The purpose of this Section is to control the installation of exterior lighting fixtures to prevent light pollution in the forms of light trespass and glare and to preserve, protect and enhance the character of the Village and the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of property located within the Village. Appropriate site lighting, including lights for signs and buildings shall be arranged so as to provide safety, utility and security; control light trespass and glare on adjacent properties and public roadways/streets.
(a) Definitions. Terms related to the required exterior lighting standards contained in this Section and this Code shall have the following meanings:
(1) Footcandle. A unit of illumination produced on a surface, all points of which are one foot from a uniform point source of one candle.
(2) Full-shielded or full cut-off type fixture. An outdoor lighting fixture that is shielded or constructed so that all light emitted is projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest light-emitting part of the fixture.
(3) Glare. Direct light that causes unreasonable annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility.
(4) Light trespass. Artificial light in sufficient quantity that crosses over property boundaries, impacts surfaces, and produces a negative response in persons owning or using the violated space.
(5) Lumen. The unit measure of light flux or light output from lamps and luminaires.
(6) Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source and all necessary mechanical, electrical, and decorative parts.
(b) Exterior Lighting Plan. A lighting plan is required for all uses that are required to submit a development plan, except single-family detached and cluster single-family detached dwellings, and shall be approved according to the procedures set forth in Chapter 1127, Development Plan Review Procedures. All existing uses on which exterior lighting is installed or changed shall conform to these standards. The lighting plan shall demonstrate compliance with the exterior lighting standards of this sub-section, and shall include the following items:
(1) A development plan showing location of all exterior light fixtures, controllers, and transformers.
(2) Property boundaries, building location(s), parking lot layout, pedestrian paths, and adjacent rights of way.
(3) Specifications and drawings or photographs for all exterior light fixture types, poles, conduit and appurtenant construction.
(4) Specifications of all proposed luminaires.
(5) A 2-D or 3-D Photometric model that quantifies predicted light output on the property and demonstrates there is no light trespass.
(6) Cut sheets for all proposed exterior light fixtures and poles.
(7) Any other information and data reasonably necessary to evaluate the required lighting plan.
(c) General Requirements for All Uses.
(1) All lighting shall be controlled in such a way as to not project into the sky or at any other residential property. This shall be accomplished by the use of fully shielded cut-off fixtures, directing light fixtures downward rather than upward, or shielding the light in such a way that the light-emitting portion of the fixture is not visible from normal viewing positions on adjacent properties or inside contiguous dwellings. Luminaires may not be so bright as to penetrate neighboring windows and project light onto interior walls.
(2) Where used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways, roadways, streets, equipment yards and parking lots, only fully shielded cut-off style light fixtures shall be utilized.
(3) All forms of flashing, rotating, moving, or digital lights shall be prohibited.
(4) The illumination level at the property line of a parcel adjacent to a residence shall not exceed zero (0) foot-candles attributable to artificial light.
(5) In addition to the requirements set forth in this Section, outdoor lighting fixtures shall be installed in conformance with all other applicable provisions of the codified ordinances of the Village of Moreland Hills, Ohio.
(6) Where used to illuminate signs or for decorative effects or recreational facilities, such as for building, landscape, or recreational field illumination, all outdoor light fixtures shall be shielded and focused to avoid light trespass onto neighboring properties or into the night sky.
A. Where landscape illumination is concerned, landscape uplights are permitted either below or above ground. Above ground luminaires shall only be aimed between zero (0) and twenty-five (25) degrees and shall use beam spreads appropriate for accent lighting and not general floodlighting. Aiming shall be set upon installation and maintained throughout the life of the luminaire. "Moonlighting" effects from trees are permitted provided lamps are of LED type or Low-Voltage halogen and are shrouded and/or louvered and are aimed no more than twenty-five (25) degrees off nadir (straight down). Uplights may also be mounted in or on trees provided that they are of LED or Low-Voltage halogen type and are shrouded and/or louvered and are aimed no more than twenty-five (25) degrees at a forward tilt.
