Street Light Policy

Street Light Policy

STREET LIGHT REQUESTS

Residents can request street lighting for the following traffic safety conditions: County road intersections, hazardous curves, end of roadways, and areas with a high accident rate. Public lighting is not provided for private property security lighting problems. Roadway lighting varies throughout the County. Some areas have little or no street lighting and provide a rural country atmosphere while other more urbanized areas have intersection and long line lighting. New developments within the designated development envelope are required to provide specific development lighting. Existing subdivisions that do not meet the current development lighting requirements may purchase lighting through Harford County. Requests that meet the street lighting policy requirements will be accepted by Harford County and will be the County's responsibility for future maintenance and energy costs. Private Area Lighting requirements for areas outside of the roadway right of way should be directed to the Utility Company that services your area.

STREET LIGHT REPAIRS

Currently, the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Delmarva Power. provide street light facilities and maintenance. The dividing line between the two companies is Deer Creek from the Susquehanna River to Rocks State Park and Route 24 north to the Pennsylvania line. You should contact one of these two companies if any street light facility needs repair or maintenance. Please contact the Harford County Street Light Representative to request a modification to an existing public lighting facility or to request a new light installation.

STREET LIGHT POLICY

Intersection Lighting: Normally there are four properties at an intersection that are directly affected by the installation of a street light. 75% of those property owners must agree with the installation and location of the light. If traffic safety issues can be documented, the light may be installed without 75% agreement. Installation is dependent on the availability of funding. County and State Road intersection lighting is controlled by the State Highway Administration, please contact the SHA. County and Private Road intersection lighting is the responsibility of the owners of the private road.
Long Line Lighting: This lighting provides roadway lighting between intersections in a subdivision or urbanized area. If the distance between intersections is between 800 and 1,000 feet, a light could be warranted. Funding for long line lighting is not generally available and would require an outside funding source such as a Home Owners Association or any other individual or group who is requesting the street light installation. This type of installation can only be accomplished in an area where underground electric cable is available. Contact the Harford County Street Light Representative for the cost and billing requirements. The County will assume maintenance and energy costs after the streetlight is installed.
Development Lighting: The developer provides public street lighting as a requirement of the development process. Streetlights are installed at County road intersections, at the end of a cul-de-sac that is a minimum of 500' in length, and between intersections at 400 to 500 foot spacing. Developments with lot sizes that are 2 acres or larger are not required to provide lighting between intersections unless there is a traffic safety issue. If street lighting is an issue with you, ask the builder or the Harford County Street Light Representative to advise you of the location, type and size of any street lighting proposed near your home site.
Security Lighting: This lighting is the responsibility of the affected property owner.
Suggested lighting includes motion detector lighting, dusk to dawn lighting, and private area lighting provided by the Utility Company servicing your area. If the area you want to illuminate is adjacent to a public roadway, you may request the Utility Company to install a Private Area Light attached to an existing utility pole with the light facing onto your property. This type of lighting will require the approval of the County. Check with the Utility Company for current rental rates.
End of Roadway: If the street is 500' or longer to its terminus and 75% of the adjacent property owners agree with the street light installation, a light would be considered, dependent on the availability of funding.
Existing Cul-de-Sac Lighting: If the cul-de-sac is at least 400' in length and 75% of the property owners within the cul-de-sac agree with the street light installation, a light would be considered. Funding for this type of lighting is not generally available and would require an outside funding source such as an Home Owners Association or any other individual or group who is requesting the street light installation.
Street Light Removal: If the light is not required for traffic safety and 100% of all affected property owners agree, then they must submit a petition for removal. Cost for removal will be the responsibility of the petitioners.

NOTE: All street light requests are subject to the availability of existing power sources.

UTILITY COMPANIES
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
To report street light damage or outages or to request Private Area Lighting: Or visit them on the web at: http://www.bge.com/	Customer Service	1-800-685-0123
Delmarva Power.
To report street light damage or outages: To request Private Area Lighting: Or visit them on the web at: http://www.delmarva.com	Customer Service	1-800-375-7117 1-410-287-7170
STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION STREET LIGHT REPRESENTATIVE
Ms. Diane Hines Or visit them on the web at: http://www.marylandroads.com/		410-321-2792
HARFORD COUNTY STREET LIGHT REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. Matthew A. Barben, Engineering Associate 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday Department of Public Works 212 S. Bond Street Third Floor Bel Air, MD 21014 E-mail: mabarben@harfordcountymd.gov		410-638-3509