Marion, OH Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

The City of Marion, Ohio writes its light trespass rule into the zoning chapter on special uses, not into a general lighting ordinance. Section 1163.021 sets requirements for all uses listed in §§ 1163.022 through 1163.025: automobile service stations, automobile repair garages and sales establishments, commercial parking lots and parking areas serving commercial or industrial uses, and drive-in and drive-through establishments. For any such use involving the open air parking, storage, display, sale or servicing of automotive vehicles, or involving drive-in or drive-through establishments, the area devoted to open air use must meet division (B).

Division (B)(1) is the lighting rule: all lighting for night use or for security shall be so arranged that no source of light will be directly visible from any lot in a Residential District. The test is visibility of the light source from the residential lot, so shielding, aiming and mounting height decide compliance. Division (B)(2) adds surfacing and drainage in the manner specified in § 1153.034, and division (A) bars a vehicular entrance or exit within 200 feet of a school or playground on the same block front in a Residential District. Under § 1163.024, parking lots with capacity for 25 vehicles or more must also comply with the § 1163.023 requirements for repair garages and sales establishments.

Illuminated signs have their own neighbor-protection rules. Section 1161.042(E) requires the source of illumination of an advertising sign to be shielded or otherwise prevented from beaming into adjacent lots or streets. Under § 1161.027(B), signs lit in residential districts must have the light source wholly enclosed within the sign structure, with no flood lighted signs. Section 1161.011(E) bars a flashing device noticeable from within an adjoining R, O-I or O-I-A district for signs in C or I districts within 100 feet. The Safety/Service Director enforces the zoning code under § 1175.01.