Oregon, OH Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture type required
- Full cut-off fixtures (non-decorative)
- Color temperature cap
- 4,000 Kelvin maximum
- Lot-line limit, residential side
- 0.3 foot-candles
- Lot-line limit, other uses
- 1.0 foot-candle
- After-hours rule
- Non-essential lighting off after hours near single-family
- Prohibited
- Search lights, beacons, laser lights
Summary
In the City of Oregon, Ohio's Advanced Manufacturing District, Codified Ordinances Section 1145.08 requires full cut-off light fixtures, caps color temperature at 4,000 Kelvin, bans search lights and beacons, and limits illumination at the property line to 0.3 foot-candles next to residential zoning and 1.0 foot-candle elsewhere.
(c) Prohibited Lighting: Search lights, beacons, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity or flashing lights are prohibited, except in emergencies by police and/or fire department personnel. (d) Types of Fixtures: All light fixtures shall be full cut-off type fixtures except for decorative light fixtures. ... (f) Kelvin Levels: The color temperature for each light shall not exceed 4,000K. (g) Exterior lighting shall be designed and located to have the following maximum illumination levels. The levels shall be measured at the finished grade at the lot Line as demonstrated by a lighting plan: (1) The maximum illumination at a lot line that abuts a lot zoned for single family or multi-family uses shall be 0.3 foot-candles. (2) The maximum illumination at a lot line that abuts any other use shall be 1.0 foot-candles.
Full Breakdown
08 of the Advanced Manufacturing District standards regulates every exterior fixture unless a specific exemption applies. Subsection (c) prohibits search lights, beacons, laser source lights or any similarly high-intensity or flashing light, except when police or fire personnel use them in an emergency. Subsection (d) requires all light fixtures to be full cut-off type fixtures, the type that directs light downward rather than out or up, except for decorative fixtures. Subsection (e) limits fixture height in parking lots to 30 feet and requires canopy lighting to be flush-mounted or recessed.
Subsection (f) caps the color temperature of every fixture at 4,000 Kelvin. 0 foot-candle where it abuts any other use, with lighting design required to avoid both light trespass onto neighboring properties and excessively dark spots that create safety issues. Subsection (h) goes further for any AMD development that abuts single-family residential zoning, requiring all non-essential outdoor lighting, including parking, sign and display lighting, to be turned off after business hours, leaving only the minimum lighting needed for safety or security. Fossil-fuel combustion fixtures such as kerosene lanterns, holiday lighting, emergency vehicle lighting and city street lights are exempt under subsection (b). Ordinance 066-2022, passed March 28, 2022, adopted the entire lighting section.
Violations & Fines
Installing a fixture that is not full cut-off, exceeds 4,000K, or produces illumination above the 0.3 or 1.0 foot-candle lot-line limits is a Zoning Ordinance violation. Section 1105.99 makes the violation a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $100 plus costs, with each day of noncompliance after notice charged as a separate offense against the property owner or tenant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there dark-sky lighting rules in Oregon, Ohio?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oregon
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