Franklin County, OH Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Max at residential line
- 0.5 footcandle average
- Max lighting height
- 28 feet above grade
- Applies to
- Smart Growth Overlay corridors
- Amended
- March 12, 2024
Summary
Franklin County's Smart Growth Overlay requires exterior lighting to be designed, located and maintained so light and reflected glare do not spill onto neighboring property, capping brightness at a residential line to half a footcandle.
Minimize light trespass- Exterior lighting shall be designed located, constructed and maintained to minimize light and reflected light trespass and spill over off the subject property.
Height- The height of any source of exterior lighting shall not exceed 28 feet above grade.
Shielding for tall lighting- Lights greater than 18 feet shall have fully shielded, recessed lamps directed downward to prevent glare and shine above the horizontal plane.
Design cohesiveness- All external outdoor lighting fixtures, which are being used for the same purpose, within a given development shall be from the same or similar manufacturer’s type to insure aesthetic compatibility.
Canopy lighting - Canopy lighting shall be recessed within a canopy and use an opaque shield around the sides of a light. Exterior building illumination shall be fully shielded.
Maximum illumination- The light level along a property line adjacent to a residentially-zoned or used property shall not exceed an average intensity of one-half (1/2) footcandle.
Full Breakdown
The overlay's lighting standards require every exterior fixture to be designed, located, constructed and maintained to minimize light and reflected light trespass and spill over off the subject property. The same section caps light source height at 28 feet above grade and limits illumination along a property line adjacent to a residentially-zoned or used property to an average of one-half footcandle. These standards apply only within the Smart Growth Overlay district, not countywide.
Violations & Fines
A fixture that spills glare onto neighboring property or exceeds the residential-line brightness cap is a misdemeanor zoning violation under §710.01, enforced through the Certificate of Zoning Compliance review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a countywide lighting rule?
How bright can lighting be next to a house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Ohio outdoor lighting overview
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