(A) Purpose.
(1) Generally. The general purpose of this section is to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare, the quality of life and the ability to view the night sky, by establishing regulations and a process of review for exterior lighting.
(2) Specific regulations. This section establishes standards for exterior lighting in order to accomplish the following:
(a) To protect against direct glare and excessive lighting;
(b) To provide safe roadways for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians;
(c) To provide for adequate lighting to protect public safety and security of residents of the North Shore Development Planned District;
(d) To protect and reclaim the ability to view the night sky, and help preserve the quality of life of the North Shore Development Planned District residents;
(e) To preserve the quality of the experience of tourists visiting the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and other adjacent wildlife areas;
(f) To protect the integrity of wildlife habitat at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and other adjacent wildlife areas;
(d) To prevent light trespass in all areas of the North Shore Development Planned District;
(f) To promote efficient and cost effective lighting;
(g) To allow for flexibility in the style of lighting fixtures;
(h) To provide lighting guidelines;
(i) To provide assistance to property owners and occupants in bringing non-conforming lighting into conformance with this section; and
(j) To work with Box Elder County to promote the purposes of this chapter.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CUT-OFF ANGLE (OF A LUMINAIRE). The angle, measured up from the nadir, between the vertical axis and the first line of sight at which the bare source is not visible.
FOOT-CANDLE. A unit of illuminance amounting to on lumen per square foot.
FULLY SHIELDED.
(a) Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that no light rays are emitted by the installed fixtures at angles above the horizontal plane.
(b) This means that the shield is not flush or parallel with the light source or bulb.
(c) This is referred to in this document as a cut-off-fixture.
GLARE. The sensation produced by luminance within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility.
ILLUMINANCE. The quantity of light, or luminous flux, arriving at a surface divided by the area of the illuminated surface, measured in lux or foot-candles.
INSTALLED. The initial installation of outdoor light fixtures defined herein, following the effective date of this subchapter, but shall not apply to those outdoor light fixtures installed prior to such date.
LIGHT TRESPASS. Light emitted by a lighting installation that falls outside the boundaries of the property on which the installation is sited. (Also called SPILL LIGHT.)
LUMEN. A unit of measurement.
LUMINANCE. The physical quantity corresponding to the brightness of a surface (e.g., a lamp, luminaries, sky or reflecting material) in a specified direction. It is the luminous intensity of an area of the surface divided by that area.
LUMINAIRE. A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
LUX (lx). The SI unit of illuminance. One LUX is one lumen per square meter.
OBTRUSIVE LIGHT. Spill light which, because of quantitative, directional or spectral context, gives rise to annoyance, discomfort, distraction or a reduction in the ability to see essential information.
OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES. Outdoor artificial illuminating devices, outdoor fixtures, lamps and other devices, permanent or portable, used for illumination or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to search, spot or flood lights for:
(a) Buildings and structures, including canopies and overhangs;
(b) Recreational areas;
(c) Parking lot lighting;
(d) Landscape lighting;
(e) Signs;
(f) Street lighting; and
(g) Display and service areas.
SPILL LIGHT. Light emitted by a lighting installation that falls outside the boundaries of the property on which the installation is sited. (Also called LIGHT TRESPASS.)
(C) Approved materials and methods of installation. The provisions of this section are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of installation not specifically prescribed by this section provided any such alternate has been approved. The Planning Commission may approve any such alternate; provided that, the proposed design, material or method provides approximate equivalence to the specific requirements of this section, or is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of this section.
(1) Shielding. All outdoor light fixtures except those exempted by division (F) below and those regulated by division (C)(2) below shall be fully shielded as required in division (C)(2) below.
(2) Requirements for shielding. The requirements for shielding light emissions from outdoor light fixtures shall be as set forth herein. Shielding of sign, landscape or building facade lighting shall be set forth in divisions (D)(1) and (E)(6) below. Vegetation shall not be considered as a shield.
Requirements for Shielding |
Requirements for Shielding | |
Fixture lamp type | Shielded |
Fluorescent3 | Fully |
Fossil fuel | None |
Glass tubes filled with neon, argon, krypton5 | None |
High pressure sodium | Fully |
Incandescent greater than 100W | Fully |
Low pressure sodium1 | Fully |
Mercury vapor | Not permitted |
Metal halide2 | Fully |
Quartz4 | Fully |
Notes to table: 1: This light source is monochromatic and is the most energy efficient of all. It is a possible choice when used with a quality fixture that controls the light output. LPS lighting should be mixed with another light source for color rendering 2: Metal halide lamps shall be in enclosed luminaries 3: Warm white natural lamps are preferred to minimize detrimental effects 4: For the purposes of this section, quartz lamps shall not be considered an incandescent light source 5: Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding | |
(D) On-site lighting.
(1) Direction. Building/wall mounted and free-standing exterior area lighting shall be directed down and fully screened away from adjacent properties. Sign, landscape and building facade luminaires that are non-cutoff shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors or similar shielding accessories that restrict direct illumination to within the perimeter of the object being illuminated:
(a) Building mounted lighting, plaza lighting, open space lighting, parking lot lighting and landscape lighting: the top of such fixtures shall not exceed 30 feet in height from grade (including the pole base); and
(b) Recreational field lighting: shall be exempt from the height requirement.
