§ 2.12 LIGHTING.

   A.   Intent. The regulations in this section are intended to require sufficient lighting for parking areas, walkways, driveways , building entrances, loading areas, and common areas to ensure the security of property and safety of persons. These regulations are also intended to prevent the adverse effects of inappropriate lighting, including glare, light trespass onto adjoining properties, light pollution and sky glow, and energy waste. These regulations are also intended to permit and encourage the use of lighting that complements and enhances the rural environment and natural features of the township and that promotes energy efficiency and conservation in the township . (revised 1/12/2010)

   B.   Definitions. Words and phrases used in this section shall have meaning set forth below. Words and phrases not defined herein but defined in Article 1.00 shall be given the meanings set forth in Article 1.00. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless context clearly requires otherwise.

      BULB (OR LAMP). The source of electric light (to be distinguished from the whole assembly, which is called the luminaire). LAMP is often used to denote the BULB and its housing.

      CANDELA (CD). A unit of luminous intensity. One CANDELA is one lumen per steradian. Also known as one candlepower.

      DISABILITY GLARE. An intense and blinding light that results in reduced visual performance and visibility, and is often accompanied by discomfort.

      FILTERED FIXTURE. Light fixtures having glass, acrylic, or translucent enclosures to filter the light.

      FIXTURE. The assembly that holds the lamp in a lighting system. The FIXTURE includes the elements designed to give light output control, such as a reflector (mirror), refractor (lens), the ballast, housing, and the attachment parts.

      FLOODLIGHT. A fixture or lamp designed to “flood” an area with light.

      FOOTCANDLE. Illuminance produced on a surface one foot from a uniform point source of one candela or when one lumen is distributed into an area of one square foot.

      FULLY SHIELDED FIXTURE. An outdoor lighting fixture that is shielded or constructed so that all light emitted is projected onto the site and away from adjoining properties. Light from a fully shielded fixture is not visible from adjoining properties, and does not cause glare or interfere with the vision of motorists.

      HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM (HPS) LAMP. High-intensity discharge lamp where radiation is produced from sodium vapor at relatively high partial pressures (100 torr).

      INCANDESCENT LAMP. A lamp that produces light by a filament heated to a high temperature by electric current.

      LASER SOURCE LIGHT. An intense beam of light, in which all photons share the same wavelength.

      LED LIGHT. A light fixture that uses a light-emitting diode, which is a semi-conductor diode that emits light when conducting electrical current. (added 1/12/2010)

      LIGHT TRESPASS. Light falling where it is not wanted or needed (also called spill light).

      LOW PRESSURE SODIUM (LPS) LAMP. A discharge lamp where the light is produced by radiation from sodium vapor at a relatively low partial pressure (about 0.001 torr). A LPS lamp produces monochromatic light.

      LUMEN. Unit of luminous flux; the flux emitted within a unit solid angle by a point source with a uniform luminous intensity of one candela. One footcandle is one lumen per square foot. One lux is one lumen per square meter.

      LUMINAIRE. The complete lighting unit, including the lamp, fixture, and other parts.

      MERCURY VAPOR LAMP. A high-intensity discharge lamp where the light is produced by radiation from mercury vapor.

      METAL HALIDE LAMP. A high-intensity discharge mercury lamp where the light is produced by radiation from metal-halide vapors.

      NON-ESSENTIAL LIGHTING. Outdoor lighting which is not required for safety or security purposes.

      RECESSED CANOPY FIXTURE. An outdoor lighting fixture recessed into a canopy ceiling so that the bottom of the fixture is flush with the ceiling.

   C.   General requirements.

      1.   Sufficient lighting, as defined by the most recent edition of the “Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Standards,” shall be required for parking areas, walkways, driveways , building entrances, loading areas, and public common areas to ensure the security of property and safety of persons.

      2.   All outdoor lighting shall be shielded as required in § 2.12.D.

      3.   Non-essential lighting shall be turned off after business hours, leaving only that lighting that is necessary for site security.

