November 7, 2024
New Standards Aim to Safeguard Cleveland Parking Lots
Noncompliance with new parking lot lighting rule lighting could lead to fines and jail time
Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance this week requiring outdoor parking lots with ten or more spaces to meet specific lighting standards to improve safety and deter crime. News 5 Cleveland’s Jeff Levkulich covered the story, highlighting the ordinance’s impact on neighborhoods like Broadview Place Apartments, where residents have voiced concerns about poorly lit parking lots and associated security risks.
At Broadview Place Apartments, residents such as Wealthy Gibson have raised issues about inadequate lighting in their parking lot, which they say created unsafe conditions. Management recently installed LED corn cob lamps within the existing shoebox-style fixtures to improve visibility. However, tenants have noted that these upgrades only provided a temporary fix, with lighting reportedly dimming back to inadequate levels shortly afterward. Broadview Place management has committed to another round of repairs to address the issue.
The ordinance, known as Section 352.13, directly addresses such situations by mandating minimum illumination standards for outdoor parking areas. Under the new rule, lots must maintain light levels between 1.0 and 2.5 footcandles, in line with recommendations from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). This initiative responds to long-standing concerns from Cleveland residents about the connection between poor lighting and increased risks of crime and accidents.
Above: Excerpt from Ordinance No. 639-2024
The Councilwoman's Light Meter Moment
Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer played a key role in bringing this ordinance to fruition. As highlighted by Levkulich, Maurer used a light meter—purchased for about $50 from Amazon — to document lighting conditions in her ward and present tangible evidence to the council. During the council session, Maurer displayed the device, emphasizing its role in proving the need for more stringent lighting standards. “This $50 device has become an instrument of change,” Maurer told council members.
Cleveland City Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer used this Amazon light meter to document lighting in her ward that led to citywide changehttps://t.co/j6PDFRvi2K
— Inside Lighting (@InsLighting) November 7, 2024
The ordinance grants enforcement authority to Cleveland’s Department of Building and Housing, along with the City Planning Commission. Their role will include evaluating compliance as part of the permit review process for new lighting installations and investigating complaints about existing parking lot lighting. To support enforcement, officials will utilize illuminance meters to ensure that parking areas meet the specified footcandle requirements.
Non-compliance comes with severe consequences. Owners of parking lots failing to meet the mandated lighting levels face a first-degree misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and a possible 180-day jail sentence. This penalty structure highlight's the city council’s commitment to maintaining safe, well-lit public areas.
Broader Impact and Industry Standards
This ordinance is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and align Cleveland with lighting standards adopted by other Ohio cities, such as Columbus, Toledo, and Dayton. Each has implemented similar lighting regulations for outdoor spaces. By mandating uniform lighting levels, Cleveland aims to create safer and more accessible environments for its residents.
The new ordinance complements Cleveland’s existing form-based code, which already requires specific light levels at street boundaries to control light pollution. Together, these regulations reflect Cleveland’s commitment to urban safety and environmental standards.
As the ordinance awaits the mayor's signature, Cleveland’s parking lots are set to become safer, more visible spaces for residents and visitors alike.
