell to automatically adjust brightness based on ambient light • Maximum brightness: 6,500 nits during daylight hours • Reduced brightness: 500 nits between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise • Brightness measured from the brightest element of the sign's face

Prohibited Sign Lighting

The following lighting types are expressly prohibited in Pryor Creek:

• Search lights • Strobe lights • Rotating beacon lights visible from public right-of-way • Flashing, blinking, or traveling lights on off-premises outdoor advertising signs • Reflective glitter on outdoor advertising signs

Any signs that don't conform to these regulations must be immediately removed or modified to comply.

Residential and Commercial Property Lighting

Home Occupation Lighting Restrictions

For home-based businesses, lighting must remain residential in character:

• No light production that isn't typical of a residential neighborhood • Commercial-like exterior lighting is prohibited • Illuminated nameplate signs are prohibited for home occupations

Family Amusement Centers

The code specifically addresses lighting for family amusement centers:

• Must be well lighted • Required to have an open glass front to permit open vision from outside

Infrastructure and Public Safety Lighting

Street Lighting Systems

The Utility Board has authority over the street lighting system:

• Responsible for care, custody, and management of the street lighting system • May enlarge and extend the system as necessary • Street light poles may be served by either overhead line or underground cable

Development Requirements

For new developments, decision-making bodies can require:

• Installation of street lights along streets • Location and type determined during development review • Must follow guidelines in the American National Standard Practice for Roadway Lighting (ANSI/IESNA RP-8-00)

Private Street Requirements

Private streets have specific lighting regulations:

• Must include all street fixtures required for public streets • Cost of powering street lights on private streets is the sole responsibility of the property owners' association

Construction and Work Zone Lighting

Safety Lighting for Work Areas

When construction creates ditches or excavations, proper lighting is required:

• Yellow lights must be placed not less than 25 feet apart along ditches that run parallel with streets • Lights must be maintained from sunset until sunrise • For pedestrian bridges over work areas, red lights must be maintained on each side at night (torches may be used as alternatives)

Tower Lighting Regulations

Restrictions on Tower Illumination

Towers in Pryor Creek have specific lighting limitations:

• Towers may not be artificially illuminated • Strobe lights are prohibited unless expressly required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other Federal/State authorities • Light fixtures for ball fields, parking lots, or similar areas may be attached to towers only if incorporated into the approved tower design

Practical Considerations for Property Owners

Understanding Light Trespass

Pryor Creek defines "light trespass" as light that is emitted into an unintended area. Though specific limitations aren't detailed in the extracts, property owners should be mindful about how their lighting affects neighboring properties.

Tree Maintenance Requirements

Property owners should note that trees must be maintained to avoid obstructing lighting:

• Tree branches overhanging streets must be pruned to not obstruct street lamp light • The city has the right to prune trees on private property if they interfere with the proper spread of light from street lights

Permit Requirements

Before installing electrical fixtures:

• Permits must be obtained from the Building Official • Applications made to the City Clerk must include plans and specifications • The Electrical Inspector must be permitted to inspect electrical or fixture work

Supporting Pryor Creek's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting: Understanding Regional Needs

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands the importance of balancing modern lighting needs with community character. Though not directly involved in Pryor Creek's regulations, our company appreciates communities like Pryor Creek that strive to preserve their historical identity while ensuring functional, safe lighting.

Communities throughout the Midwest and beyond share similar challenges in lighting historic areas appropriately. Bock Lighting's experience with regional architectural styles and lighting needs allows us to serve as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations.

Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with the values of communities like Pryor Creek that seek to maintain their distinctive character while embracing necessary modern technologies.

Conclusion

Pryor Creek's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to balancing safety, functionality, and aesthetic preservation. While the requirements may seem technical, they serve the important purpose of maintaining the community's character while ensuring proper illumination.

Property owners should particularly note the specific requirements for sign illumination, the prohibition of certain types of lights, and the standards for street lighting. By following these guidelines, residents and business owners can contribute to preserving Pryor Creek's unique charm while ensuring appropriate lighting for safety and visibility.

Remember that this guide provides a general overview of Pryor Creek's lighting regulations. For specific projects, consulting with city officials is recommended to ensure full compliance with current requirements.