A. All exterior lighting shall be regulated to eliminate light spillover and glare on motor vehicle operators, pedestrians, and land uses within the light source's proximity. Safety considerations are the basis of the following regulations, especially with respect to motor vehicles. In other cases, the regulations protect against both nuisance and hazard aspects of glare or excess light.
B. Any time exterior lighting is installed or substantially modified and whenever a building permit is sought, an exterior lighting plan shall be submitted to the planning director to determine whether the lighting requirements have been met and that adjoining property will not be adversely impacted by the proposed lighting. The lighting plan shall indicate the types and heights of luminaires to be used and submit an illumination level plan showing the illumination at ten foot (10') intervals.
C. There are two (2) types of nonresidential lighting sources available (see figure A, "Types Of Light Sources Or Luminaires", of this section). One is a fixture having no cutoff, directing the light to limit view of the light source or luminaire. The second is a cutoff fixture, shielding the light source from view. The maximum permitted illumination and the maximum permitted luminaire height shall conform with this section. All nonresidential property shall meet the following lighting standards:
FIGURE A
TYPES OF LIGHT SOURCES OR LUMINAIRES
D. All fixtures shall be "cutoff" fixtures that limit lighting that is visible or measurable at the property line. "No cutoff" fixtures may be used only for decorative purposes, provided:
1. They have luminaires that produce no more than one thousand five hundred (1,500) lumens (approximately equal to a 100W incandescent bulb);
2. They have a maximum height of fifteen feet (15'); and
3. They use energy efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescent (CF).
E. If abutting or nearby properties zoned for residential use, cutoff fixtures shall be used so that the light source cannot be seen from the residential property, except as provided in subsection D of this section.
F. The maximum illumination at a property line abutting or across the street from residential zoning shall not exceed two-tenths (2/10) foot-candle. On abutting nonresidential properties or public streets, the maximum illumination at the property line shall not exceed five (5) foot-candles.
G. The maximum illumination at any point on the property shall not exceed sixty (60) foot-candles. If additional light is necessary, it shall be provided within an enclosed structure.
H. Canopy lighting for uses that have sheltered outside work or service areas, such as gas stations, shall not exceed the maximum intensity of subsection G of this section. The luminaires shall be recessed into the canopy so they cannot be viewed from off site from an eye height of four feet (4') to protect automobile drivers from glare.
I. Outside wall mounted lighting shall also comply with the standards of this chapter, except that lighting that is required by the federal aviation administration shall comply with federal standards.
J. Shielded spots shall be screened by evergreen landscaping, walls, berms, or cutoff shielding so the light source is not visible off site. In most cases, a combination of cutoff shielding and a landscape or other feature will be needed to provide the necessary screening. Figure B, "Shielded Spots", of this section provides an example of how this objective is to be accomplished.
FIGURE B
SHIELDED SPOTS
K. The city may require the modification or removal or limited operation of existing or new lighting fixtures found to be a public hazard or public nuisance according to the following criteria:
1. Light trespass or glare which is sufficiently intense or contrasts excessively with surrounding illumination, regardless of the intensity of the surrounding illumination, in a manner to cause impairment of visual performance or to distract from or impair the safe operation of a vehicle.
2. Light trespass or glare that impairs a person's visual performance or ability to avoid obstacles in their path.
3. Light trespass or glare that deprives an owner or occupant of usual and reasonable use and enjoyment of a property.
4. A high frequency and/or duration of periods when light trespass or glare is sufficient to interrupt or interfere with usual and reasonable use and enjoyment of a property.
5. Light trespass or glare that causes visual discomfort or impairment of visual performance in a manner that deprives any person from the usual and reasonable enjoyment of the public streets and properties of the city. (Ord. 09-04-15, 4-21-2015)