(A) General exterior lighting standards. These standards are applicable to all new or replaced lighting in all zoning districts.
(1) Lighting plan. A lighting plan shall be required as part of an application for a development plan, secondary plat, PUD or approved detailed plan. The lighting plan shall include the following information:
(a) A plan that shows the buildings, landscaping and parking areas with locations of proposed exterior fixtures;
(b) A photometric plan;
(c) Manufacturer’s catalog cuts; and
(d) Proposed mounting height of all exterior features.
(2) Mounting height measurement. For the purposes of this chapter, the mounting height of all light fixtures shall be defined as the vertical distance between the adjacent grade level of the surface being illuminated and the top of the lighting fixture (luminaire).
(3) Cutoff. All freestanding lights and lights mounted on walls or facades shall use cutoff, semi-cutoff or full-cutoff luminaires.
(4) Shielding. All lighting shall be fully shielded with opaque material to prevent direct lighting on streets, alleys and adjacent properties.
(5) Use of timers/dimmers. Wherever practicable, exterior lighting shall include timers, dimmers and/or sensors to reduce overall energy consumption and eliminate unneeded lighting.
(6) Light trespass. Light trespass into the night sky and onto neighboring properties shall be prevented through the use of those techniques as recessed lamps (bulb), horizontally mounted lamps with reflectors, glass, polycarbonate or acrylic refractors, louvered optics and house-side shields.
Example of Lighting Trespass by Fixture Type
(7) Electrical service. The electrical service to all outdoor lighting fixtures shall be underground, unless the fixtures are mounted directly on buildings or utility poles.
(8) Holiday lighting. Holiday lighting shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(9) Architectural accent lighting. All ground lighting used to cast light on building facades, building features or signs shall have shields to ensure that light does not project beyond the building or sign, and shall utilize the minimum amount of light necessary to light the facade, building feature or sign. The light fixture and bulb shall be shielded from view of any street, sidewalk or parking lot.
(B) Residential lighting. These following standards shall apply to residential uses or zoning districts.
(1) The maximum height of light fixtures including the base shall not exceed 15 feet.
(2) Light fixtures shall be coordinated and used to enhance the overall design and character of the neighborhood.
(3) Light levels shall not exceed three-tenths footcandles at the property line. Facial identification is possible at five-tenths footcandles.
(4) In the absence of residential street lighting, yard post or wall-mounted dusk-to-dawn coach lights shall be provided on each residence.
(C) Commercial lighting. Street and parking lot lighting shall be part of the overall design concept and addressed as part of the development plan. The requirements are as follows.
(1) Uniformity. Lights shall be arranged in order to provide uniform illumination throughout the parking lot.
(2) Levels. The average maximum maintained illumination shall be three footcandles. The maximum footcandles at the property line shall not exceed five-tenths footcandles. If adjacent to residential district or use, the light level shall not exceed three-tenths footcandles at the property line. If adjacent to an intersection of two public rights-of-way, or at the intersection of a private entrance drive and a public right-of-way, the illumination may be an average maximum of six-tenths footcandles at the property line for up to 75 feet from the intersection right-of-way.
(3) Shielding. Lights shall be placed and employ shields as to avoid glare and direct illumination away from adjacent properties or streets.
(4) Placement. Lighting shall be considered for entrances, drive aisles, parking lots, pedestrian areas and to highlight the building.
(5) Lighting fixtures. All lighting fixtures providing illumination shall be full cutoff, cutoff or semi-cutoff fixtures (most to least restrictive) and directed downward at ground level. All luminaires with these features comply with “dark sky” recommendations for exterior lighting. Refer to Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) guidelines.
(6) Maximum mounting height. The maximum mounting height for street and parking lot light fixtures shall be 24 feet in multifamily residential, institutional and commercial zoning districts; and 30 feet in all industrial zoning districts.
(D) Illuminated canopy requirements. Lighting levels under canopies for gas stations, convenience stores, drive-up banking centers and similar locations shall be adequate to facilitate the activities taking place on the property, and shall not be used for the purpose of illuminating signs. This lighting shall conform with the following requirements.
(1) All light fixtures mounted on the canopies shall be recessed so that the lens cover is recessed or flush with the bottom surface (ceiling) of the canopy.
