Lighting Regulations in Seymour, Indiana: Balancing Heritage, Safety, and Aesthetics

Introduction

Nestled in Jackson County, Seymour, Indiana, boasts a rich history dating back to its founding in 1852. With its collection of 19th-century buildings, landmarks like the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, and commitment to preserving its unique architectural heritage, Seymour exemplifies small-town charm with modern sensibilities.

The city's approach to lighting regulations reflects this careful balance between honoring historical character and meeting contemporary needs. These regulations aim to ensure safety and functionality while preserving the aesthetic appeal that makes Seymour special.

As the community continues to grow from its current population of approximately 20,000 residents, understanding these lighting requirements becomes increasingly important for property owners, businesses, and residents alike.

Quick Reference Guide

The most critical lighting requirements in Seymour include:

• Light Trespass Limits:
• Maximum 0.5 foot-candles at property lines adjacent to residential zones
• Maximum 1.0 foot-candles at property lines adjacent to other zones/right-of-way
• Maximum Illumination Levels:
• 50 foot-candles beneath canopies, pavilions, or drive-through bays
• 2.5 foot-candles in parking facilities
• 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light for electronic message signs
• Shielding Requirements:
• Exterior lights over 60 watts must have opaque hood shields directing light downward
• Most luminaires must be fully-shielded (with specific exceptions)
• No bare, unshaded bulbs permitted
• Pole Height Restriction: Maximum 30 feet height for pole-mounted lighting

Tree Management and Light Distribution

Maintaining Clear Street Lighting

Seymour's regulations recognize that natural elements can impact lighting effectiveness. Property owners must ensure trees and vegetation don't interfere with street lighting:

• Property Owner Responsibilities: Every owner of trees overhanging streets or rights-of-way must prune branches to prevent obstruction of light from street lamps.
• City Authority: The city maintains the right to prune trees or shrubs on private property when they interfere with light distribution from street lights or visibility of traffic control devices.

Promoting Public Safety

This regulation serves multiple purposes - ensuring adequate illumination for pedestrian and vehicle safety while maintaining the tree canopy that contributes to Seymour's character.

Exterior Lighting Standards

Purpose and Applicability

Seymour's exterior lighting standards (§157.093) apply to:

• All new private development
• Existing developments increasing fixtures by 50% or more
• Existing developments replacing 50% or more of exterior lighting

These standards aim to reduce glare and light trespass, complement the city's character, and provide a secure nighttime environment.

Light Levels and Measurement

The city specifies precise illumination requirements:

• Light levels must be measured with an illuminance meter at eye height
• Maximum permitted levels:
• 50 foot-candles beneath canopies, pavilions, or drive-through bays
• 2.5 foot-candles in parking facilities

Light Trespass Restrictions

To protect neighboring properties, especially residential areas:

• Maximum light at property lines:
• 0.5 foot-candles adjacent to residential zones
• 1.0 foot-candles adjacent to other zones or right-of-way
• If ambient light already exceeds 0.5 foot-candles, developments can add no more than an additional 0.5 foot-candles

Fixture Requirements

The city has specific requirements for light fixtures:

• Shielding: All luminaires must be fully-shielded (directing light below a horizontal plane) with limited exceptions
• Direction: Fixtures must be aimed to prevent glare toward adjacent properties, public spaces, or rights-of-way
• Consistency: Within a development, lighting must maintain consistent style, design, height, size, and color for each lighting type

Parking Area Lighting

Safety and Neighbor Consideration

Parking area lighting must balance safety with consideration for surrounding properties:

• Lighting must be shielded and directed upon the parking area
• Fixtures must not reflect or cause glare onto adjacent properties
• Lighting must not interfere with street traffic
• Bare unshaded bulbs are prohibited
• Maximum illumination level of 2.5 foot-candles

Special Use Requirements

For sexually oriented businesses:

• Parking areas and premises entries must be illuminated from dusk until closing
• Lighting must provide an average maintained horizontal illumination of one footcandle on parking surfaces and walkways
• The lighting plan must be included in the required premises diagram

Sign Illumination Requirements

General Sign Lighting

Seymour's regulations for sign lighting focus on minimizing neighborhood impact:

• No direct light or significant glare may be cast onto adjacent residential properties
• Lighting fixtures for freestanding business signs should be:
• Mounted on top of the sign structure and directed downward, or
• If bottom-mounted, pointed directly at the sign

Electronic Message Center Signs

These signs have specific requirements:

• Automatic dimming: Must be equipped with an automatic dimming photo-sensor
• Maximum illumination: 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light at 100 feet distance
• Hours of operation:
• Signs within 100 feet of residential zones must be turned off between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Signs unable to meet illumination requirements must follow the same hours restriction
• Display changes: Limited to 30 changes per minute during day hours and 15 changes per minute during night hours

Accent and Special Purpose Lighting

Architectural and Landscape Lighting

When illuminating building features, flags, fountains, or landscaping:

• Accent lighting must be carefully located and aimed
• Up-lighting must be directed only onto the intended surface
• Fixtures must not create glare for traffic on streets or roads

Prohibited Lighting

The city expressly prohibits:

• Searchlights directed into the sky
• Aerial laser displays for advertising purposes

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Considerations

When planning exterior lighting for your property, keep these key points in mind:

• Height restrictions: Pole-mounted lighting cannot exceed 30 feet
• Shielding requirements: Lights over 60 watts need opaque hood shields directing illumination downward
• Historical buildings: Light fixture alterations must preserve the historical and architectural character
• Temporary uses: Even for garage sales, floodlights must be directed onto your premises without affecting neighbors

Measurement Standards

Light levels are measured with specific methods:

• Using an illuminance meter at eye height
• On a plane perpendicular to the line of sight
• At property boundaries for compliance with trespass limits

Supporting Seymour's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, understands the delicate balance communities like Seymour strive to achieve between historical preservation and modern functionality. We share Seymour's commitment to maintaining its rich architectural heritage while ensuring practical lighting solutions.

Our experience with regional architectural styles enables us to appreciate the unique character of communities like Seymour, where historical buildings and modern developments coexist harmoniously. This understanding informs our approach to lighting solutions that respect both safety requirements and aesthetic considerations.

As a resource for communities navigating lighting regulations, we focus on education and support rather than simply providing products. We believe in helping property owners understand how lighting choices impact both compliance with local regulations and the overall character of their neighborhoods.

Bock's commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Seymour's vision of controlled growth that respects its historical roots. We recognize the importance of light management in preserving the quality of life that makes small towns like Seymour special places to live and work.

Conclusion

Seymour's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to preserving its historical character while ensuring safety and functionality. By specifying requirements for light levels, fixture types, and light trespass, the city aims to create a nighttime environment that serves both residents and businesses well.

Property owners should pay particular attention to shielding requirements, height restrictions, and light trespass limits when planning exterior lighting. For specific projects, consulting with the city's planning department is always recommended to ensure full compliance.

These regulations ultimately contribute to the well-planned growth and progress that Seymour values, helping to maintain the small-town charm that makes the city special while accommodating modern needs.