Chapter 1150: Outdoor Lighting

Sections

Cross references

  • Environmental performance regulations - see P. & Z. Ch. 1144

1150.01   Purpose and intent

It is the intent of this Planning and Zoning Code to preserve, protect, and enhance the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of any and all property through the use of appropriate lighting practices and systems. Such individual fixtures and lighting systems shall be designed, constructed, and installed to (i) control glare, (ii) prevent light trespass, (iii) minimize obtrusive light, and (iv) conserve energy while maintaining safety, security and productivity.
(Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)

1150.02   Definitions

  1. (a) Cut-off Angle (of a luminaire) - the angle, measured up from the nadir, between the vertical axis and the first line of site at which the bare source is not visible.

  2. (b) Director Light - light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector or reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens, of a luminaire.

  3. (c) Foot Candle - a unit of illuminance equal to one lumen per square foot or 10.76 Lux.

  4. (d) Flood or Spotlight - any light fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector or a refractor to concentrate the light output into a directed beam in a particular direction.

  5. (e) Full Cut-off or Fully-Shielded Luminaire - a luminaire constructed or shielded in such a manner that all light emitted by the luminaire, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the luminaire, is projected below the horizontal plane through the luminaire’s lowest light emitting part as certified by the manufacturer.

  6. (f) Glare - light emitting from a luminaire with an intensity great enough to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss of visual performance and visibility.

  7. (g) HID Light Source - means a lamp which utilizes a small gas arc discharge or “high intensity discharge” as the light emitter. Examples of HID light sources are mercury, metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps.

  8. (h) Light Trespass- the unwanted shining of direct light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located, also meaning light that is of an intrusive and objectionable nature.

  9. (i) Lumen - the unit measure of light flux or light output from lamps and luminaires.

  10. (j) Luminaire - a complete lighting unit typically consisting of all electrical and mechanical parts necessary for operation including a lamp, ballast (in the case of discharge lamps), optical assembly and enclosure.

  11. (k) Lux - the SI unit of illuminance. One lux is one (1) lumen per square meter and approximately 0.1 foot-candles.

  12. (l) Maximum Mean Average Lux - the maximum average lux level on a surface based upon the average lumen output of a lamp over its life. Average lumen output over the life of the lamp is typically about 75% of new lamp lumen output.

  13. (m) Temporary Outdoor Lighting - lighting that is applied temporarily for construction, safety, seasonal events, or public events.
    (Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)

1150.03   General requirements

  1. (a) Outdoor lighting fixtures installed in all zoning districts other than the Parks, Conservation and all residential districts, after the effective date of this Chapter 1150, shall comply with the following:

    1. (1) Lighting Plans. Full lighting plans shall be required prior to the installation of any lighting improvements or fixtures. Lighting plans shall show the following:

      1. (A) The location and height above grade of the luminaires.

      2. (B) The wattage and type of each light source such as incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, etc.

      3. (C) The general type and appearance of each luminaire such as lantern, globe, floodlight, full-cutoff area luminaire, wall pack, downlight, etc.

      4. (D) Calculated or manufacturer-rated numerical values of total light output (lumens) of the luminaire or luminaires and the light output above a horizontal plane through the optical center of the luminaire if the light output per lamp is greater than allowed by this regulation.

      5. (E) A 2-D or 3-D photometric model that quantifies calculated light output on the property and demonstrates compliance with the regulation.

      6. (F) Building walls to be illuminated by wall mounted or facade- mounted luminaires including relevant building elevations showing the location of the luminaires, their aiming direction and aiming angle (if directional), the portions of the building walls to be illuminated, and their color.

    2. (2) Where used for safety or security purposes, only fully shielded luminaires shall be utilized.

    3. (3) The cut-off angle or placement of all luminaires will be such that the level of lighting shall not exceed 11 1ux at any property line measured by meter line of sight to any luminaire. Other than light incidental to fully shielded lighting, no direct light will be allowed to trespass onto other properties.

    4. (4) Island canopy ceiling fixtures shall be recessed so that direct light cannot radiate onto adjacent properties or roadways.

    5. (5) With the exception of flag lighting, ground level signs, any decorative lighting mounted as shielded sconces (emitting a maximum of 3,000 lumens each) on building side walls, no lighting may be pointed in an upward direction.

    6. (6) All non-residential lighting will be designed to provide average lux levels at ground level in keeping with the recommended averages published in RP-33 Lighting for Exterior Environments and RP-20 Light for Parking Facilities by the IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America), and all institutional, industrial and business district lighting will be designed to achieve no more than a maximum mean average equal to 200% of recommended averages or maximums. Average lux levels in excess of 300% of recommended averages or maximum at ground level will be in non-conformance with this Chapter. Parking lot lighting shall not exceed more than a maximum mean average of 50 lux at ground level.

    7. (7) All outdoor light pole fixtures shall not be taller than the buildings it serves or 30 feet, whichever is shorter.

