It is the intent of this section to more fully set forth the meaning of certain terms and phrases utilized within the zoning ordinance in order to facilitate understanding of said terms and phrases in the sense intended by the Fairfield Town Council.
For purposes of this Code, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivatives shall have the meanings set forth in this section, unless the context clearly indicates that another meaning is intended. Words used in the present tense include the future tense, words in the single number include the plural number, words in the plural number include the singular. The words “shall” and “will” are mandatory, and “may” is permissive. Words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning.
Direct Illumination. “Direct Illumination” means illumination resulting from light emitted directly from a lamp, luminary, or reflector and is not light diffused through translucent signs or reflected from other surfaces such as the ground or building faces.
Display Lot or Area. “Display Lot or Area” means outdoor areas where active nighttime sales activity occurs and where accurate color perception of merchandise by customers is required. To qualify as a display lot, one of the following specific uses must occur: automobile sales, boat sales, tractor sales, building supply sales, gardening or nursery sales, and assembly lots. Uses not on this list may be approved as display lot uses by the planning director or designee.
Foot-candle. “Foot-candle” means one lumen per square foot; unit of illuminance. It is the luminous flux per unit area in the imperial system. One (1) foot-candle equals approximately one-tenth (0.093) lux.
Full Cutoff Light Fixture. “Full Cutoff Light Fixture” means fixtures that are independently certified by the manufacturers, and do not allow light to be emitted above the fixture, and the fixture reduces glare by limiting the light output to less than ten (10) percent at and below ten (10) degrees below the horizontal.
Fully Shielded Light Fixture. “Fully Shielded Light Fixture” means a light fixture that is shielded in such a manner that light rays emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted. The term “full cutoff” is often substituted for the term “fully shielded.” The terms are not equivalent. Fully shielded luminaires emit no direct uplight, but have no limitation on the intensity in the region between eighty (80) degrees and ninety (90) degrees.
Glare. “Glare” means the sensation produced by a bright source within the visual field that is sufficiently brighter than the level to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility; blinding light. The magnitude of glare depends on such factors as the size, position, and brightness of the source, and on the brightness level to which the eyes are adapted.
Installed. “Installed” means a light fixture attached or fixed in place, whether or not connected to a power source, of any outdoor light fixture.
Light Pollution. “Light Pollution” means any adverse effect of manmade light.
Light Trespass. “Light Trespass” means light spill falling over property lines that illuminates adjacent grounds or buildings in an objectionable manner.
Lumen. “Lumen” means a unit used to measure the actual amount of visible light which is produced by a lamp as specified by the manufacturer.
Luminary. “Luminary” means the complete lighting assembly, less the support assembly.
Motion Sensing Security Lighting. “Motion Sensing Security Lighting” means any fixture designed, and properly adjusted, to illuminate an area around a residence or other building by means of switching on a lamp when motion is detected inside the area or perimeter, and switching the lamp off when the detected motion ceases.
Net Acreage. “Net Acreage” means the remaining ground area of a parcel after deleting all portions for proposed and existing public rights-of-way and undeveloped area.
Nit. “Nit” means the standard unit of brightness for electronic and digital signage. It is a measure of the light being emitted by the sign, in contrast to foot-candles which measure the brightness of the surface area or object that is being lighted.
Non Essential Commercial Exterior Lighting. “Non Essential Commercial Exterior Lighting” means any signs, parking lot lighting, display lighting, exterior building lighting, directional lighting or landscape lighting that is primarily for aesthetic or advertising purposes and does not directly contribute to the safety or security of the premises.
Outdoor Light Fixture. “Outdoor Light Fixture” means an outdoor illuminating device, outdoor lighting or reflective surface, lamp or similar device, permanently installed or portable, used for illumination, decoration, or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, lights used for:
1. Buildings and structures;
2. Recreational areas;
3. Parking lot lighting;
4. Landscape lighting;
5. Architectural lighting;
6. Signs (advertising or other);
7. Street lighting;
8. Product display area lighting;
9. Building overhangs and open canopies;
10. Security lighting.
Outdoor Recreation Facility. “Outdoor Recreation Facility” means an area designed for active recreation, whether publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, parks, baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, golf courses, tennis courts, and swimming pools.
Partially Shielded Light Fixture. “Partially Shielded Light Fixture” means a fixture shielded in such a manner that no more than 10 percent of the light emitted directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture is projected at an angle above the horizontal, as determined by a photometric test or certified by the manufacturer. Luminaries mounted under canopies or other structures such that the surrounding structure effectively shields the light in the same manner are also considered partially shielded for the purposes of this code.
Seasonal Decorations. “Seasonal Decorations” means strings of holiday lights, uplighting or internally lit inflatable or plastic decorations, or other lighting of holiday or seasonal decorations.
Security Lighting. “Security Lighting” means lighting designed to illuminate a property or grounds for the purpose of visual security.
Unshielded Fixture. “Unshielded Fixture” means any fixture that allows light to be emitted above the horizontal directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture or a reflector.
Uplighting. “Uplighting” means lighting that is directed in such a manner as to shine light rays above the horizontal plane.
Watt. “Watt” means the unit used to measure the electrical power consumption (not the light output) of a lamp. (Exhibit A)