(1) Purpose. 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 night time safety, utility, security and productivity.
(2) Exemptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
(a) Temporary outdoor lighting used during customary holiday seasons.
(b) 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.
(d) Emergency lighting by police, fire, and rescue authorities.
(3) Non-conforming uses.
(a) Existing fixtures. All outdoor lighting fixtures existing and legally installed prior to March 10, 2003 are exempt from regulations of this section but shall comply with the following requirements for glare: 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 flood lights 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 one foot candle (meter reading) as measured from the right-of-way line of said street. Any light or combination of lights which cast light on residential property shall not exceed four-tenths foot candles (meter reading) as measured from said property.
(b) New fixtures. Whenever a light fixture that was existing prior to March 10, 2003 is replaced by a new outdoor light fixture, the provisions of this section shall be complied with.
(4) Intensity. No light source or combination thereof which cast light on a public street shall exceed one foot candle (meter reading) as measured from the right-of-way line of said street nor shall any light source or combination thereof which cast light on adjacent property exceed four-tenths foot candles (meter reading) as measured at the lot line per the method outlined in division (5) below.
(5) Method of measuring light intensity. The foot candle level of a light source shall be taken after dark with the light meter held six 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 two readings will be identified as the light intensity.
(6) Performance standards.
(a) Rural, residential, public, and semi-public district standards. In all residential, rural and public/semi-public districts, any lighting used to illuminate a structure, an off-street parking area, or other area shall be arranged as to deflect light away from any adjoining residential property or from any public right-of-way. All lighting shall be installed in compliance with the following provisions:
1. The light source shall be hooded or controlled so as not to light adjacent property in excess of the maximum intensity defined by this chapter.
2. Bare light bulbs shall not be permitted in view of adjacent property or public right-of-way, unless part of a permanent or decorative fixture.
(b) Business and industrial district standards. Any lighting used to illuminate a structure, an off-street parking area, or other area shall be arranged so as to deflect light away from any adjoining property or from any public right-of-way. All lighting shall be installed in compliance with the following provisions:
1. The luminaire shall contain a cutoff which directs and cuts off the light at an angle of 90 degrees or less.
2. Architectural/historical light fixtures that feature globes that are not shielded, or lighting of entire facades or architectural features of a building may be approved by the Zoning Administrator. In no case shall the light affect adjacent property in excess of the maximum intensity defined in division (4) above of this section.
3. The maximum height of the fixture and pole above the ground grade permitted for light sources is 30 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.
4. Location.
a. The outdoor light fixture setback shall be ten feet from a street right-of-way and five feet from an interior side or rear lot line.
b. No light source shall be located on the roof unless said light enhances the architectural features of the building and is approved by Zoning Administrator.
5. Hours.
a. The use of outdoor lighting for parking lots serving commercial and industrial businesses shall be turned off one hour after closing, except for approved security lighting.
b. All illuminated on-premise signs for advertising purposes shall be turned off between 12:00 a.m. and sunrise except that said signs may be illuminated while the business facility on the premise is open for service.
6. Direct or reflected glare from high temperature processes such as combustion or welding shall not be visible from any adjoining property.
(c) Outdoor recreation. Outdoor commercial or public recreational uses such as, but not limited to, baseball fields, football fields, hockey rinks, and tennis courts have special requirements for night time lighting. Due to these unique circumstances, an administrative permit shall be required for commercial and public outdoor recreational use lighting systems which do not comply with the regulations of this section.
1. No outdoor recreation facility whether public or private shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m., except for required security lighting.
2. Off-street parking areas for outdoor recreation uses which are illuminated shall meet the requirements stated for business or industrial applications as found in division (6)(b) above of this section.
3. The provisions for an administrative use permit per § 1007.019 of this chapter are considered and satisfactorily met.
(7) 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:
(a) Site plans indicating the location on the premises of all illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other lighting devices.
(b) Description of the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other lighting devices (angle of cutoff). The description shall include, but is not limited to, catalog cuts by manufacturers and drawings (including sections where required).
(c) Photometric plans illustrating the light emissions, and illumination field of the proposed site lighting.