Lighting Regulations in White Oak, Pennsylvania: Preserving Natural Beauty While Ensuring Safety

Introduction

White Oak, Pennsylvania, a charming borough in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, takes its name from the majestic white oak trees that once dominated the landscape. Established in 1948, this community of approximately 7,630 residents maintains a deep connection to its natural heritage. The white oak tree itself—known for strength, longevity, and versatility—symbolizes the values that shape the borough's approach to development and environmental stewardship.

In White Oak, lighting regulations play a crucial role in balancing modern needs with preservation of the community's character. These regulations reflect the borough's commitment to safety, functionality, and minimal disruption to both residents and the natural environment.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here's a quick overview of White Oak's most critical lighting requirements:

• Shielding requirement: All exterior lighting must be shielded and directed away from adjacent properties and streets
• Light placement: Light poles must be positioned at least ten feet from street right-of-way lines
• Maximum light trespass: Billboard lighting must not exceed 1.5 foot candles upon adjoining property
• Minimum illumination: Certain businesses must maintain minimum illumination of 1 foot candle at floor level
• Prohibited lighting: Roof signs, flashing signs, and festoon lighting are not permitted in any district
• Street lighting: Developers must install borough-approved street lights on all public and private streets

General Lighting Requirements

Shielding and Direction

The most consistent requirement throughout White Oak's lighting regulations is the need to shield lights and direct them properly:

• All exterior lighting must be shielded and directed away from adjacent properties
• Commercial exterior lighting shall be positioned to produce no glare on public highways or neighboring properties
• Light must never shine directly or indirectly upon a highway at an intensity that creates a hazard

Light Fixture Placement

White Oak has specific requirements about where lighting can be positioned:

• All lights and light poles must be located at least ten feet from the nearest edge of the street right-of-way line
• Island lights, RLM dome lights, or similar lighting types may only be used when:
• Mounted at least twenty feet above ground
• Positioned so the beam axis is directed away from highways at an angle of not less than forty-five degrees from the highway surface

Glare Prevention

Preventing disruptive glare is a priority in White Oak's lighting regulations:

• Lighting devices producing objectionable direct or reflected glare on adjoining properties or thoroughfares are not permitted
• Commercial and exterior lighting must be used or located to produce no glare on public highways or neighboring properties
• For sales areas, all lights and illumination must be directed into the sales area and away from adjoining streets and adjacent lots

Use-Specific Lighting Requirements

Parking and Commercial Areas

• All public, commercial, and industrial parking, loading access, or service areas must be adequately illuminated at night while in use
• Lighting in these areas, including sign lighting, must be arranged to protect highways and neighboring properties from direct glare or hazardous interference

Billboards with Display Lighting

Billboards with lighting must adhere to strict standards:

• Must not glare upon adjoining property
• Cannot exceed a maximum of 1.5 foot candles upon adjoining property
• Display lighting must not move, flash, or emit noise
• Must not cause distractions, confusion, nuisance, or hazard to traffic, aircraft, or other properties
• Colored lighting is not permitted for billboards

Specific Business Requirements

Certain businesses have additional lighting requirements:

• Sexually oriented businesses must:
• Install overhead lighting fixtures of sufficient intensity to illuminate all patron-accessible areas
• Maintain minimum illumination of 1 foot candle measured at floor level
• Ensure this illumination is maintained whenever patrons are present
• For outdoor sales areas:
• All lights must be directed into the sales area
• No strings of lights, flags, flashers, or display paraphernalia are permitted

Sign Lighting Regulations

Types of Sign Illumination

White Oak classifies illuminated signs into specific categories:

• Directly illuminated signs: Signs designed to give forth artificial light directly through transparent or translucent material
• Indirectly illuminated signs: Signs illuminated with light shielded so no direct rays are visible elsewhere on the lot
• Flashing signs: Illuminated signs where artificial light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color

Prohibited Sign Lighting

Several types of sign lighting are explicitly prohibited:

• Roof signs, flashing signs, and festoon lighting are not permitted in any district
• Festoon lighting (groups of incandescent bulbs hung or strung overhead or used to outline structures) is not allowed

Street Lighting Requirements

Developer Responsibilities

Developers in White Oak have specific obligations regarding street lighting:

• Must install street lights of a type approved by the Borough
• Lights must be installed on poles prescribed by the Borough
• Installation required on all public and private streets
• All costs (lights, poles, and installation) must be assumed by the developer
• In areas without utility poles, developers must install poles for community lighting at their expense

Specifications

The borough maintains oversight of street lighting specifications:

• The number, location, size, and specifications for lighting poles are designated by the Borough Engineer or other official designated by Borough Council
• Installation must comply with Borough construction standards

What Property Owners Should Know

Understanding White Oak's lighting regulations helps property owners avoid compliance issues while contributing to the community's character:

Key Considerations for Property Owners

• Directional shielding is the most consistent requirement across all property types
• When installing outdoor lighting, ensure fixtures are positioned to prevent light trespass
• Remember that light poles must maintain a minimum 10-foot distance from street right-of-way lines
• For commercial properties, ensure parking areas are adequately illuminated while preventing glare on adjacent properties
• When applying for permits, include location and specifications for lighting of parking areas and walkways in your plans

Special Considerations

• If your property is near the Inter County Airport, additional lighting restrictions may apply to prevent interference with airport operations
• Different zoning areas may have specific lighting requirements, particularly for special uses like nursing homes, clubs, or mortuaries

Supporting White Oak's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands the unique balance White Oak strives to achieve between modern lighting needs and preserving the borough's natural character.

With an appreciation for communities named after significant natural features, like White Oak's namesake trees, Bock Lighting recognizes how important it is to implement lighting that respects both the functional needs of residents and the aesthetic character of the community.

As a regional manufacturer familiar with the architectural styles and community values of Western Pennsylvania, Bock's experience includes helping municipalities maintain their distinctive character through appropriate lighting solutions that comply with local regulations while enhancing community safety and ambiance.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for understanding how lighting choices impact community character. Just as White Oak values its natural heritage, Bock values creating lighting solutions that complement rather than detract from that heritage.

Conclusion

White Oak's lighting regulations reflect the borough's commitment to preserving its natural character while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and businesses. The emphasis on shielded fixtures, appropriate positioning, and glare prevention demonstrates a balanced approach to modern lighting needs.

By following these regulations, property owners contribute to maintaining White Oak's distinctive character—a community that values its connection to the white oak trees that inspired its name and continues to prioritize harmonious development that respects both neighbors and the natural environment.

These regulations help ensure that White Oak remains illuminated in ways that enhance safety and functionality while preserving the character and tranquility that make this borough a special place to live and work.