(a) Purpose. The purpose of this exterior lighting section is to regulate exterior lighting in order to reduce or prevent light pollution and minimize lighting impacts on surrounding properties. This means to the extent reasonably possible the reduction or prevention of glare and light trespass, the conservation of energy, and the promotion of safety and security.
(b) Applicability.
(2) Exemptions.
A. All exterior lighting fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as kerosene lanterns or gas lamps, are exempt from the requirements of this section.
B. All temporary emergency lighting needed by the police, fire department, other emergency service vehicles, and public service vehicles, as well as all vehicular luminaries, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section, including flashing or blinking lights.
C. Streetlights shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
(3) Prohibited Lights.
A. Searchlights, beacons, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity or flashing lights are prohibited except in emergencies by police and/or fire department personnel.
B. No open lights, such as strings of light bulbs, shall be permitted. This prohibition shall not include holiday lighting or those used for decorative purposes over outdoor patios, seating areas, or similar places of gathering.
(c) General Provisions Applicable to All Districts and Development.
(1) Exterior lighting shall be installed in a manner to deflect from adjacent residential developments.
(2) All exterior lighting for residential and nonresidential uses shall be located, screened, or shielded so adjacent lots located in residential districts or recorded subdivisions are not directly illuminated. Shielding may also be required for high-intensity light fixtures to prevent glare to adjacent uses, public rights-of-way, and drives. Perimeter lighting, when adjoining residential districts or recorded subdivisions, shall be by shielded fixtures to prevent light trespass onto adjacent properties.
(3) No exterior lighting shall be of such an intensity or color distortion as to cause glare or impair the vision of drivers, pedestrians, or adjacent properties. Shields and/or filters are required for light fixtures with high intensity and glare potential.
(d) Lighting for Residential Uses. Lighting for single-family dwellings shall be exempt from most provisions of this chapter, with the exception that for light fixtures that are not attached to the house or to an accessory building, there shall be a maximum height of twelve (12) feet from the finished grade adjacent to the base of the light fixture to the highest point of the fixture. The light bulb shall not produce more than 1,600 lumens.
(e) Exterior Lighting Requirements.
(1) Type of Fixtures.
A. All light fixtures shall be full cut-off type fixtures except for decorative light fixtures. See Figure 1113-K.
B. Decorative light fixtures shall not flash or otherwise create a sense of motion.
C. Non-cutoff lighting may only be used for decorative purposes when located adjacent to the building. See Figure 1113-K.
Figure 1113-K: Illustration of cutoff lighting versus non-cutoff lighting
(2) Height of Fixtures.
A. In all districts, the maximum height of any non-cutoff light fixture shall be twelve (12) feet.
B. All cut-off exterior lighting shall be designed, located, and mounted with the maximum height as follows:
i. The maximum height of light fixtures in the M-1 District and all nonresidential uses in the R District shall be fifteen (15) feet.
ii. The maximum height of light fixtures in the nonresidential zoning districts shall be twenty-four (24) feet.
C. Lighting located under canopies shall be flush-mounted or recessed within the canopy.
D. Height shall be measured from the finished grade adjacent to the base of the light fixture to the topmost point of the fixture.
(3) Illumination.
A. The maximum illumination at a lot line that abuts a lot zoned or used for residential purposes shall be 0.0-foot candles.
B. The maximum illumination at a lot line that abuts a lot in a nonresidential district shall be 1.0-foot candles.
C. Applicants for site plan review for all nonresidential uses shall be required to submit information that demonstrates compliance with these standards.
D. All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit lighting plans with components that reduce light pollution, including, but not limited to, automatic shut-off of fixtures, auto-dimming to adjust lighting based on ambient lighting, and the use of as little lighting as necessary without creating safety issues.
(4) Nonconforming Lighting. When a luminaire or exterior lighting structure exists at the time of the effective date of this code, such luminaire or structure may continue to exist until such time as the following occurs:
A. If the exterior lighting does not comply with the illumination levels of this section, any change of a nonconforming luminaire (e.g., replacement of bulbs) shall be in compliance with this section.
B. If a nonconforming lighting structure is voluntarily removed or is damaged to an extent beyond fifty percent (50%) of its replacement value, any new replacement lighting structure shall be in compliance with this code.
(f) Modifications. Should any exterior light fixture or the type of light source therein be changed after the permit has been issued, a change request must be submitted to the Village Administrator for approval, together with adequate information to assure compliance with this section, which must be received prior to the substitution.
(Ord. 3879. Passed 10-23-23.)