(2) Details. Details of all commercial exterior lighting installations require approval by the city’s Planning Commission prior to installation.
(3) Lighting alternatives. Other lighting alternatives that meet the intent of items above may be used with prior written approval from the city’s Planning Commission.
(E) Prohibitions.
(1) Recreational facility. No public outdoor recreational facility shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m., except to conclude any recreational or sporting event or other activity conducted at a ball park, outdoor amphitheater, arena or similar facility in progress prior to 10:30 p.m. No private outdoor recreation facility shall be illuminated after 10:00 p.m.
(2) Outdoor building, landscaping and signs. The unshielded (per division (E)(6) below) outdoor illumination of any building or landscaping is prohibited, except with incandescent fixtures with lamps of 100 watts or less. Free-standing advertisement signs with internal lighting are permitted. All illuminated outdoor advertising signs shall be equipped with an automatic time controller that prevents the operation of the lighting fixtures between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise. Businesses open 24 hours a day are exempt from this curfew.
(3) Mercury vapor. The installation of mercury vapor fixtures is prohibited.
(4) Searchlights. Searchlights used for advertising or entertainment purposes are prohibited past 10:00 p.m.
(5) Light trespass, deemed nuisance. Outside lighting such as lamps, bulbs, lights and all other devices for producing artificial light which shine or reflect light onto or into a neighboring residence or property so as to annoy or disturb the persons inhabiting or using such property is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is unlawful and prohibited.
(a) Investigation and enforcement by the city of violations of this section shall be only upon written complaint signed and submitted by the aggrieved complaining party. The maximum maintained illuminance levels permitted at property lines is set forth herein.
Maximum Footcandles at Property Lines | |
Application | Horizontal Footcandles Measured At Grade |
Property line adjoins a public roadway or public right-of-way | 0.5 footcandles |
Property line adjoins a non-residential property | 0.3 footcandles |
Property line adjoins a residential property | 0.1 footcandles |
(6) Upward lighting, signs. All upward-directed sign building or landscaping lighting is prohibited, unless equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors or similar shielding accessories that restrict direct illumination to within the perimeter of the object being illuminated.
(7) Flood lights, spotlights. Any unshielded (per division (E)(6) above) flood light or spot light must be aimed no higher than 45 degrees above straight down.
(8) Cut-off wall packs. Non cut-off wall packs are prohibited.
(9) Drop lenses. Drop lenses that change a luminaire from cutoff to non-cutoff are prohibited.
(10) Tilting. Tilting of existing or new fixtures that change a cutoff fixture to non-cutoff is prohibited.
(F) Exemptions.
(1) Non-conforming fixtures. Outdoor light fixtures installed prior to the effective date of this section are exempt from the provisions of this section; provided, however, that, no change in use, replacement, structural alteration or restoration of outdoor light fixtures shall be made unless it thereafter conforms to the provisions of this section. Routine maintenance activities shall be allowed and include the following: replacement of lamps, replacement/repair of damaged or inoperative luminaire components such as ballasts, igniters, lenses, reflectors, refractors, sockets or photo cell controls.
(2) Fossil fuel light. Fossil fuel light produced directly or indirectly by the combustion of natural gas or other utility-type fossil fuels is exempt from the provisions of this section.
(3) Special conditions. For street lighting in a right-of-way, the City Council may grant an exemption to the requirements of this section.
(4) Construction lighting. Lighting necessary for construction is exempt from the provisions of this section; provided, said lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work.
(5) Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting by police, fire and rescue authorities is exempt from this section.
(6) Holiday lighting. Holiday lighting is exempt from this section.
(G) Applications (commercial uses only). Any person applying for a building, electrical or sign permit to install outdoor lighting fixtures shall, as a part of said application submit evidence that the proposed work will comply with this section. The application shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(a) Plan. Plans indicating the location of the premises, and the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports other devices;
(b) Lumination descriptions. Descriptions of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports and other devices. This description shall include but is not limited to manufacturer’s catalog cuts, footcandle plots (in tenths, example: 0.3), and drawings including sections where required. Footcandle plots shall include listings of average, maximum, minimum, maximum/minimum, average/minimum values, as well as plots; and
(c) Evidence. The above required plans and descriptions shall be sufficiently complete to enable the City Engineer to readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this section will be secured. If such plans and descriptions cannot enable this ready determination, by reason of the nature or configuration of the devices, fixtures or lamps proposed, the applicant shall submit evidence of compliance by certified test reports as performed by a recognized testing lab.
(H) Issuance of permit for lighting on private property. The requirements of this section shall be incorporated into any design review, conditional use review, building permit review or other such land use approvals granted by the City Council, City Redevelopment Agency, Planning Commission or Community Development Department.
(I) Maximum lighting levels. All installations are allowed to meet the Illumination Engineering Society of North America minimum standards, plus 30%, maximum.
(Prior Code, § 29.22.090)