Inappropriate and poorly designed or installed outdoor lighting causes unsafe and unpleasant conditions, limits residents' ability to enjoy the nighttime sky, and results in unnecessary use of electric power. Conversely, it is recognized that some outdoor lighting is appropriate and necessary for safety purposes. To ensure appropriate lighting while minimizing its undesirable side effects, the following regulations are established.
(a) General Provisions and Standards.
(1) Lighting shall be required for all off-street parking areas, loading and unloading areas, and access drives serving multi-family residential, commercial, industrial and public or semi-public uses where the Zoning Administrator, using reasonable discretion, determines such lighting is necessary.
(2) All exterior lighting including illuminated signs shall be designed, located, installed and directed in such a manner as to prevent glare from encroaching onto adjoining properties or public rights-of-way.
(3) Uplighting of any architectural feature of a building or a sign is permitted, but such lighting shall consist only of low wattage fixtures (designed for bulbs not exceeding 75 watts) trained directly onto the surface intended to be illuminated. Internally lit signs are acceptable in certain zoning districts provided they meet the requirements of this Zoning Code.
(4) When outdoor lighting installation or replacement is a part of a development proposal for which an application for certificate of zoning approval and plot plan submission is required, submission and approval of an Outdoor Lighting Plan shall be required as a part of the application for certificate of zoning approval.
(5) Sufficient information must be submitted on the plan to enable the Zoning Administrator to determine if the applicable provisions of this section are satisfied.
(6) When an existing outdoor lighting installation is being replaced, modified, extended, expanded or added to, the entire outdoor lighting installation shall be subject to the requirements of this section and an Outdoor Lighting Plan must be submitted along with an application for certificate of zoning approval.
(7) When practicable, electrical service to outdoor lighting fixtures shall be underground.
(8) Temporary holiday lights during the months of November, December and January shall be exempt from the provisions of this section, provided that such lighting does not create dangerous glare on adjacent streets or properties.
(b) Installation and Maintenance.
(1) Electrical feeds to lighting standards shall be run underground, not overhead.
(2) Lighting fixtures shall be maintained by the property owner so as to always meet the requirements of this section.
(c) Exemptions. The following shall be exempt from the provisions of this section:
(1) Street lighting and lighting activated by motion sensors.
(2) Lighting for temporary circus, fair, carnival or civic uses.
(3) Construction or emergency lighting, provided such lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency necessitating such lighting.
(d) After receipt of an Outdoor Lighting Plan, it shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator. The Outdoor Lighting Plan shall be approved when it complies with all City regulations. The Zoning Administrator shall not issue zoning approval until an Outdoor Lighting Plan is approved.
(Ord. 2016-11. Passed 4-12-16.)