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A. Lighting Plans Required: All sign permit applications, building permit applications and design development review applications shall include a lighting plan that shows evidence that the proposed lighting fixtures and light sources will comply with this chapter and shall include the following:
1. Plans or drawings indicating the proposed location of lighting fixtures, height of lighting fixtures on the premises, and type of illumination devices, lamps, supports, shielding and reflectors used and installation and electrical details.
2. Illustrations, such as contained in a manufacturer's catalog cuts, of all proposed lighting fixtures. For commercial uses, photometric diagrams of proposed lighting fixtures are also required. In the event photometric diagrams are not available, the applicant must provide sufficient information regarding the light fixture, bulb wattage and shielding mechanisms for the planning commission to be able to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
3. A table showing the total amount of proposed exterior lights, by fixture type, wattage, lumens and lamp type.
B. Approval Procedure:
1. The lighting plan for all new development shall be submitted for approval concurrent with the associated application process. (Ord., 3-10-2016)
2. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until such time as the property is subject to a postinstallation nighttime inspection by the building inspector. (Ord., 3-10-2016; amd. 2016 Code)
A. Required: Unless specifically exempted by this chapter, all outdoor lighting shall use full cutoff fixtures that are designed and constructed so that no light is emitted from the top or sides of the fixture. Lighting must be placed at a location, angle or height to prevent direct illumination outside the property boundaries where the light fixtures are located.
B. Characteristics: In order to qualify as a "full cutoff" fixture, a light fixture must have the top and sides made of completely opaque material such that light only escapes through the bottom of the fixture. Fixtures with translucent or transparent sides, or sides with perforations or slits, do not qualify as full cutoff. Any glass or diffuser on the bottom of the fixture must be flush with the fixture (no drop lenses). Merely placing a light fixture under an eave, canopy, patio cover or other similar cover does not qualify as full cutoff. (Ord., 3-10-2016)
C. Restrictions On Total Amount Of Unshielded Lighting: Outdoor lighting that is not subject to the shielding requirement in subsection 9-4-6C of this chapter shall not exceed five thousand (5000) lumens per net acre for commercial properties, and one thousand (1000) lumens per net acre for residential properties. (2016 Code)
D. Exemptions To Full Cutoff Fixture Requirements:
1. Fixtures having a total light output less than one thousand (1000) lumens (approximately equal to a 60 watt incandescent bulb or a 15 watt compact fluorescent) are exempted from the full cutoff requirement provided:
a. The fixture has a top that is completely opaque such that no light is directed upward.
b. The fixture has sides that completely cover the light source and are made of opaque or semiopaque material. Fixtures with opaque sides may have incidental decorative perforations that emit small amounts of light. Semiopaque material, such as dark tinted glass or translucent plastic, may be used if the light source is not discernable behind the material. Completely transparent materials, such as clear glass, are not allowed.
c. The light source (light bulb or filament) must not be visible from any point outside the property on which the fixture is located.
2. Spotlights controlled by motion sensors having a light output less than one thousand (1000) lumens per lamp (allowing a maximum of a 60 watt incandescent or a 15 watt compact fluorescent bulb) are exempt from the full cutoff requirement, provided:
a. The fixture is a spotlight or other type of directed light that shall be directed at a forty five degree (45°) angle or less, where the zero angle is pointing straight down.
b. The fixture must not be placed in such a manner that results in illumination being directed outside the property boundaries where the light fixtures are located.
c. The fixture must be hooded or shielded to the extent necessary to prevent glare on adjacent properties or roadways.
3. Pathway lights less than eighteen inches (18") in height are exempted from the full cutoff fixture requirement, if the total light output from each pathway light is less than three hundred (300) lumens and the lights have opaque caps that direct light downward.
4. Architectural lights, water feature illumination and sign illumination are all exempted from the full cutoff fixture requirement, provided such illumination meets all other applicable standards of this chapter. (Ord., 3-10-2016; amd. 2016 Code)
A. Minimum Necessary: Outdoor lighting should be the minimum necessary to provide for safety and functionality. The lowest wattage light source necessary for a lighting application should be used. (Ord., 3-10-2016)
B. Maximum Color Temperature Of All Lighting Fixtures: The correlated color temperature of any outdoor lighting fixture shall not exceed three thousand degrees kelvin (3000°K).