  2. (b) Outdoor lighting fixtures installed in the Conservation, Parks, and all residential districts after the effective date of this Chapter shall comply with the following:

    1. (1) All HID lighting (including mercury vapor) will have full cut-off fixtures or be shielded to prevent the trespass of glare from direct light onto adjacent properties.

    2. (2) All exterior lighting shall be designed and installed to avoid glare and light trespass on adjoining properties and public rights of way.

    3. (3) The total light output of all exterior lighting shall not exceed 75,000 lumens. Total lumens shall be calculated by adding the manufacturer initial lumen rating for each lamp type to obtain a total lumen value.

    4. (4) Wall or Facade Mounted Lighting. Wall mounted fixtures and/or facade mounted luminaires shall be used solely for illuminating entrances and walkways and shall not be used or designed for building architectural illumination.

    5. (5) Driveway Lighting. Driveway and parking area lighting shall be limited to low- mounted luminaires only. Low-mounted lighting is defined as lighting where the optical center of the luminaire is no more than 2 feet above driveway grade.

      1. (A) If lanterns or unshielded luminaires utilizing clear, diffusing or prismatic lenses are installed, the incandescent lamp wattage is limited to 25 watts per enclosure or the equivalent light output for other light sources.

      2. (B) If fully-shielded luminaires are installed, the incandescent lamp wattage is limited to 40 watts per enclosure or the equivalent light output for other light sources.

      3. (C) The maximum incandescent wattage allowed per linear foot of driveway for lighting is 0.75 watts or the equivalent light output for other light sources.

    6. (6) Area Lighting. Floodlights and spotlights may be permitted for the purpose of illuminating tennis courts or other permitted outdoor uses or activities in compliance with the following:

      1. (A) Luminaires shall be mounted at 30 feet or less measured from the optical center of the luminaire to grade directly beneath the luminaire.

      2. (B) Lamp wattage is limited to 90 watts of incandescent or halogen incandescent reflector (“PAR”) type lamps or equivalent per socket and no more than three sockets per mounting location.

      3. (C) The lighting shall be designed and operated to provide the minimum and no more than 1.5 times the minimum maintained illumination values recommended for the application by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America as expressed in the IESNA Lighting Handbook (current edition) or current Recommended Practice for the application.

      4. (D) Such lighting shall not be operated between midnight and 9:00 a.m.

    7. (7) Landscape Lighting. Landscape lighting is defined as lighting installed and arranged to primarily illuminate “softscape” such as bushes, trees, vines, shrubs and flowers or “hardscape” such as terraces, fences, bridges, walls (non-building), sculpture, water features, ornaments, and formed earth shapes. Landscape lighting may be automatically or manually switched provided that the operating period extends only from dusk to midnight.

    8. (8) Street Address, Identification Signs. Street address, identification signs, and entrance features may be illuminated internally or externally, provided that lamp wattage is limited to 30 watts of incandescent or the equivalent light output using other types of light sources.

  3. (c) The Architectural Board of Review may authorize specific exemptions when the Board determines that there will be no adverse impact resulting from the lighting and that such lighting is consistent with the spirit and intent of this Chapter.
    (Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)

1150.04   Exemptions

  1. (a) Kerosene, propane, battery and natural gas lamps.

  2. (b) All low voltage lighting rated at twenty-four volts or less.

  3. (c) Decorative outdoor lighting fixtures with bulbs that do not exceed twenty-five (25) watts, installed seasonally for one period not exceeding forty-five (45) days during any calendar year, are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter.

  4. (d) Temporary construction or emergency lighting is exempt from the requirements of this Section. Such lighting shall be discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency necessitating such lighting.

  5. (e) All outdoor lighting fixtures existing and legally installed prior to the effective date of this Chapter shall be exempt from the requirements of this Chapter. When existing lighting fixtures become inoperative, their replacements are subject to the provisions of this Chapter.

  6. (f) Special Event lighting for events otherwise approved by the Municipality.

  7. (g) Municipal lighting.
    (Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)

1150.05   Prohibited lighting

This Section identifies lighting applications which cause glare, decrease visibility, produce unattractive lighting environments or excessive light trespass or light pollution. These applications are prohibited.

  1. (a) Unshielded Light Sources. This type of lighting is prohibited except as described herein.

  2. (b) Changing Lights. Lights which flash, move, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or change color are prohibited from being installed on buildings or grounds except for temporary exemptions described herein.

  3. (c) Types of Lamps. Mercury and low pressure sodium (LPS) discharge lamps are prohibited because of their poor color qualities.

  4. (d) Architectural Lighting. Linear lighting such as “rope” light or high-voltage (neon) tubing is prohibited.
    (Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)

1150.06   Nonconformance

There shall be no change in use or lamp type, or any replacement or structural alteration made, without conforming to all applicable requirements of this Chapter.
(Ord. 2019-39. Passed 8-13-19.)