B. In all zoning districts, façade illumination may be accomplished only within a ten (10) foot setback from the structure. Luminaire faces shall not be visible from motorist sight lines.
C. In the U-2 Retail Business District or in the case of a residential subdivision development sign, sign lighting may be accomplished only within a three (3) foot setback from the sign and shall use shielded accent style lighting only and not general floodlighting. Luminaire faces should not be visible from motorist sight lines.
(7) All outdoor light fixtures installed and maintained upon private property within all zoning districts shall be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise, except when used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways and roadways.
(8) All illuminated signs for commercial purposes shall be turned off between 11:00 PM and sunrise, EXCEPT that signs may be illuminated while the business facility is open to the public.
(Ord. 2017-21. Passed 8-9-17.)
(d) In the Dwelling House and Residential Open Space Conservation Districts, lamps/lights on raised posts shall comply with the following:
(1) Height. The center of the electric or gas lamp bulb shall not be more than seven (7) feet above grade.
(2) Wattage. The lamp wattage shall not exceed seventy-five (75).
(3) Electrical grounding. The fixture and post, if metal, shall be grounded.
(4) Location and number. There shall not be more than two (2) lamp posts at the street right of way, one (1) each on either side of the driveway between the right-of-way line and ten (10) feet behind the right-of-way line and not more than one (1) other such post per 100 lineal feet of driveway except at the right-of-way line and/or within twenty (20) feet of the dwelling line, post lights shall be spaced at least seventy-five (75) feet apart.
(5) Size of posts and related structures. The lamp post on which any light is installed shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and shall not be more than two (2) feet square in area, and any circular post shall not exceed six (6) inches in diameter. Such post may be part of a transition wall not to exceed the height at the other end, and the entire wall, exclusive of the post, may not exceed ten (10) feet in length.
(e) In the Dwelling House and Residential Open Space Conservation Districts, driveway lights shall comply with the following:
(1) Electrical grounding. Each fixture shall be grounded through the use of a grounding conductor.
(2) Wattage. Fixtures emitting rays above the horizontal shall be limited to twenty-five watts. Fixtures emitting rays horizontally or below shall be limited to forty watts.
(3) Right of way. No fixtures shall be permitted in the street right of way.
(4) Lamp placement. The center of the electric lamp bulb shall not be placed more than twenty-four inches above grade.
(Ord. 2012-21. Passed 7-11-12.)
(f) In the Dwelling House and Residential Open Space Conservation Districts, lights used to illuminate tennis courts or any other hard-surfaced playing areas for games or sports (hereinafter "sports courts"), in addition to the requirements of this Section 1171.09, shall comply with the following:
(1) Exterior lighting plan. Anyone installing a sports court shall submit an exterior lighting plan in compliance with Section 1171.09(b), except that the plan shall be subject to the approval of the Building Commissioner and need not be referred to the Planning Commission for approval. At the Building Commissioner's discretion, an exterior lighting plan submitted pursuant to this subsection (f)(1) may be referred to the Planning Commission for approval.
(2) Screening. All outdoor lighting of sports courts shall be screened from the view of adjoining properties by vegetation and foliage, as determined by the Building Commissioner, and such screening shall be shown on the exterior lighting plan required by subsection (f)(1).
(3) Time restrictions. All outdoor fixtures used to illuminate a sports court shall be turned on only when the sports court is in use, except that the fixtures shall be turned off between 11:00 PM and sunrise on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 PM and sunrise on Sunday through Thursday. Nighttime shut-off shall be accomplished by astronomical time clock or photo-cell. Other shut-off shall be manual or by a commercial-grade motion sensor.
(4) The maximum pole height for the mounting of outdoor fixtures to illuminate a sports court is twenty-five (25) feet.
(5) The total maximum permitted light level on a sports court shall not exceed twenty (20) foot-candles at the playing surface.
(Ord. 2017-21. Passed 8-9-17.)