Winston-Salem Street Lighting Ordinance Guide
Winston-Salem, North Carolina requires street lighting upgrades to follow city standards for safety, right-of-way coordination, and utility approvals. This guide summarizes the typical regulatory steps developers, contractors, and utilities must follow when proposing new or upgraded street lighting within Winston-Salem city limits, identifies the departments that review and enforce those requirements, and explains how to apply, appeal, or report problems.
Requirements and Approvals
Most street lighting upgrades occur as part of public-right-of-way work, subdivision or site development, or utility-led replacement programs. Typical requirements include design compliance with city standards, approved permits for work in the right-of-way, coordination with the serving electric utility, and inspection before final acceptance.
- Right-of-way permit required for any work within city streets or sidewalks; application and review by Public Works/Transportation.
- Design and materials must meet city technical standards and approved pole and fixture lists; LED upgrades often require specified photometrics.
- Coordination with the local electric utility is required when lights are on utility-owned circuits or poles.
- Plan review and inspection schedule set by Planning and Development Services or Public Works; inspections required before final acceptance.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement responsibility is typically shared between Public Works/Transportation and Planning & Development Services for permitting and code compliance; the City Attorney or municipal code enforcement may pursue violations. Specific monetary fines and daily penalties for noncompliance are not specified on the cited city pages; see the Help and Support section for official contacts and ordinance text.
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence ranges not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, permit voiding, removal or remediation orders, and court action are possible under city permitting and right-of-way rules.
- Enforcer and complaint pathway: Public Works/Transportation and Planning & Development Services handle inspections and complaints; use official department contact pages to report issues.
- Appeals/review: appeals usually follow the city permit or enforcement notice instructions; specific time limits for appeal are not specified on the cited page.
- Defences and discretion: permits, approved variances, or emergency repairs may be recognized; the city typically retains discretion for reasonable excuses when supported by permits or emergency declarations.
Applications & Forms
The primary application is a Right-of-Way Permit or street permit submitted to Public Works or Transportation. Required items commonly include engineered plans, fixture specifications, utility coordination letters, and inspection requests. Fees, form numbers, and submission portals are not specified on the cited page; consult the official permit pages in Help and Support.
Design and Technical Notes
Design standards often reference required lumens, pole heights, mounting, shielding to reduce glare, and spacing to meet pedestrian and vehicular safety standards. ADA clearance and sidewalk integrity must be maintained when placing poles or vaults in the right-of-way.
- Photometric plans and pole schedules are typically required at plan submittal.
- Underground conduit and vault specifications may be required for circuits feeding new fixtures.
- Temporary traffic control and trench safety plans are required for work that affects lanes or sidewalks.
Action Steps
- Prepare engineered lighting plans that reference city technical standards and include photometrics.
- Apply for a Right-of-Way Permit through Public Works/Transportation before starting any excavation or pole installation.
- Coordinate in writing with the serving electric utility to confirm ownership and maintenance responsibilities for fixtures and circuits.
- Request inspections at required milestones and provide as-built drawings for final acceptance.
FAQ
- Who enforces street lighting standards in Winston-Salem?
- Public Works/Transportation and Planning & Development Services enforce permits and technical standards; code enforcement or the City Attorney may pursue violations.
- Do I need a permit to replace or upgrade a street light?
- Yes—work in the public right-of-way generally requires a Right-of-Way or street permit and coordination with the utility that owns the lighting equipment.
- Where can I find approved fixture or pole lists?
- The city publishes technical standards and approved product lists as part of its engineering or public works specifications; check Planning or Public Works pages for those documents.
How-To
- Confirm ownership of the existing lighting circuit with the serving electric utility.
- Prepare engineered plans with photometrics and equipment specifications.
- Submit a Right-of-Way Permit application to Public Works/Transportation.
- Coordinate required inspections and obtain final acceptance from the city.
Key Takeaways
- Permit work in the right-of-way before construction.
- Coordinate early with the electric utility and Public Works.
- Plan for inspections and final acceptance documentation.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Winston-Salem - Public Works
- City of Winston-Salem - Planning & Development Services
- Winston-Salem Code of Ordinances
- City of Winston-Salem - Permits & Licensing