A. Purpose: These regulations are intended to establish standards that ensure minimal light pollution, reduce glare, increase energy conservation, and maintain the quality of the county's physical and aesthetic character.
B. Applicability: These standards shall apply to all outdoor lighting including, but not limited to, search, spot, or flood lights for:
1. Buildings and structures.
2. Recreational areas.
3. Parking lot lighting.
4. Landscape lighting.
5. Signage.
6. Other outdoor lighting.
C. Standards:
1. Prevention Required: All exterior lighting shall be designed, located and lamped in order to prevent:
a. Over lighting or excessive lighting.
b. Energy waste.
c. Glare.
d. Light trespass.
e. Skyglow.
2. Turn Off Required: All nonessential exterior commercial and residential lighting is encouraged to be turned off after business hours and/or when not in use. Lights on a timer are encouraged. Sensor activated lights are encouraged to replace existing lighting that is desired for security purposes.
3. Recreational Facilities: Recreational facilities such as baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball or football fields; driving ranges; outdoor arenas and amphitheaters; ski trails; or other outdoor field recreation facilities are exempt from height restrictions provided the lights are used only while the field is in use. (Ord. 10-06, 8-23-2010)
4. All Other Outdoor Lighting: All other outdoor lighting shall meet the following standards and at a minimum the standards in title 6, chapter 2 of this code: (Ord. 17-02, 2-13-2017)
a. The height of any light fixture or illumination source shall not exceed twenty feet (20').
b. All lighting or illumination units or sources shall be hooded or shielded in a downward direction so they do not produce glare or cause light trespass on any adjacent lot or real property as depicted in section 9-5-4 of this chapter.
c. Lights or illumination units shall not direct light, either directly or through a reflecting device, upon any adjacent lot or real property. Lighting should not illuminate the sky or reflect off adjacent water bodies or produce glare or cause light trespass on any adjacent lot or real property.
d. External lighting of the face of signs shall be placed above the sign and shielded and directed in a manner that the illumination source shall not be visible from any adjacent lot or real property. Sign lighting shall not reflect or glare beyond the face of the sign and immediately below the sign 1 .
5. Parking Areas, Walkways Or Similar Uses: All outdoor lights used for parking areas, walkways, and similar uses mounted on poles eight feet (8') or greater in height shall be directed downward. The light source shall be shielded so that it will not produce glare or cause light trespass on any adjacent lot or real property.
6. Searchlights: Searchlights shall only be operated for special events or grand openings for a maximum of one week. Searchlights shall not be operated on residential or agricultural property.
7. Mercury Vapor Lights: The installation of mercury vapor lamps is hereby prohibited.
8. Flashing, Intermittent Or Moving Lights Prohibited: Flashing or intermittent lights, lights of changing degree of intensity, or moving lights shall not be permitted. This subsection shall not be construed so as to prohibit the flashing porch light signal used only while emergency services are responding to a call for assistance at the property, or holiday lights.
9. Industrial And Exterior Lighting: Industrial and exterior lighting shall not be used in such a manner that produces glare on public highways and neighboring property. Arc welding, acetylene torch cutting, or similar processes shall be performed so as not to be seen from any point beyond the property line. Exceptions will be made for necessary repairs to equipment.
10. Sensor Activated Lights: Sensor activated lights, provided:
a. They are located in such a manner as to prevent glare and lighting onto properties of others or into a public right of way.
b. They are set to only go on when activated and to go off within five (5) minutes after activation has ceased.
c. They shall not be triggered by activity off the property.
11. Towers, Power Lines And Power Poles: Lighting of radio, communication and navigation towers along with power lines and power poles, provided the owner or occupant demonstrates that the federal aviation administration (FAA) regulations can only be met through the use of lighting.
12. Outdoor Lighting Plan: All applications for a conditional use permit shall include an outdoor lighting plan for the entire site which indicates how the above standards are to be met. The approved permit shall be a part of the conditional use permit and/or the building permit. (Ord. 10-06, 8-23-2010)
Notes
| 1 | 1. See chapter 7 of this title. |