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Outdoor Lighting in Springfield, OH (2026)

3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Springfield, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Dark Sky Rules

In the City of Springfield, Ohio, every new or replacement outdoor light fixture must be full cutoff and downcast, and low-pressure sodium or mercury vapor lighting is banned outright, under Zoning Code § 1118.03(b). Small fixtures under 500 lumens (150 for string lights) at 3,000 Kelvin or less are exempt from the cutoff/downcast rule.

Springfield, Ohio Outdoor Lighting Cutoff Rules

Some Restrictions

Springfield Codified Ordinances § 1118.03(b)(2),(7)

(2) All new and replacement lighting fixtures shall be full cutoff and downcast, except those light sources less than five hundred (500) lumens for individual light fixtures, one hundred fifty (150) lumens for individual lights in a light string (e.g., patio lights), and three thousand (3,000) Kelvin in color temperature are not required to be full cutoff and downcast. ... (7) Light types of li...

Light Trespass & Shielding

In the City of Springfield, Ohio, light spilling onto a residential use from a neighboring property cannot exceed 0.1 footcandles measured at the property line, under Zoning Code § 1118.03(b)(5). The Community Development Director can order fixture changes to bring a site back into compliance.

Springfield, Ohio Light Trespass Property Line Limit

Some Restrictions

Springfield Codified Ordinances § 1118.03(b)(5)

(5) The amount of light trespass projected onto a residential use from another property shall not exceed 0.1 footcandles at the property line.

Billboard Lighting

In the City of Springfield, Ohio, an illuminated billboard needs a Conditional Use Permit for both external and internal illumination, on top of the base billboard permit, under Table 1119.08.1: Billboard Standards. Billboards themselves are barred outright outside the C-LC/C-HC and I-LI/I-HI districts.

Springfield, Ohio Billboard Lighting Permit Rules

Significant Restrictions

Springfield Codified Ordinances § 1119.08(b)(1) (Table 1119.08.1)

Table 1119.08.1: Billboard Standards ... District g R-LD R-HD C-LC I-LI C-DT Requirement i P-PR C-NC I-HI P-DM R-IE General Allowed X X C C X Permit Required - - Y Y - ... Features External Illumination - - C C - Internal Illuminat...