Lighting Regulations in Swarthmore Borough, Pennsylvania: Balancing Historic Charm with Modern Illumination Needs

Introduction: Illuminating Swarthmore's Historic Legacy

Swarthmore Borough, with its rich Quaker heritage and Victorian-era charm, has carefully crafted lighting regulations that reflect its commitment to preservation and aesthetic harmony. Originally established around Swarthmore College in 1864 and incorporated in 1893, the borough has maintained its distinctive character through thoughtful development practices.

The borough's lighting regulations serve an essential purpose: to ensure that illumination enhances safety and functionality while preserving the historic atmosphere that makes Swarthmore special. With approximately one-third of the borough occupied by Swarthmore College, these regulations help maintain the community's educational heritage and residential charm.

Quick Reference Guide to Swarthmore Lighting Requirements

Most Critical Requirements:

• Light Trespass Limits: Maximum 0.1 vertical foot candle onto residential properties
• Minimum Illumination: 0.75 footcandles required on private walkways and parking areas in AL, AR, and TC Districts
• Sign Illumination: Internally lit signs are prohibited; external lighting must have invisible source and wiring
• Shielding Requirements: All luminaries must have proper glare-shielding; street lights must prevent light deflection beyond 90° from vertical
• Recreational Lighting: Must be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. and cannot be within 1,200 feet of residential uses if on non-residential property

General Illumination Standards

Purpose and Intent

Swarthmore's lighting regulations are designed to:

• Protect drivers and pedestrians from disabling glare
• Prevent nuisance glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties
• Promote energy-efficient lighting design
• Preserve the borough's historic character and night sky

Intensity and Direction Requirements

All outside lighting must be:

• Low intensity to avoid creating a nuisance
• Properly directed to protect streets, sidewalks, and adjoining properties from direct glare
• Carefully arranged to prevent sky glow and unnecessary light pollution
• Shielded so that light sources are not visible from any point off the property

Light Measurement and Technical Specifications

• Maximum Light Trespass: 0.1 vertical foot candle measured line-of-sight from any point on adjacent residential property
• Minimum Illumination: 0.75 footcandles at any point on private walkways and off-street parking areas in AL, AR, and TC Districts
• Documentation Required: 10ft x 10ft illuminance grid plots showing maintained foot candles down to 0.0 foot candles
• Compliance Standards: Must follow current IESNA and ASHRAE energy efficiency criteria

Fixture Requirements and Installation

Fixture Design and Placement

• Each fixture must be:
• Installed at a height approved by the Borough Engineer
• Equipped with proper glare-shielding devices
• Appropriate to its lighting application
• Aesthetically acceptable to the Borough

Installation Guidelines

• Underground Wiring: Electrical feeds for pole-mounted fixtures must run underground
• Setback Requirements: Lighting standards at parking space rears must be at least 5 feet outside paved areas or on concrete pedestals at least 30 inches high
• Business Lighting: No business devices shall shine or reflect light into adjacent residences
• Home-Based Businesses: No outside appearance of lighting is permitted except for a small, non-internally lit sign

Sign Illumination Requirements

Permitted Sign Lighting

• External Illumination Only: External lights may illuminate signs, but the source of light and wiring must not be visible
• Constant Illumination: Illuminated signs must be stationary and constant in intensity and color
• Indirect Lighting: All visible effects of lighting must be indirect with minimal light spillage into the night sky

Prohibited Sign Lighting

• Internal Lighting: Internally lit signs are explicitly prohibited
• Movement or Animation: No flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, or moving lights
• Traffic Signal Colors: Red, green, or amber illumination is prohibited within direct line of vision of traffic control signs
• Back Wall Signs: Signs in delivery areas cannot exceed 10 square feet and cannot be illuminated

Electronic Signs

• Limited Locations: Permitted only in TC Town Center District and IN-C Institutional Commercial District
• Positioning Requirements: Must avoid glare or reflection into adjacent properties, streets, or alleys
• Malfunction Protection: Display must go dark if there is a malfunction

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Recreational Facility Lighting

• Standards Compliance: Must not exceed IESNA standards and must be appropriate to the facility's purpose
• Curfew Requirement: Must be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. (exceptions for ongoing events)
• Location Restrictions: Not permitted within residential districts or within 1,200 feet of residential uses if on non-residential property
• Height Limitation: Maximum mounting height of 70 feet

Mobile Home Parks

• Safety Requirements: Must have sufficient lighting fixtures for safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians at night
• Light Pollution Control: Must prevent light pollution beyond property boundaries

Antenna Support Structures

• Limited Lighting: Artificial lighting only permitted when required by FAA or other governmental authority
• Direction Control: Must be oriented inward to prevent projection onto surrounding properties
• Reporting Requirements: Outages of FAA-mandated lighting must be promptly reported to authorities and Borough Manager

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning and Documentation

When submitting plans for new development or significant changes, property owners must include:

• Complete illuminance grid plots (10ft x 10ft)
• Catalog cuts and photometrics for all proposed fixtures
• Details on glare-reduction devices and mounting methods
• Documentation of lamp lumen ratings, maintenance factors, and IESNA file names

Maintenance Requirements

• All lighting fixtures and ancillary equipment must be maintained to continuously meet borough requirements
• Regular inspection and prompt repair of malfunctioning fixtures is expected
• Changes to existing lighting must be reported if they alter the manner and degree of illumination

Exemptions to Know

• Temporary Lighting: Construction lighting and one-time event illumination is exempt but must be discontinued immediately after completion
• FAA Requirements: Lighting required by federal aviation regulations is exempt from local requirements
• Street Lights: Specific street lighting is excluded from certain regulations

Supporting Swarthmore's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting shares Swarthmore's commitment to preserving historic character while meeting modern illumination needs. As a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we understand the importance of lighting solutions that complement historic communities.

Swarthmore's careful balance between safety, functionality, and aesthetic preservation aligns with our philosophy of responsible lighting practices. Our expertise in regional architectural styles makes us a valuable resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations in historic settings.

We believe lighting should enhance rather than detract from community character. Our focus is on education and support rather than simply providing products – helping communities like Swarthmore maintain their unique identity while meeting practical illumination needs.

Conclusion

Swarthmore Borough's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to preserving its historic character while ensuring safety and functionality. By controlling light intensity, requiring proper shielding, and prohibiting intrusive illumination, these regulations help maintain the borough's distinctive charm.

Property owners should pay particular attention to illumination levels, fixture design, and documentation requirements when planning lighting installations. By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses can contribute to Swarthmore's vision of a well-lit but visually harmonious community.

The borough's approach to lighting exemplifies its broader commitment to thoughtful development that respects its Quaker heritage and educational roots. Through careful illumination practices, Swarthmore continues to shine as a model of historic preservation and community-minded planning.