(A) Purpose.
(1) It is the purpose of this section to encourage the use of lighting systems that will reduce light pollution and promote energy conservation while increasing nighttime safety, utility, security, and productivity.
(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
(a) This section does not prohibit the use of temporary outdoor lighting used during customary holiday seasons;
(b) This section does not prohibit the use of temporary outdoor lighting used for civic celebrations and promotions;
(c) Lighting required by a government agency for the safe operation of airplanes, or security lighting required on government buildings or structures; or
(d) Emergency lighting by police, fire, and rescue authorities.
(Prior Code, Ch. 300 § 711.01)
(B) Nonconforming uses. All outdoor lighting fixtures existing and legally installed prior to May 15, 2001, the effective date of this section, are exempt from regulations of this section but shall comply with the previous ordinance requirement for glare as follows:
(1) Deflection of light. Any lighting used to illuminate an off-street parking area, sign, or other structure shall be arranged as to deflect light away from any adjoining residential zone or from the public streets. Direct or sky-reflected glare, where from floodlights or from high temperature processes such as combustion or welding, shall not be directed into any adjoining property. The source of lights shall be hooded or controlled in some manner so as not to light adjacent property. Bare incandescent light bulbs shall not be permitted in view of adjacent property or public right-of-way. Any light or combination of lights which cast light on a public street shall not exceed 1 foot-candle (meter reading) as measured from the centerline of the street. Any light or combination of lights which cast light on residential property shall not exceed 0.4 foot-candles (meter reading) as measured from the property.
(2) New fixtures. Whenever a light fixture that was existing on the effective date of this chapter is replaced by a new outdoor light fixture, the provisions of this section shall be complied with.
(Prior Code, Ch. 300 § 711.02)
(C) Intensity. No light source or combination thereof which cast light on a public street shall exceed 1 foot-candle meter reading as measured from the centerline of the street, nor shall any light source or combination thereof which cast light on adjacent property exceed 0.4 foot-candle as measured at the property line.
(Prior Code, Ch. 300 § 711.03)
(D) Method of measuring light intensity. The foot-candle level of a light source shall be taken after dark with the light meter held 6 inches above the ground with the meter facing the light source. A reading shall be taken with the light source on, then with the light source off. The difference between the 2 readings will be identified as the light intensity.
(Prior Code, Ch. 300 § 711.04)
(E) Performance standards.
(1) Residential/agricultural district standards. In all residential/agricultural districts, any lighting used to illuminate an off-street parking area, structure, or area shall be arranged as to deflect light away from any adjoining residential property or from any public right-of-way in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) The light source shall be hooded or controlled so as not to light adjacent property.
(b) Bare light bulbs shall not be permitted in view of adjacent property or public right-of-way, unless part of a public street lighting fixture.
(2) Commercial and industrial districts. Any lighting used to illuminate an off-street parking area, structure, or area shall be arranged so as to deflect light away from any adjoining property or from any public right-of-way in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) Shielding. The luminaries shall contain a cutoff, which directs and cuts off the light at an angle of 90 degrees or less.
(b) Intensity. Light sources shall not be permitted so as to light adjacent property.
(c) Height. The maximum height above the ground grade permitted for light sources mounted on a pole is 25 feet. A light source mounted on a building shall not exceed the height of the building. In no case shall the height of a light source mounted on a pole or on a building exceed the height limits of the zoning district in which the use is located unless allowed by conditional use permit.
(d) Location.
1. The light source of an outdoor light fixture shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from a street right-of-way and 5 feet from an interior side or rear lot line.
2. No light sources shall be located on the roof unless the light enhances the architectural features of the building and is approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(e) Hours.
1. The use of outdoor lighting for parking lots serving commercial and industrial businesses shall be turned off 1 hour after closing, except for approved security lighting.
2. All illuminated on-premises and off-premises signs for advertising purposes shall be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise, except that the signs may be illuminated while the business facility on the premises is open for service.
(f) Glare. Direct or reflected glare from high temperature processes such as combustion or welding shall not be visible from any adjoining property.
(g) Neon. The use of neon lighting as an accent to the buildings or signage or as a direct source of lighting shall be prohibited.
(Prior Code, Ch. 300 § 711.05)
(F) Outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreational uses such as but not limited to baseball fields, football fields, tennis courts, and snow skiing areas have special requirements for night-time lighting. Due to these unique circumstances, a conditional use permit shall be required for outdoor lighting systems which do not comply with regulations of this section, however.
(1) No outdoor recreation facility, whether public or private, shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m.
(2) Off-street parking areas for outdoor recreation uses which are illuminated shall meet the requirements stated for commercial and industrial applications as provided herein.
(Prior Code, Ch. 300 § 711.06)
(G) Outdoor signs.
(1) Signs not exclusively illuminated internally may only utilize illuminating devices mounted on top and facing downward of the display structure. Outdoor signs constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. All shall comply with all other provisions of this section.
(2) The following outdoor lights are prohibited within the city:
(a) The use of search lights for any business shall be prohibited; and
(b) Flashing lights.
(H) Submission of plans. All applications, except single-family residential, that include outdoor lighting must include evidence the proposed outdoor lighting will comply with this section. The application shall contain the following information in addition to other required information:
(1) Site plans indicating the location on the premises of all illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other lighting devices;
(2) Description of the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other lighting devices. The description may include but is not limited to catalog cuts by manufacturers and drawings (including sections where required); and
(3) Photometric plans illustrating the angle of the cutoff or light emissions, and illumination field of the proposed site lighting.
(Prior Code, Ch. 300 § 711.07) (Am. Ord. 7493, passed 5-15-2001)