For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or requires a different meaning.
DISABLING GLARE. Lighting that impairs visibility and creates a potentially hazardous situation for either pedestrians or motorists.
FIXTURE or LUMINARIES. A complete lighting unit including the lamps or bulbs together with the parts required to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
FULL CUTOFF. A classification for a luminaire designed and installed where no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the luminaire. In addition, the luminous intensity (as measured in candles) emitted at any angle from 80 degrees up to 90 degrees cannot exceeded a numerical value equal to 10% of the lumen rating of the lamp, as reported in a photometric report from the manufacturer as produced by an independent lab. A cutoff, or semi-cutoff design allows a restricted amount of light emitted above the horizontal and a non-cutoff provided n restriction against light emitted above the horizontal.
FULLY-SHIELDED. A luminaire constructed, lamped, and installed in such a manner that all light emitted by it, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing element, or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of the luminaire, is projected below the horizontal. A full cutoff fixture is also FULLY SHIELDED, but without any restrictions on light distribution below the horizontal plane, and it can be identified without a manufacturer’s report.
GLARE. Stray, unshielded light striking the eye that may result in nuisance or annoyance, such as light falling across property lines; discomfort, such as bright light causing squinting of the eyes; disability, such as bright light reducing the ability of the eyes to see into shadows and visual performance; or distracting light which diverts the eye from a visual task.
GRANDFATHERED FIXTURES. Outdoor lighting not conforming to this chapter that was in place at the time this chapter went into full force and effect does not include replacements or relocation of the fixture.
HEIGHT OF FIXTURE. The height of a fixture shall be the vertical distance from the ground directly below the centerline of the fixture to the lowest direct light emitting part of the fixture.
LAMP OR BULB. The generic term for an artificial light source, to be distinguished from the whole assembly (see “fixture”); commonly referred to as the “light bulb”.
LIGHT - TYPES OF:
ACCENT LIGHTING. Directional lighting which emphasizes a particular object or draws attention to a particular area.
DIRECT LIGHT. Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector or reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens of a fixture
INDIRECT LIGHT. Light that has been reflected or has scattered off of other surfaces.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING. The night time illumination of an outside area or object by any man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means. For purposes of this chapter, any interior lighting that is intended to project light outdoors is considered outdoor lighting.
LIGHT POLLUTION. Any adverse effect of man-made light including but not limited to glare, light trespass, sky glow, visual clutter, wasted energy due to excessive or unnecessary lighting, or any man-made light that unnecessarily diminishes the ability to view the night sky or is disruptive to flora and fauna.
LIGHT TRESPASS. Light emitted by a fixture that shines beyond the property on which the fixture is installed. Light levels shall not exceed a maximum of 0.05 lumens per square foot at the property line as measured at a vertical point 5 feet above grade. Light levels shall not exceed a maximum of 0.05 lumens measured at any point on the property line. LIGHT TRESPASS measurements shall be made at the property line with the meter held normal to a line between any offending light source(s) and the light meter.
LUMEN. A unit used to measure the actual amount of light that is produced by a bulb. The lumen quantifies the amount of light energy produced by a lamp at the lamp, not by the energy input, which is indicated by the wattage. For example, a 75-watt incandescent lamp can produce 1,000 lumens while a 70-watt high-pressure sodium lamp produces 6,000 lumens. Lumen output is listed by the manufacture on the light bulb packaging. For the purposes of this chapter, the lumen output values shall be the initial lumen output rating of the bulb, “Initial” refers to the manufacturer’s stated rating for a new bulb.
LUMINARIES. See FIXTURE.
LUMINOUS TUBE. A glass tube filled with a gas or gas mixture (including neon, argon, mercury or other gasses), usually of small diameter (10-15 millimeters), caused to emit light by the passage of an electric current and commonly bent into various forms for use as decorations or signs. A “neon” tube does not include common fluorescent tubes. Neon signs shall be treated as internally illuminated signs for the purposes of this chapter.
NUISANCE GLARE. Light that creates an annoyance or aggravation but does not create a potentially hazardous situation.
REPAIR OF A LUMINAIRE OR SIGN. Any service normally provided by a licensed electrician upon a luminaire or sign. Repair shall be considered to include replacement or modification or any of the following: poles, mounting arms, housings, hardware, wiring, ballasts, lenses, reflectors, diffusers, baffles, shields, sensors, switches, relays, poser supplies, and lamp replacement modules which contain any of the items listed above. Replacement of a user-serviceable lamp will not by itself be considered a repair.
SKY GLOW. The overhead glow from fight emitted sideways and upwards, including light reflected upward from the ground or other surfaces. SKY GLOW is caused by the reflection and scatterings of various forms of light by dust, water, and other particles suspended in the atmosphere. Among other effects, sky glow reduces one’s ability to view the night sky. Different sources of light, in equal quantities, can contribute differently to sky glow.
SPOTLIGHT or FLOODLIGHT. Any light fixture or bulb that incorporates a reflector or a refractor to spread or concentrate the light output into a directed beam in a particular direction.
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR LIGHTING. The specific illumination of an outside area or object by any man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means for a period of not more than 7 days and that occurs only once within a 365-day time period.
(Ord. 663, passed 1-14-2009)