C. Maximum Lighting Allowed: The total amount of outdoor lighting, whether shielded or unshielded, shall not exceed twenty five thousand (25 000) lumens per net acre for commercial properties and five thousand (5000) lumens per acre for residential properties. (2016 Code)
D. Allowable Applications: Outdoor lighting shall only be allowed in the following applications:
1. To illuminate the entrances to buildings (including garage entrances).
2. To illuminate pathways and walkways.
3. To illuminate parking areas and parking area access lanes.
4. To illuminate outdoor gathering areas, such as patios, pool and hot tub areas, outdoor dining areas and recreation areas.
5. For security purposes, provided all the following conditions are met:
a. The lighting is activated by motion sensors and shuts off fifteen (15) minutes after each disturbance or when the activity involved is completed.
b. The lighting is placed and directed such that no direct illumination falls outside the property boundaries where the security lighting is placed.
6. To illuminate signage.
7. For architectural lighting, provided all of the following conditions are met:
a. The property where the architectural lighting is placed is on a property designated as commercial by the town.
b. The architectural lighting is compatible with the purposes of this chapter as determined by the planning commission.
c. All architectural lighting is mounted on and directed onto the front of a commercial building facing the street.
d. The architectural lighting is sufficiently shielded such that the light source is not visible beyond the property boundaries.
e. The architectural lighting is directed such that all light falls on the front of the building, and not on the adjacent ground or into the night sky.
f. The architectural lighting uses low wattage light sources.
g. The architectural lighting is not used to illuminate landscape, statues or other similar features.
8. To illuminate outdoor water features, provided all of the following conditions are met:
a. The lighting is angled below the horizontal plane.
b. The lighting is placed underneath or behind the water such that the water diffuses the light from all points where the light is visible.
c. Each light source has a total light output of one thousand (1000) lumens or less and the total lighting is not greater than necessary to achieve the desired artistic effect.
E. Light Curfews:
1. Commercial establishments shall turn off all outdoor lighting, except that listed below, by one hour after closing. (For the purposes of this section, motels and hotels are considered open around the clock when they are open for the season.)
a. Lighting to illuminate the entrance to the commercial establishment.
b. Parking lot and pathway lighting required for the safety of guests.
2. Recreational lighting (residential and commercial) shall be turned off by ten o'clock (10:00) P.M., except to conclude a community approved sporting event that is underway. (Ord., 3-10-2016; amd. 2016 Code)
A. Gas Station Canopies: Gas station canopies may be illuminated, provided all light fixtures are mounted on the undersurface of the canopy, all light fixtures are full cutoff and diffusers are not visible from locations off the property. Except for directed beam lighting, merely placing the fixtures on the underside of the canopy does not qualify as fully shielding the light fixture. Directed beam lighting mounted under the canopy is allowed, provided the light source cannot be seen from outside the property boundaries.
B. Roadway/Streetlights: Streetlights are allowable as recommended by the town engineer or town council. All streetlights shall utilize lamp types that are energy efficient and minimize sky glow and other negative impacts of artificial lighting.
C. Parking Lots:
1. Spot or flood lighting of parking lots from a building or other structure is prohibited.
2. The overall height of any light post used to illuminate parking lots in commercial zones shall not exceed fourteen feet (14'). All post mounted parking lot lights shall be set back from property lines a distance that is determined appropriate by the planning commission.
3. The overall height of any light post used to illuminate parking lots in residential zones shall not exceed six feet (6').
4. All parking lot lighting shall use full cutoff fixtures.
D. Recreational Lighting:
1. The planning commission shall review all requests for new recreational lighting fixtures for fields or courts. The planning commission shall approve such requests only after finding:
a. The recreational lighting has provisions for minimizing glare, spill light and uplight by the use of louvers, hoods or shielding.
b. The recreational lighting does not exceed illumination levels for class IV sports lighting set by the Illuminating Engineering Society Of North America.
c. The recreational lighting will only illuminate the field or court area and shall be shielded to prevent illumination falling outside of those areas.
d. The light source for the recreational light will not be visible from adjacent properties.
2. Pole mounted recreational lighting shall be limited to eighteen feet (18') in height. Pole mounted recreational lighting must be set back an appropriate distance from neighboring properties as determined in consultation with the planning commission.
