(A) Purpose and intent. It is the intent of this section to define practical and effective measures by which the obtrusive aspects of excessive and/or careless outdoor light usage can be minimized, while preserving safety, security and the nighttime use and enjoyment of property. These measures will reasonably curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual environment by encouraging lighting practices that direct appropriate amounts of light where and when it is needed, increasing the use of energy-efficient sources, and decreasing the wastage of light, sky glow, and glare resulting from over-lighting and poorly shielded or inappropriately directed lighting fixtures.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONMENT OF USE. The relinquishment of the use of a light, or the cessation of a use or activity by the owner or tenant for a continuous period of 12 months, excluding temporary or short term interruptions for the purpose of remodeling, maintaining, or rearranging a facility. A use shall also be deemed abandoned when such use is suspended as evidenced by the cessation of activities or conditions that constitute the principal use of the property.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Any residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use subdivision plan or development plan which is submitted to the village for approval.
DIFFUSE. To spread or scatter widely, or thinly.
DIRECT ILLUMINATION. Illumination resulting from light emitted directly from a lamp or luminaire, not light diffused through translucent signs or reflected from other surfaces such as the ground or building surfaces.
FULLY SHIELDED LIGHT FIXTURE. A lighting fixture constructed in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing element, or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of the complete lighting fixture, less the support assembly, is projected below the horizontal as determined by a photometric test or certified by the manufacturer. Any structural part of the light fixture providing this shielding must be permanently affixed.
GLARE. The sensation produced by a bright source within the visual field that is sufficiently brighter than the level to which the eyes have adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility. The magnitude of glare depends on such factors as the size, position, brightness of the source, and on the brightness level to which the eyes have become adapted.
INSTALLED. The attachment or assembly fixed in place, whether or not connected to a power source, of any outdoor light fixture.
LIGHT POLLUTION. Any adverse effect of manmade light.
LUMEN. A unit for measuring the amount of light produced by a lamp; watt is a unit for measuring the amount of electrical energy used by a lamp. The number of lumens per lamp is indicated on the manufacturers packaging of a lamp.
OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURE. An outdoor illuminating device, outdoor lighting or reflective surface, lamp, or similar device, permanently installed or portable, used for illumination or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to lights used for:
(a) Parking lot lighting;
(b) Buildings and structures;
(c) Recreational areas;
(d) Landscape lighting;
(e) Billboards and other signs (advertising or other);
(f) Product display area lighting; and/or
(g) Illuminating building overhangs and open canopies.
OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITY. An area designed for active recreation, whether publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and ski areas.
PERSON. Any individual, tenant, lessee, owner, or any commercial entity including but not limited to a firm, business, partnership, joint venture, corporation, or limited liability company.
SIGN; INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED. A sign illuminated by light sources enclosed entirely within the sign cabinet and not directly visible from outside the sign.
SKY GLOW. The brightening of the night sky resulting from the scattering of artificial visible radiation by the constituents of the atmosphere.
TEMPORARY LIGHTING. Lighting which does not conform to the provisions of this section and which will not be used for more than one consecutive 30-day period within a calendar year. TEMPORARY LIGHTING is intended for uses which by their nature are of a limited duration; for example, holiday lighting decorations, civic events, or construction projects.
(C) Applicability of regulations to zoning districts. The regulations set forth in this section shall apply to the following zoning districts: R-1 Low Density Residential District, R-2 Medium Density Residential District, R-3 Multi-Family Residential District, R-4 Residential Estate District, C-B Commercial Business District, and the M-U Multi-Use District.
(D) Conformance with electric codes and underground service. All outdoor illuminating devices shall be installed and maintained in conformance with the provisions of this section and all pertinent codes. All power and control lines necessary to energize outside lighting shall be placed underground in a manner acceptable to the National Electric Code. This shall include local utility companies, governmental agencies, and private persons.
(E) Requirements.
(1) New lighting.
(a) All nonexempt outdoor lighting fixtures above 2,000 lumens per manufacturers specifications shall be fully shielded if installed after the adoption of this section. All outdoor lighting which remains lighted the majority of the time (four days per week and six hours after dusk) must be fully shielded.
(b) Examples of lamp types of 2,000 lumens and less are:
1. One hundred watt standard incandescent;
2. Fifteen watt cool white fluorescent;
3. Fifteen watt compact fluorescent; and
4. Eighteen watt low pressure sodium.
(2) Resumption of use after abandonment. If a property use or use of non-conforming lighting is abandoned as defined herein, then all outdoor lighting shall be brought into compliance with this section before the use of regulated lighting is resumed.
(3) Roadways. Lighting for public roads and public parking lots must be low-pressure sodium lamps, not to exceed 55 watts, or high pressure sodium lamps, not to exceed 100 watts, which shall be exempt from shielding requirements. Streets created by developers shall include lights which provide 8,000 lumens per lamp and which shall be properly shielded.
(4) Canopy lighting. Lighting for service station canopies and other canopies shall be recessed and shall not exceed 430 lumens per square foot.
(5) Laser and search lights. The use of laser or search lights are prohibited.
(F) Exemptions.
(1) Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting used by police, firefighting, or medical personnel, or at their direction, is exempt from all requirements of this section.
(2) Swimming pool and fountain lighting. Underwater lighting used for the illumination of swimming pools and fountains is exempt from the lamp type and shielding standards of this section, but shall otherwise conform to all other provisions of this section.
(3) Towers. Legally required safety lighting for towers shall be exempt from this section.
(4) Internally illuminated signs. Internally illuminated signs are exempt from the shielding requirements of this section.
(5) Exemption for ski area operations. Safety lighting for ski slope operations (including snow tubing) shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
(Ord. O-2021.15, passed 10-19-2021)