(A) Exemptions. The following lighting applications are exempt from regulation under this section:
(1) Lighting for all agricultural, single and two-family residential uses; provided, the level of illumination at any property line adjoining an agricultural use shall not exceed 0.1 footcandles;
(2) Pedestrian walkway lighting;
(3) Soffit lighting, provided the light source is recessed or flush with the soffit surface;
(4) Emergency lighting, provided the lights are designed to operate only under emergency or loss of power situations;
(5) Holiday decorations;
(6) Window displays;
(7) Lighting for temporary events, such as fairs, carnivals and similar temporary outdoor uses; and
(8) Ornamental lighting that is incorporated into an architectural design, such as colored tubes, lighting of fountains, statuary or other outdoor art and other building elements (other than signs), provided that the light source is shielded to direct light onto the lighted element.
(B) Prohibited lighting. The following lighting types and methods are prohibited:
(1) High intensity lights such as laser light sources, search lights or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertisement or entertainment;
(2) Any lighting determined to be creating off-site glare that is a hazard to travelers on an adjacent street or road;
(4) Lighting that appears similar to that used for traffic control devices or for emergency vehicles.
(C) Shielding and glare.
(1) All outdoor lighting shall be designed or shielded to reduce glare and shall be placed so a nuisance is not created for motorists, adjacent uses or residential dwellings.
(2) All outdoor lighting, with the exception of those ground-based lights for the purpose of illuminating government flags, shall be directed toward the ground or the article being illuminated and shall not impair the safe movement of automobile traffic on any street. Flag lighting shall be directed to illuminate the flag only and shall be placed so lighting or glare is not directed toward streets or adjacent properties.
(D) General requirements.
(1) Lighting shall be provided throughout all non-residential parking lots. Lights to illuminate parking lots shall not be attached to any building.
(2) Street lighting meeting the requirements of the city shall be required for all roads constructed as part of or in advance of any new development.
(E) Specific requirements.
(1) Under-canopy lighting.
(a) Canopy lighting shall be mounted flush with the canopy surface.
(b) No light fixture shall protrude below the underside (fascia) of any canopy.
(2) Fixtures. Lighting fixtures shall be a down-lighted type having 80% cut off.
(a) Unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission, light sources for area illumination (such as parking lots and outdoor storage areas) shall be high pressure sodium or metal halide. Approved exceptions shall use warm light or natural lamp colors.
(b) Light fixtures shall have a maximum height of 20 feet when located within a residential district and 25 feet when the use is in a non-residential district, but adjacent to a residential district. In all other locations, light fixtures shall not exceed 30 feet in height.
(c) The height of a fixture shall be measured from the parking lot grade to the nearest portion of the light source. No portion of the fixture may extend more than one additional foot higher than the maximum heights specified above.
(4) Illumination levels. Light levels on a site that is subject to site plan approval under this chapter shall meet the requirements in Table 153.172 for the developed portion of the site containing buildings, drives and parking lots.
Table 153.172: Maximum Site Illumination | |
Location on Site | Maximum Footcandles |
Parking lots, loading areas, sidewalks and building entrances | 10 fc |
Under canopies such as gas stations, drive-thru bank porte-cochere | 20 fc |
Along any lot line adjacent to the street frontage | 3 fc |
Along a lot line adjoining a non-residential use or district | 1 fc |
Along a lot line adjoining a residential use or district | 0.5 fc |
(F) Lighting plans. Compliance with the lighting design criteria shall be demonstrated by submitting the following information for as part of the required site plan:
(1) Lighting plan (as part of the site plan package) showing light fixture locations and type designations;
(2) Lighting equipment specifications and data sheets, including fixture height; and
(3) Any other materials or information required to convey the intent of the lighting design.
(Prior Code, § 5.82) Penalty, see § 153.999