Lighting Regulations in Reading, Pennsylvania: Balancing Historical Character with Modern Safety Standards

Introduction: Reading's Industrial Heritage and Lighting Needs

Founded in 1743, Reading, Pennsylvania, has a rich industrial history that continues to influence its modern identity. Strategically positioned between Pennsylvania's anthracite coal fields and Philadelphia's port, Reading developed as a significant industrial hub, with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad serving as an economic cornerstone of the community.

Today, Reading's regulations reflect a balance between preserving its industrial architectural heritage and ensuring public safety through proper illumination. The city's approach to lighting emphasizes safety, functionality, and respect for neighboring properties while maintaining the historical character that makes Reading unique.

With a population of approximately 88,082 residents, Reading continues to honor its past while building for the future. This commitment is evident in the city's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations.

Quick Reference Guide to Reading's Lighting Requirements

Critical Residential Lighting Requirements:

• Common halls and stairways must have at least one 60-watt bulb per 200 square feet
• Maximum spacing between lights in hallways: 30 feet
• All public halls, stairways, kitchens, bathrooms must have at least one electric luminaire
• Pool and spa luminaires over 15V require ground fault circuit interrupter protection

Critical Commercial/Outdoor Lighting Requirements:

• Maximum light spillover onto residential properties: 1.0 footcandles between 10pm-7am
• Maximum light spillover onto other properties: 2.0 footcandles between 10pm-6am
• Maximum height for light fixtures near residential lots: 35 feet
• Minimum illumination for egress routes: 1 footcandle at floors, landings, treads

Sign Lighting Requirements:

• Maximum light output: 500 initial lumens per square foot of sign face
• LED signs over 100 square feet prohibited within 400 feet of residential districts
• Off-premises illuminated signs within 300 feet of residential areas: no illumination between 11pm-6am
• Electronic message signs: maximum change frequency of once per 6 seconds (10 seconds for signs over 100 sq ft)

Residential Lighting Standards

Interior Lighting Requirements

Common hallways and stairways in multi-family dwellings must be illuminated at all times. These areas require a minimum of one 60-watt standard incandescent bulb (or equivalent) for every 200 square feet of floor area, with lights spaced no more than 30 feet apart.

Every public hall, interior stairway, toilet room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and utility room must have at least one electric luminaire. This ensures basic safety and functionality throughout residential buildings.

Safety Lighting for Water Features

Pool and spa lighting that exceeds 15 volts must be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupter protection. This critical safety feature helps prevent electrical accidents in wet environments.

Ventilation and Lighting Integration

In toilet rooms without natural light, ventilation systems must be connected to the light switch. These systems should be capable of changing the entire volume of air every five minutes, ensuring proper air quality in these enclosed spaces.

Commercial and Public Space Lighting

Egress Illumination

Interior and exterior means of egress and stairways in non-residential buildings must be illuminated whenever the building is occupied. These areas require a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) of illumination at floors, landings, and treads.

Parking Area Requirements

All parking areas with five or more spaces must be adequately illuminated for security purposes between sunset and sunrise. This lighting must be designed to prevent spillover onto adjacent properties and avoid creating glare for motorists.

Light Direction and Shielding

For horizontal surfaces like parking lots and vehicle display areas, lighting fixtures must be:

• Aimed downward
• Equipped with full-cutoff measures
• Positioned to prevent glare onto streets
• Designed to minimize light shining onto residential properties

Controlling Light Pollution and Nuisance

Light Spillover Restrictions

Reading's code includes specific limits on light trespass:

• Between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., illumination must not cause light spillover exceeding 2.0 horizontal footcandles onto other properties
• For residential lots in residential districts, this limit is reduced to 1.0 horizontal footcandles between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• Spillover measurements are taken at a height of five feet above grade

Height Restrictions

No luminaire, spotlight, or other light source within 200 feet of a residential lot line can be placed higher than 35 feet above the average surrounding ground level.

Exceptions to this height limit include:

• Lights required for air safety
• Architectural feature lighting
• Public recreation facilities
• Wall-mounted sign lighting permitted at greater heights

Exposed Bulbs and Shielding

All light sources must be properly diffused with translucent covers or shielded to prevent direct visibility of bulbs from streets, sidewalks, or neighboring properties. This requirement doesn't apply to LED lights or bulbs of 25 watts or less.

Sign and Billboard Illumination

Electronic and Changing Signs

Reading has specific regulations for electronic and illuminated signs:

• Electronic signs cannot change messages more frequently than once every six seconds
• Signs larger than 100 square feet cannot change more than once every 10 seconds
• Maximum light output: 500 initial lumens per square foot of sign face per side
• LED signs exceeding 100 square feet per side are prohibited within 400 feet of residential districts
• Off-premises illuminated signs within 300 feet of residential areas cannot be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Billboard Requirements

For billboards, lighting should be:

• Attached to the top of the structure
• Directed downward
• Positioned to avoid glare for motorists
• Designed to not obscure or interfere with traffic signs or signals

Prohibited Sign Lighting

The following sign lighting types are prohibited:

• Flashing, blinking, or animated lighting (except for seasonal decorations between October 30 and January 10)
• Lighting that could be confused with traffic control devices
• Lighting that causes glare or impairs driver vision

Specialized Lighting Applications

Flag Illumination

Any lighting used to illuminate flags must use a beam no wider than necessary to properly light the flag. This focused approach minimizes light pollution while still allowing for patriotic displays.

Commercial Lighting in Residential Areas

Neon, argon, and similar lighting is prohibited within residential districts for commercial advertising purposes if visible from dwellings on other lots. This preserves the residential character of neighborhoods.

Gasoline Station Canopies

Light fixtures for gas station canopies must be:

• Recessed into the canopy, or
• Screened by an extension around the bottom of the canopy
• Designed so lighting elements are not visible from adjacent properties or streets

Supporting Reading's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, shares Reading's commitment to honoring historical character while meeting modern lighting needs. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer, we understand the importance of balancing industrial heritage with contemporary requirements.

Reading's approach to lighting regulations mirrors our own philosophy of respecting community character through thoughtful illumination. Just as Reading has evolved from its railroad roots while preserving its historical districts, Bock Lighting combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.

Our team appreciates Reading's balanced approach to lighting regulations that protect residential areas while supporting commercial needs. We're committed to helping communities like Reading maintain their distinctive character while meeting safety and functional lighting requirements.

As a resource for communities navigating lighting standards, we understand the technical requirements that ensure compliance with local regulations while respecting the unique architectural heritage of industrial cities like Reading.

Conclusion

Reading's lighting regulations demonstrate a thoughtful balance between safety, functionality, and preservation of the city's historical character. By providing clear standards for light intensity, placement, and directionality, these regulations help ensure that illumination serves its purpose without creating nuisances or detracting from Reading's distinctive sense of place.

Property owners should pay particular attention to requirements for shielding, height limitations, and maximum spillover allowances when planning new lighting installations or renovations. These standards help maintain Reading's unique character while providing adequate illumination for safety and security.

As Reading continues to honor its industrial past while building for the future, these lighting standards play an important role in shaping the nighttime experience of this historic Pennsylvania city.