Lighting Regulations in Reminderville, Ohio: Balancing Growth and Community Character

Introduction

Reminderville, Ohio has come a long way from its humble beginnings as what was once known as the "smallest village in Ohio." Located approximately 25 miles from downtown Cleveland, this charming community has experienced remarkable growth, becoming the fastest-growing community in Summit County. The 2020 census marked a significant milestone when Reminderville's population reached 5,412, prompting its reclassification from a village to a city.

As Reminderville continues to evolve, the city has implemented lighting regulations that balance modern development needs with preserving the community's small-town charm. These regulations reflect Reminderville's commitment to maintaining quality of life while accommodating growth.

Quick Reference Guide to Reminderville's Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here are the most critical lighting requirements to know:

• Construction Sites: Must have warning lights at night for safety
• Residential Signs: Most residential signs cannot be illuminated
• Multifamily Buildings: Common areas require specific lighting standards (60-watt bulb per 200 sq ft)
• Non-Residential Buildings: Exits require minimum illumination of 1 footcandle
• Apartment Buildings: LED indicator lights required outside apartment suites
• Oil/Gas Wells: Lighting must not emit onto properties outside the drilling unit
• Parking Lots: Must be screened to prevent headlight glare into residential areas

Safety Lighting Requirements

Construction and Excavation Sites

Safety is a primary concern in Reminderville, particularly around construction areas:

• Section 521.03(a) requires that excavations, wells, cesspools, or structures under construction must be guarded by warning devices or lights at night to prevent dangers to life or limb
• Section 521.03(b) prohibits anyone from destroying, removing, damaging, or extinguishing any barricade or warning light placed for public protection

Building Safety Standards

Proper lighting is considered a critical safety feature in buildings:

• Structures with inadequate light are officially defined as "unsafe buildings" constituting a serious hazard
• All spaces must have sufficient natural or artificial light to permit maintenance of sanitary conditions and safe occupancy

Emergency and Exit Lighting

Specific requirements exist for common areas and exit routes:

• Common halls and stairways in residential buildings (except single-family and duplexes) must be illuminated with:
• At least a 60-watt standard incandescent light bulb for each 200 square feet of floor area
• Spacing between lights cannot exceed 30 feet
• Means of egress in non-residential occupancies must maintain:
• Illumination at all times with a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) at floors, landings, and treads
• This includes exterior egress stairways

Residential Lighting Regulations

Interior Lighting Requirements

Reminderville code specifies minimum lighting fixtures for residential properties:

• Every public hall, interior stairway, toilet room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, boiler room, and furnace room must contain at least one electric lighting fixture

Multifamily Housing Requirements

Apartment buildings have special requirements:

• LED indicator lights are required outside of apartment suites in multifamily dwellings
• Common areas follow the 60-watt per 200 square feet rule mentioned above

Neighborhood Compatibility

Reminderville's planning recommendations emphasize minimizing light impacts:

• Development standards require buffer zones and landscaping that minimize objectionable glare, especially when adjacent to residential areas
• Parking lots adjoining residential districts must be effectively screened to prevent annoying glare from car headlights

Sign Lighting Regulations

Residential Sign Restrictions

Sign illumination is strictly regulated in residential areas:

• Most residential signs cannot be illuminated at all
• Signs should not create a nuisance to other properties due to their lighting

Permitted Sign Illumination

When illumination is permitted, it must follow specific guidelines:

• Bulletin boards or announcement signs in residential districts may have internal or external illumination
• Projecting signs in residential districts may be lighted only from an external source not visible from adjacent roadways
• Planter signs may be lighted only from an external source not visible from adjacent roadways

Sign Lighting Definitions

The code defines two types of sign illumination:

• Internal illumination: Signs with translucent display faces lighted by sources enclosed within the sign structure
• External illumination: Signs lighted from a source outside the sign structure

Street Lighting Standards

Developer Requirements

As Reminderville grows, new developments must include proper street lighting:

• In residential subdivisions with more than five lots that involve street improvements to be dedicated to the city, developers must install street lighting equipment, fixtures, and facilities
• Street lighting plans require City Engineer approval prior to installation

Technical Standards

Street lights must meet established industry guidelines:

• Street lighting must conform with the existing standards of the Illuminating Engineering Society or standards recommended by the Ohio Edison Company
• The City Engineer has no authority to vary from these standards

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Oil and Gas Well Lighting

For specialized industrial applications, light containment is required:

• All artificial lighting used during drilling or production of any gas or oil well must be:
• Designed, constructed, and located to prevent emission of light upon any property not within the drilling unit

Marina and Dock Lighting

The code makes specific mention of:

• Fixed or floating docks at marinas or boatyards, including their electrical wiring and lighting systems

Supporting Reminderville's Lighting Vision

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands the unique balance Reminderville seeks to maintain between growth and community character. We appreciate the city's commitment to safety and quality of life while preserving its small-town charm.

Local Expertise for Local Needs

Our team recognizes that Reminderville's lighting regulations serve an important purpose in maintaining the community's identity as it grows. With decades of experience in the region, we understand the architectural styles and lighting needs specific to Northeast Ohio communities.

Educational Resources

Rather than just providing products, Bock Lighting serves as a resource for understanding and implementing lighting regulations. We help property owners, developers, and contractors navigate requirements while creating lighting solutions that enhance community character.

Commitment to Community Standards

Bock shares Reminderville's values of responsible development and community-oriented growth. Our approach to lighting design and implementation focuses on promoting safety while respecting the aesthetic qualities that make neighborhoods special.

Conclusion

Reminderville's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to maintaining a high quality of life as the community grows. By establishing standards for everything from construction site safety lighting to residential sign illumination, the city ensures that lighting serves its essential purposes without creating nuisances.

For property owners, understanding these regulations is an important part of being a good neighbor and contributing to the community's continued positive development. As Reminderville continues to evolve from its small village roots into a thriving city, these thoughtful lighting standards will help preserve the charming, small-town atmosphere residents value while accommodating necessary growth and development.