Neighborhood street lights can be a deterrent to crime, make a street safer for pedestrians and add to the neighborhood aesthetic. If your neighbors want to "light up" the neighborhood, residents may petition the Township to be included in a lighting district.

If a majority of the affected property owners agree with the terms, which include property assessments to cover the costs of the street light installation and ongoing energy costs,  a public hearing for the lighting district is conducted by the Board of Trustees to gain input from all affected. The Board of Trustees can then approve the lighting district if it is considered to be supported by the majority of those impacted.

As of 2018, there are 45 lighting districts in West Chester with approximately 3,000 property owners assessed for the cost of the street lights. West Chester's first lighting district was on Pepper Pike and it was approved in 1976.

Section 515 of Ohio Revised Code addresses all matters relating to Street lighting Districts.