Lighting Regulations in Richwood, Ohio: Balancing Historical Character with Safety and Functionality

Introduction

Nestled at the junction of Ohio State Routes 37 and 47, Richwood maintains a delicate balance between preserving its historical roots dating back to its 1835 incorporation and accommodating the needs of its growing community. With a modest population of around 2,248 residents (as of 2010-2014), this charming village emphasizes creating a vibrant, healthy environment while respecting its architectural heritage and small-town character.

Lighting regulations in Richwood reflect this commitment to community values—ensuring public safety while maintaining the aesthetic quality that defines this historic community. These regulations, though limited in scope, play an important role in preserving Richwood's unique character while meeting the practical needs of residents and businesses.

Quick Reference Guide to Richwood's Lighting Requirements

• Safety Lighting: Required for construction sites, excavations, and public way obstructions
• Parking Areas: Lights must be arranged to direct illumination away from adjoining properties
• Signage: Illuminated signs must use constant intensity lighting (no flashing/intermittent lighting)
• Street Light Maintenance: Trees must be trimmed to prevent obstruction of street lighting
• Manufactured Home Communities: Walkways require minimum lighting of 3/10 foot-candle
• Industrial Properties: Landscaping required to screen lighting from neighboring properties

Safety Lighting Requirements

Construction and Excavation Sites

Public safety is a primary concern in Richwood's lighting regulations, particularly regarding construction and excavation areas:

• Nighttime Protection: All excavations, wells, cesspools, or structures under construction must be adequately protected by suitable barricades and warning lights at night to prevent dangerous conditions
• Tampering Prohibition: No person may destroy, remove, damage, or extinguish any barricade or warning light placed for public protection

Public Way Obstruction Requirements

When work requires obstructing public ways:

• Red Warning Lamps: At least two illuminated red lamps must be installed and maintained during nighttime hours
• Placement: Lamps must be securely and conspicuously posted at or near each end of the obstruction or excavation
• Additional Lighting: For obstructions exceeding 50 feet, at least one additional lamp is required for each additional 50 feet or portion thereof

These safety lighting requirements help ensure that potential hazards are clearly visible during nighttime hours, protecting both pedestrians and motorists from injury.

Commercial and Parking Area Lighting

Parking Lot Illumination Standards

Richwood's code addresses how parking areas should be illuminated:

• Light Direction: Any lights used to illuminate parking lots must be arranged to reflect light away from adjoining properties
• This requirement helps prevent light trespass and minimize disturbance to neighboring residential areas

Industrial Property Lighting

For industrial uses and parcels, the code requires:

• Buffer Requirements: Development must occur in park-like surroundings
• Screening Mandate: Landscaping and existing woodlands must be utilized as buffers to screen lighting
• This helps minimize the visual impact of industrial lighting on surrounding properties

Signage Illumination Regulations

Richwood maintains specific requirements for illuminated signs to prevent visual distraction and maintain community aesthetics:

Illuminated Sign Standards

• Constant Intensity: Any illuminated sign or lighting device must employ only light of constant intensity
• Prohibited Lighting: No sign shall contain or be illuminated by flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights
• Glare Prevention: Illuminated signs must not be positioned to direct beams or illumination upon public thoroughfares in a way that causes glare or reflection
• Traffic Safety: Sign lighting must not create conditions that constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance

These regulations help ensure that signage remains attractive and functional without creating safety hazards or visual pollution.

Street Light Effectiveness

Tree Maintenance Requirements

To ensure proper street lighting functions effectively throughout the village:

• Obstruction Prohibition: It is unlawful to plant, grow, or maintain trees or shrubbery that obstruct the proper distribution of light from street lights
• Clearance Requirements: Trees must be trimmed to maintain:
• A clear height of 8 feet above sidewalk surfaces
• A clear height of 16 feet above street or roadway surfaces
• Branch Trimming: Branches of trees near street lights must be trimmed to allow free passage of light to streets and sidewalks

These requirements help ensure that public areas remain well-lit and safe for pedestrians and motorists.

Manufactured Home Community Lighting

Walkway Illumination Standards

For manufactured home communities, the village code specifies:

• Minimum Lighting Level: Walkways must be lighted by not less than three-tenths (3/10) foot-candle of artificial light
• Walkway Requirements: Paths must be at least four feet wide and constructed of acceptable impervious material with minimum thickness of four inches

This standard ensures adequate visibility and safety for residents navigating walkways within manufactured home communities.

Emergency Preparedness Lighting

Storm Shelter Requirements

For emergency preparedness, Richwood requires:

• Generator Requirement: Storm shelters must have a generator of sufficient size to provide power for heat and light
• This ensures lighting remains available during emergency situations when standard power may be disrupted

Supporting Richwood's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots in Northeast Ohio dating back to 1918, shares Richwood's commitment to maintaining community character while addressing practical lighting needs. Our understanding of small village aesthetics and historical contexts aligns with Richwood's balanced approach to development.

We recognize the importance of lighting solutions that respect Richwood's architectural heritage while providing the safety and functionality needed in a growing community. As lighting professionals familiar with the unique character of Ohio's historic villages, we appreciate Richwood's efforts to maintain its small-town charm through thoughtful regulation.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource, helping property owners and businesses understand how lighting choices impact community aesthetics and comply with local requirements. Our experience with projects that preserve community character makes us a valuable partner for those seeking to enhance Richwood's nighttime environment.

Conclusion

Richwood's lighting regulations, though not extensive, reflect the village's commitment to balancing safety, functionality, and preservation of its historic character. By addressing safety concerns, preventing light trespass, and maintaining the effectiveness of public lighting, these regulations help maintain Richwood's unique small-town atmosphere.

Property owners and businesses in Richwood should be aware of these requirements when planning lighting installations or modifications. While the regulations leave room for individual expression, they provide important guidelines to ensure lighting enhances rather than detracts from the community's character.

As Richwood continues to grow and evolve, these lighting standards will help ensure that development occurs in harmony with the village's historical roots and community values.