(2) The lighting of the canopy shall use indirect lighting through which light is beamed upward and then reflected down from the underside of the canopy by light fixtures that are shielded so that illumination is focused exclusively on the underside of the canopy.
(3) The minimum illumination under canopies shall not exceed five footcandles at grade level, and the average maintained illumination shall not exceed 30 footcandles.
(4) Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides of any canopy and the sides of the canopy shall not be illuminated. In no instances shall this be interpreted as prohibiting the placement of signs on the canopy which are illuminated consistent with the standards for sign illumination in this chapter.
(5) Lighting for drive-through bays used for car wash, oil change or similar must be fully shielded as if located outside.
(E) Lighting of exterior display/sales areas. Lighting levels on exterior display/sales areas shall be adequate to facilitate the activities taking place in these locations. This lighting shall conform with the following requirements.
(1) Lighting fixtures. All lighting fixtures used to illuminate exterior display/sales areas shall be cutoff, semi-cutoff or full cutoff fixtures (luminaires) focused directly downward onto the display/sales area. The light fixtures shall be located, mounted, aimed and shielded so that direct light is not cast onto adjacent streets or properties.
(2) Fixture location. All lighting fixtures and mounting poles shall be located within the areas being illuminated.
(3) Light levels. The average horizontal illumination at grade level shall not exceed five footcandles on average and minimum illumination shall not exceed a four to one ratio.
(F) Lighting of outdoor athletic/performance facilities. Lighting for all outdoor athletic and performance facilities and events shall provide adequate light for the event or facility while minimizing light pollution and the illumination of adjacent streets and properties.
(1) Play/performance area lighting. Lighting fixtures for the playing fields and/or performance areas shall be specifically mounted and aimed so that their beams fall directly within the play/performance area and its immediate surroundings and does not spill onto adjacent streets or properties.
(2) Dual lighting system. The use of spotlights and/or floodlights to illuminate the play/performance area shall be permitted. However, each facility shall be designed and constructed with a dual lighting system which permits the main lighting for the event (spotlighting, floodlighting and the like) to be turned off, with an alternate low level lighting system used for clean-up, night maintenance and other activities.
(3) Certified. Limits on light trespass as stated above apply to outdoor facilities. Every lighting system design and installation of this type shall be certified by a registered engineer as conforming to all applicable restrictions of this ordinance.
(4) Maximum levels. Maximum levels of illumination shall not exceed 40 footcandles.
(5) Exemptions. Outdoor athletic fields and courts established as accessory uses to single and two-family residences shall be exempt from these requirements.
(G) Security lighting. Security lighting shall be coordinated with other lighting on the property to the extent possible and shall otherwise conform with the following requirements.
(1) Nonresidential lighting fixtures. All security lighting in nonresidential areas shall be shielded and specifically aimed so that illumination is directed only to the intended area. The light source for any security lighting shall include shields that prevent their light source or lens from being visible from adjacent properties and/or streets.
(2) Residential lighting fixtures. Security lighting fixtures in residential areas shall make use of indirect and reflected lighting techniques to provide soft lighting under canopies, entry porches or soffits.
(H) Lighting of building facades or other vertical structures. Building facades or other structures may be illuminated, subject to the following requirements.
(1) Lighting fixtures. Lighting fixtures shall be located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed only onto the building facade. Lighting fixtures shall not be directed toward adjacent streets or roads.
(2) Lighting direction. Lighting fixtures shall be designed to wash the facade of the building with light (rather than providing a spot or floodlight affect) and may be directed upward or downward onto the facade. Exterior facade lighting shall be contained on the building facade or in the landscape areas adjacent to the building and shall focus on entries and architectural features.
(3) Upward lighting. If upward lighting is used to illuminate flags, only spotlights shall be used; floodlights directed above the horizontal shall not be used to illuminate a flag.
(I) Illuminated signs.
(1) External illumination. External lighting fixtures illuminating signs shall be located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed onto only the sign face, with minimal light spillage. Lighting fixtures shall not be aimed toward adjacent streets, roads or properties.
(2) Internal illumination. Internally illuminated signs constructed with an opaque background and lighter contrasting text or symbols are preferred. When within 600 feet of a residential use or district, the average level of illumination on the vertical surface of the sign shall not exceed three luces.
(Ord. 07-16, passed 12-10-2007)