3. The lighting for nonfield and noncourt areas shall conform to all provisions of this chapter.
E. Amphitheater Lighting: Outdoor amphitheaters may use illumination to light the performance area of the amphitheater and for the safety of the public. The following standards apply to all amphitheater lighting:
1. Lighting used to illuminate the performance area must be either directed spotlighting or full cutoff lighting. If directed spotlighting, the light source must be located and designed such that it is not visible beyond the property boundaries.
2. Lighting used to illuminate the performance area may only be turned on during performances or rehearsals.
3. Lighting used to illuminate the seating areas, pathways and other areas of the amphitheater must meet all standards of this chapter.
F. Signs: Signs may be unlighted, lighted externally, lighted internally or backlit. All sign lighting must be designed, directed and shielded in such a manner that the light source is not visible beyond the property boundaries where the sign is located. Lighting for signs must be directed such that only the sign face is illuminated. All lighted signs must have stationary and constant lighting. (Note: For additional information on sign lighting standards, please refer to the town sign ordinance, chapter 3 of this title.)
1. Standards For Externally Illuminated Signs:
a. Lighting for externally illuminated signs must be aimed and shielded so that light is directed only onto the sign face and does not trespass onto adjacent streets, roads or properties or into the night sky.
b. Lighting for externally illuminated signs must be mounted at the top of the sign (or within 2 feet of the top of a building mounted sign), except for freestanding monument style signs which may be illuminated by ground mounted lighting.
2. Standards For Internally Illuminated Signs - Lighting Is Visible On Both Sides Of Sign:
a. Only sign copy areas and logos may be illuminated on an internally illuminated sign.
b. Internally illuminated signs shall use semiopaque materials for sign copy such that the light emanating from the sign is diffused. Transparent or clear materials are not allowed for sign copy. Noncopy portions of the sign (e.g., background and graphics) shall be made of completely opaque material.
3. Standards For Backlit Signs - Only One Side Of Sign Is Lit:
a. Backlit signs shall be designed such that the light source is not visible.
b. Backlit signs shall be designed such that harsh, direct illumination does not emanate out of the sign. Rather, the backlighting shall only allow indirect illumination to emanate from the sign. For example, signs that create a "halo" effect around sign copy are allowed.
c. Backlit signs shall use low wattage light sources.
4. Illuminated Window Signage: Illuminated window signs positioned to be primarily visible outside the business structure are allowed only if there are no more than two (2) signs per business space and each sign measures less than three and one-half (31/2) square feet in area. Such signs must not be illuminated when the business is closed. (Ord., 3-10-2016)
In certain cases (such as, but not limited to, properties on or near ridgelines or hillsides), additional shielding may be required to mitigate glare or light trespass. The need for additional shielding will be considered as part of the review process performed by the planning commission prior to approval of any business or residence. (Ord., 3-10-2016)
A. All monopole, antenna, tower or support facility lighting not required by the federal aviation administration (FAA) or the federal communications commission (FCC) is prohibited.
B. When lighting is required by the FAA or the FCC, such lighting shall not exceed the minimum requirements of those agencies. Collision markers should have a dual mode for day and night to minimize impact to the night sky and migrating birds.
C. All other lighting used on the property not regulated by the FAA or FCC shall conform to this chapter. (Ord., 3-10-2016)
The following shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter:
A. Holiday lighting from November 15 to January 15 as long as it does not create a hazard or nuisance to surrounding businesses or residences.
B. Traffic control signals and devices.
C. Temporary emergency lighting in use by law enforcement or government agencies, or at their direction.
D. The lighting of federal or state flags; provided, that the light is a narrow beam aimed and shielded to illuminate only the flag. Flag lighting should use appropriate illumination levels to light the flag, while at the same time fulfilling the purposes of this chapter.
E. Low voltage LED lights and solar lights used to illuminate pathways in residential areas, provided the lights are installed no more than eighteen inches (18") above the adjacent ground level and have caps that direct the light downward.
F. The planning commission, as part of its review as outlined in this chapter, may approve lighting that does not conform to these standards if need is established. An applicant requesting such lighting is required to provide proof of requirements of property insurance or findings of competent research demonstrating the need for the requested lighting. The planning commission may attach other conditions to the approval of such lighting that will make the lighting comply with the spirit of this chapter. (Ord., 3-10-2016)
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