Street lighting is a service that impacts crime reduction and safety in communities. Studies conducted in Kansas City and Washington, D.C. showed a reduction in crime when more street lights were added.

The purpose of the City of Fayetteville's Uniform Street and Thoroughfare & Lighting Ordinance is to establish uniformity for the location of lights, as well as how the lights are paid for. A revision to the ordinance was approved April 26, 2011 by the Fayetteville City Council. A link to the City's Uniform Street and Thoroughfare & Lighting Ordinance is below:

City's Uniform Street and Thoroughfare & Lighting Ordinance

Approximately 7,000 Progress Energy customers, who are Fayetteville citizens, will be part of a process that requires citizens to pay for residential street light service. This change only applies to Progress Energy customers who reside within the city limits of Fayetteville. Before this change, a number of Progress Energy customers were already paying fees for street lights, while some customers were not being charged, creating an equity issue. Other utilities include street light charges on customer bills.

From late December to early January, the customers will begin being charged for their street light service. Depending on where those customers fall within the billing cycle, it could be up to 30 days before they see the charge reflected on their bill.

The charge for residents in the impacted subdivisions can be seen by clicking here.   The range in cost is based on the number of customers served by each street light. Progress Energy is still setting up the billing process and identifying the customers served by overhead or underground lines.

If a resident needs additional lighting to their residential neighborhood, they can contact the City, (910) 433-1656, and the City can investigate the situation to see if it meets the uniform street lighting code.  If the lights do not meet that code, the City can notify the utility provider, but it would be a monthly cost for the citizen to install and maintain the light through the utility provider.  On thoroughfares, the City would investigate the lights and, if more lights are needed, the City would have to pay for them.

The Uniform Street and Thoroughfare & Lighting Ordinance is a high priority item on the Policy Agenda for the City of Fayetteville's FY2012 Strategic Plan.

Progress Energy is regulated by the Utilities Commission. In order for Progress Energy to comply with the City’s Uniform Street and Thoroughfare & Lighting Ordinance, they filed an amendment to its existing tariff with the Commission. In February 2011, the Commission raised questions about the wording of the City’s ordinance as it pertains to directing Progress Energy to bill customers for street lighting services. In April 2011, as mentioned above, Council adopted the minor ordinance revision, which allows Progress Energy to proceed.

For questions about the Uniform Street and Thoroughfare & Lighting Ordinance, call the City of Fayetteville at (910) 433-1FAY (1329).  For questions about your Progress Energy bill, call Progress Energy at (800) 452-2777.