The following standards shall apply to all exterior lighting except public street lighting and other lighting that is specifically exempted by this chapter.
(A) Light sources or luminaries are prohibited in buffer areas and within required setback yard areas except on pedestrian walkways and hike and bike trails or as approved by the city.
(B) Lighting for outdoor advertising shall be designed to function as full cutoff type luminaries. Lighting intended for outdoor advertising shall be directed downward.
(C) All luminaries located on non-residential use properties shall be designed so that the light source (lamp) is completely shielded from direct view of at a point three feet above grade on the property line adjoining residentially zoned property. In all other instances, the light source must be shielded from direct view of at a point five feet above grade on the property line.
(D) All luminaries and controls shall comply with the requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code as adopted by the State of Texas.
(E) All luminaries located on private property shall be designed and/or positioned so that the maximum illumination at the neighboring property line shall not exceed:
Zoning of Neighboring Property
|
Footcandles | |
Horizontal | Vertical | |
Agricultural, Single-family, Two-family residential districts | 0.2 | 0.5 |
Multiple-family residential districts | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Nonresidential districts, streets | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Light industrial districts | 5.0 | 5.0 |
(F) Lighting for canopies covering fueling facilities at vehicular service stations and drive-thru facilities shall not illuminate adjoining properties and the luminaries shall be designed so that the light source (lamp) is completely shielded from direct view at a point five feet above the grade on the property line or facility's boundary line as determined by the city.
(G) Wall or roof mounted luminaries may be used to illuminate the pedestrian walkways, entrances and yard areas within 30 feet of the building. No wall or roof mounted luminaries shall be used to illuminate motor vehicle parking or access unless the Building Official finds the following:
(1) That illumination cannot be achieved by other methods due to site restraints;
(2) That the proposed lighting is not in conflict with the stated purpose;
(3) That the proposed lighting will not unreasonably harm or restrict public health, safety and welfare or create a nuisance; and
(4) The proposed lighting will not result in an impairment of vision creating a hazard for vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(H) Any open area used for motor vehicle parking, storage or access may be illuminated with freestanding luminaries. Freestanding luminaries are permitted to be a maximum of 30 feet in height including base. When a luminary is located within 100 feet of residential property, the maximum permitted luminary’s height shall be 20 feet. All luminaries must have a total cutoff angle equal to or less than 90 degrees. The use of luminaries with a cutoff angle greater than 90 degrees shall be permitted only when the Building Official finds the following:
(1) That the proposed lighting is not in conflict with the stated purpose;
(2) That the proposed lighting will not unreasonably harm or restrict public health, safety and welfare or create a nuisance; and
(3) The proposed lighting will not result in an impairment of vision creating a hazard for vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(I) Externally illuminated signs, building identification signs and monument signs shall use top mounted fully shielded luminaries illuminating the sign from above or fully shielded luminaries illuminating the sign from below and located so as to limit the illumination to the sign surface only and to minimize spill-light and glare.
(J) Luminaries used to illuminate flags, statues or objects mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform shall use a very narrow beam distribution for the purpose of confining the illumination to the object of interest and minimize spill-light and glare.
(K) Building facades and architectural features of buildings may be floodlighted when the following conditions are met:
(1) Floodlight luminaries are equipped with shields and are located so as to limit the luminaries' illumination to the facade or architectural features only;
(2) The configuration of the floodlight installation shall block all view of the luminaries' light source (lamp) from adjacent properties; and
(3) The maximum luminance of any floodlighted surfaces does not exceed the footcandles recommended in the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Lighting Handbook for floodlighting surfaces.
(L) Recreational and sporting areas, both public and private, may be lighted when the following conditions are met:
(1) Illumination levels exceeding the recommended levels in the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Lighting Handbook must be approved by the city;
(2) Luminaries shall be fully shielded, or be provided with sharp cutoff capability and aimed so as to minimize up light, spill-light and glare; and
(3) Luminaries for recreational and sporting events may operate from dusk until 11:00 p.m. except to conclude a specific recreational or sporting event, tournament or similar activity which was in progress prior to 11:00 p.m. and for facilities owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the city, light usage may be extended to allow activities to begin after 11:00 p.m.
(Ord. O-2008-025, passed 9-9-08)