When the sun sets, the right lighting can make all the difference—whether it’s guiding a customer to an ATM or ensuring employees feel safe in a parking lot. But balancing safety while navigating the requirements of city ordinances and local regulations isn’t always simple. For example, across the country, some cities and towns are implementing policies like Dark Sky Ordinances, which aim to reduce light pollution and its impact on wildlife and the night sky. While these regulations serve an important purpose, they can sometimes conflict with the lighting standards that businesses like financial institutions have put in place to keep their customers safe.

So how do businesses navigate these competing priorities? That’s where GMR’s lighting surveys come in.

Why Lighting Surveys Matter

Lighting surveys are more than just checking if a bulb is burned out. GMR conducts comprehensive assessments of outdoor light illumination levels to help businesses meet both safety standards and local regulations. One of the key metrics used in these surveys is the foot-candle, which measures the amount of illumination at a specific reading point.

Financial Institutions, for example, rely on foot-candle measurements to ensure their ATMs, AHDs, parking lots and entryways are well-lit to deter crime. Many businesses have developed company lighting standards to provide consistent environments and promote safety across all locations. However, when a city ordinance, such as a Dark Sky Ordinance, mandates dimmer lighting or early shutoff times, those standards can be put at risk.

Expertise in Action: GMR Stands with Customers

When lighting regulations clash with security needs, GMR steps in to advocate for its customers. That means working with local zoning boards to show why increased illumination is necessary for safety. In some cases, this advocacy results in variances to local ordinances. Other times, GMR helps find a middle ground—balancing compliance with the need for a well-lit, secure environment.

For example, when GMR advocated for a customer at a recent zoning board meeting in a suburb of Detroit, a local resident voiced concerns about feeling unsafe using her neighborhood ATM at night. That real-world feedback helped shift the conversation, leading to a compromise that satisfied both the city and the business.

And in cases where variances aren’t granted, GMR helps businesses document their due diligence and efforts to meet their company lighting standards.

Lighting Surveys: A Smart Investment

At the end of the day, lighting isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting people, reducing risk, and creating a positive brand experience for customers. A well-lit facility can deter crime, improve customer comfort and even reduce liability for businesses.

GMR provides the data and expertise businesses need to navigate complex regulations while ensuring their customers feel safe. Whether you need a lighting assessment for a bank, credit union, commercial property, healthcare facility, or other high-traffic area, GMR is ready to help. Want to learn more about how a lighting survey can benefit your business? Contact us today.