Lighting Regulations in Upper Milford Township, Pennsylvania: Preserving Historical Character While Ensuring Safety

Introduction

Nestled in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Upper Milford Township carries a rich historical legacy dating back to 1733. As the oldest township in Lehigh County, it boasts scenic landscapes, historic villages, and a community deeply committed to preserving its rural and historical character.

The township's lighting regulations reflect this commitment, carefully balancing modern safety needs with the preservation of its unique historical ambiance. These guidelines aim to minimize light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality.

For property owners, understanding these regulations is essential not only for compliance but also for contributing to the township's vision of maintaining its distinctive character for generations to come.

Quick Reference Guide

Key Lighting Requirements in Upper Milford Township:

• Light Trespass: No lighting shall shine on adjacent properties
• Maximum Spillover: 0.5 horizontal foot-candles at residential lot lines (10 feet inside)
• Maximum Height: 25 feet for luminaires within 200 feet of residential lots
• Shielding Requirements: Full cutoff fixtures required for most applications
• Hours of Operation: Sign lighting must be turned off between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
• Prohibited Lighting: Flashing/flickering lights, floodlights for advertising, outdoor lasers
• Special Applications: Specific requirements for canopies, flags, billboards, and various property types

Understanding Light Trespass and Spillover Requirements

Zero Tolerance for Light Trespass

The township maintains a clear stance on light trespass: "No lighting shall be permitted which will shine on adjacent properties." This fundamental rule appears consistently throughout the regulations and applies to various property types, including auditoriums, picnic groves, and commercial outdoor recreation areas.

Specific Spillover Limitations

For institutional, commercial, and industrial properties, the township provides specific measurements: exterior lighting must not cause a spillover exceeding 0.5 horizontal foot-candles at a distance ten feet inside a residential lot line.

Directional Requirements

To achieve these standards:

• Lights must be properly shielded, aimed, and diffused
• Translucent or similar covers are required to prevent exposed bulbs from being directly visible
• Fixtures must be carefully directed to prevent creating nuisances to residents in adjacent dwellings
• Lighting must not shine into the eyes of passing motorists

Fixture Design and Mounting Requirements

Full Cutoff Requirements

The township defines "full cutoff" as an attribute of a light fixture from which:

• No light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane drawn through the bottom of the fixture
• No more than 10% of the lamp's intensity is emitted at or above an angle ten degrees below that horizontal plane, at all lateral angles around the fixture

Height Restrictions

No luminaire, spotlight or other light source within 200 feet of a residential lot line can exceed 25 feet above the average surrounding ground level. Exceptions include lights needed for air safety, lights illuminating architectural features, and lighting for outdoor public recreation facilities or ski resorts.

Pole Protection Requirements

Poles supporting lighting fixtures within (or less than five feet behind) parking spaces must be protected by:

• Being placed on concrete pedestals at least 30 inches high, or
• Other approved protection methods such as steel bollards

Special Applications and Requirements

Canopy Lighting

Any canopy over gasoline pumps, bank drive-throughs, drugstores, or fast-food facilities must have:

• Flat-lens light fixtures recessed into the canopy, or
• Screening by an extension around the bottom of the canopy
• Design elements that prevent lighting elements from being visible from other lots or streets

Flag Illumination

When illuminating flags:

• Lighting of the United States flag is allowed from dusk to dawn
• Light sources must have a beam spread no greater than necessary to illuminate the flag
• Beams must be no wider than necessary for proper illumination

Billboard and Sign Lighting

For billboards and signs:

• Lighting should be attached to the top of the billboard and project downward
• Sign illumination must be directed downward toward the sign area
• Sign lighting must be turned off between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
• Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, scrolling, or moving signs are prohibited

Use-Specific Lighting Requirements

Medical Marijuana Facilities

Several types of medical marijuana facilities have specific lighting requirements:

• All external lighting must be shielded to prevent light from being emitted skyward or onto adjoining properties
• This applies to academic clinical research centers, dispensaries, and delivery vehicle services

Commercial and Recreational Properties

Various property types have specialized requirements:

• Swimming clubs and pools: Lighting perceptible beyond the property line must be minimized
• Tennis courts: No lighting shall shine directly beyond the boundary of the lot
• Campgrounds and outdoor recreation: Must minimize lighting beyond property lines
• Auto repair garages: Must prevent or minimize light interference to adjacent lots

Parking Areas

For commercial, apartment, and institutional parking areas:

• Sufficient lighting for safety purposes is required during hours when the parking area is in use
• Business and multi-family parking lots may be required to maintain a minimum of 0.5 footcandles of illumination during hours of use
• Large developments (over five acres) must meet illumination levels and uniformity ratios recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for New Construction or Renovations

When planning new lighting installations or renovations:

• Include proposed street lighting (or notation stating none is proposed) in development plans
• Specify types of poles, spacing, and intensity of lamps
• For private lighting, establish a system acceptable to the township for maintenance
• Ensure site plans include heights, locations, methods of illumination, and intensity of lighting

Understanding Exemptions

The township exempts:

• Street lighting owned, financed, or maintained by the township or state
• Routine individual porch lights of dwellings (not including directional spotlights or floodlights)

Special Considerations for Business Owners

Business owners should note:

• Neon, argon, and similar gaseous internal illumination is prohibited except within the C Commercial Zoning District
• Flickering and flashing lights for advertising purposes are prohibited
• Non-advertising seasonal lights are permitted between October 25 and January 10

Supporting Upper Milford Township's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, shares Upper Milford Township's commitment to preserving historical character while accommodating modern needs. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer, we understand the importance of balancing safety and functionality with aesthetic preservation.

Our expertise in regional architectural styles allows us to appreciate Upper Milford Township's unique character – from its early Mennonite settlement to its historic villages that reflect over 285 years of heritage. We recognize that the township's lighting regulations are designed to maintain this distinctive ambiance.

Bock Lighting serves as a resource for community members seeking to understand and comply with local lighting regulations. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Upper Milford Township's vision of preserving its rural character while ensuring safe, functional illumination.

Through our experience with projects in historically conscious communities, we understand the delicate balance required to respect community character while meeting modern lighting needs. We're proud to support communities like Upper Milford Township in maintaining their unique heritage through thoughtful lighting solutions.

Conclusion

Upper Milford Township's lighting regulations reflect a community dedicated to preserving its historical character while ensuring safety and functionality. By limiting light trespass, requiring appropriate shielding, and establishing specific requirements for different property types, these regulations help maintain the township's unique rural and historical ambiance.

Property owners who understand and follow these guidelines contribute to the township's vision of balancing growth with preservation. From the specific technical requirements for fixture design to the special considerations for different property types, these regulations provide a comprehensive framework for responsible lighting throughout the township.

By embracing these standards, residents and businesses alike can help ensure that Upper Milford Township continues to shine – but only where and when appropriate.