      4.   Light trespass from a property shall not exceed 0.5 footcandles at the property line , measured five feet above the ground.

      5.   To prevent sky glow, lighting shall be shielded or designed to prevent light to project above a 90 degree horizontal plane (see illustration).

      6.   Uplighting of buildings for aesthetic purposes shall be confined to the target surface as much as possible.

      7.   Gas station canopies and similar structures shall have fully recessed lighting fixtures and the total initial lamp output under the canopies shall be limited to 40 lumens per square foot of canopy.

   Figure 2.3: Lighting Fixture Orientation and Shielding [see § 2.12(C)(5)]

   D.   Permitted lighting sources and shielding requirements.

Lamp Type	Permitted Use	Shielding Requirement
High Pressure Sodium; Low Pressure Sodium	Street lighting; parking and security area; sports parks, tennis courts; residential or agricultural security lighting	Fully
Metal Halide (filtered and in enclosed luminaries only)	Signage, display and sports lighting, where color rendering is critical	Fully
Fluorescent (warm white or natural lamps preferred)	Residential lighting, internal sign lighting (see § 7.06, subsection B)	Fully
Incandescent, more than 100 watts	Sensor activated residential lighting	Fully
Incandescent, 100 watts or less	Porch lighting and other residential uses	None
Any light source of 50 watts or less	Any	None
Glass tubes filled with neon, argon, or krypton	Display/advertising	None

 

   E.   Height.

      Lighting fixtures shall not exceed a height of 22 feet measured from the ground level to the centerline of the light source. Fixtures should provide an overlapping pattern of light at a height of approximately seven feet above ground level.

      The Planning Commission may modify these height standards in commercial and industrial districts, based on consideration of the following: the position and height of buildings , other structures , and trees on the site; the potential off-site impact of the lighting; the character of the proposed use; and, the character of surrounding land use. In no case shall the lighting exceed the maximum permitted building height in the district in which it is located.

   F.   Sign lighting. Illuminated signs shall comply with the regulations set forth in Article 7.00.

   G.   Prohibited lighting.

      1.   Recreational facility lighting. No outdoor recreational facility, public or private, shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude a permitted recreational or sporting event or other activity in progress prior to 11:00 p.m.

      2.   Outdoor building and landscaping lighting. Unshielded illumination of the exterior of a building or landscaping is prohibited except with incandescent fixtures having lamps of 100 watts or less.

      3.   Mercury vapor and wall pack lighting. The installation of mercury vapor fixtures is prohibited. Wall pack fixtures are also prohibited, except where the lens is fully shielded.

      4.   Laser source light. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal, is prohibited.

      5.   Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise the following morning.

   H.   Exceptions.

      1.   Fossil fuel light.   (revised 1/12/2010) Fossil fuel light produced directly or indirectly from the combustion of natural gas or other utility-type fossil fuels (e.g., gas lamps) is exempt from the provisions of this section.

      2.   Temporary carnival and civic uses. Lighting for permitted temporary circus, fair, carnival, or civic uses is exempt from the provisions of this section.

      3.   Construction and emergency lighting. Lighting necessary for construction or emergencies is exempt from the provisions of this article provided that said lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency.

      4.   Special conditions. Additional exceptions may be permitted, subject to site plan review, and upon finding that unique or special conditions on the site warrant the exception .

   I.   Application for a permit.

      1.   Any person applying for site plan approval or for a building , electrical, or sign permit to install outdoor lighting fixtures shall submit evidence that the proposed work will comply with this section.

      2.   The site plan or building , electrical, or sign permit application shall identify the location, type, height, method of mounting, and intensity of proposed lighting. If available, the manufacturer’s catalog specifications and documents, drawings, and certified test reports shall be submitted. The information submitted shall be sufficiently complete to demonstrate compliance with Ordinance requirements. (revised 3/6/2001)

(Ord. passed 7-9-2013)