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

Light spill in Newark is handled by three zoning provisions, each aimed at a different source. Section 1296.09, in the performance standards chapter, prohibits any direct or reflected glare that is visible from any adjoining or surrounding property or from any public street, road, or highway. It expressly reaches glare from security lighting that the Zoning Inspector has determined to be objectionable, so a floodlight on a garage or a commercial building is covered once the Inspector makes that determination.

Section 1290.03(c) governs parking areas: any lighting used to illuminate an off-street parking area must be arranged to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any R-District. That protects residential neighbors of shopping center, church and office lots. Section 1286.01(d) does the same for residential pools: lighting used to illuminate the pool area must be arranged to deflect the light away from adjacent properties.

None of these three provisions prints a foot-candle, lumen or mounting-height figure. The standard is whether the light reaches the neighbor or the street, and for security lighting the Zoning Inspector makes the objectionable determination. The related performance standards for noise (§ 1296.05) and odor (§ 1296.08) use the same adjoining-property test.

Uses already in place are not excused. Section 1296.13 requires uses that do not conform to the performance standards to be brought into compliance within twelve months after receipt of written notice of non-compliance from the Zoning Inspector. The Board can grant an extension or waiver if the owner or operator can demonstrate that compliance would create an unreasonable hardship without providing benefit to adjoining and surrounding properties.