City of Hudson, Ohio Lighting Requirements

This guide outlines specific lighting regulations for property owners, businesses, and contractors in Hudson, OH, focusing on sign, building exterior, and parking lot lighting.

Sign Lighting

• External Illumination Only: Most signs must use external lighting with invisible light sources from the street[3] §1207.17(g)(1)A. Internal illumination is restricted to pre-2002 existing signs or large commercial buildings[3] §1207.17(g)(1)B.
• LED Usage: LEDs are recommended for energy efficiency and light trespass control[2]. Must maintain <0.1 foot-candle light spill at property boundaries[2] Parking Lot Lighting Requirements.
• Dimension Restrictions: Sign heights are limited (e.g., 14 ft for projecting signs)[3] Table in §1207.17.

Lighting FeatureRequirementRelated Section

Illumination Type

External

§1207.17(g)(1)A

Light Spill

≤0.1 fc at boundaries

[2] Light Pollution Mitigation

Sign Height

Projection:14 ft max

[3] Table in §1207.17

Exterior Building Lighting

• Facade Lighting: Must be shielded/aimed downward to avoid light spill[3] §1207.14(d)(C). Use narrow-cone lamps for objects on poles[3] §1207.14(6).
• Maximum Wattage:
• • 100W for 16 ft (<4.9m) poles[3] §1207.14(3)
  • 250W for 16-25 ft (4.9-7.6m) poles[3] same section
• Energy Efficiency: Mandatory dimming/automatic controls for signs illuminated >1 hour/day[4] Smart Lighting Standards.

Fixture TypeWattage LimitPole Height

Non-cutoff fixtures

≤200 lumens (1,000 lumens max per fixture)

[3] §1207.14(c)B

Soffit Lighting

Shielded/design compliant

[3] §1207.14(c)C

Parking Lot Lighting

• Footcandle Levels:
• • Low traffic: 0.5–1.0 fc[2]
  • High traffic/pedestrians: 3.0 fc[1][2] (Entrances: 5.0 fc)[2]
  • Parking garages: 5.0–10.0 fc[2]
• Uniformity: Brightest:Dimmest ratio ≤4:1 (open lots)[2]. Motion sensors required for non-security lights[3] §1207.14(5).
• Fixture Regulations: Full-cutoff luminaires to prevent light trespass[3] §1207.14(d)(A).

ZoneFootcandle LevelKey Consideration

High traffic

3.0–5.0 fc

Intersections require higher intensity[2]

Parking garages

5.0–10.0 fc

Stairwells need ≥10.0 fc[2]

Best Lighting Practices

1. Use Dark-Sky Compliant Fixtures: Full-cutoff designs for parking lots[2][3].
2. Timing Controls:Automatic power reduction ≥65% at night for signs[4] Smart Lighting Requirements.
3. Shielding: All security lighting must avoid promoting glare[3] §1207.14(d)(C).

Note: This interpretation is based on the provided city code documentation (HUDSON, OHIO CODIFIED ORDINANCES, January 2025). For official determinations, please consult with local authorities or a licensed professional.