This chapter shall be known as the "Exterior Lighting Law."
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall,
for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings as herein defined.
Any word or term not noted below shall be used with a meaning as defined
in Webster's Third International Dictionary of the English Language,
unabridged (or latest editions):
AREA LIGHT
A luminaire designed for illumination of a broad area. Area
lights include, but are not limited to, streetlights, parking lot
lights and yard lights over 1,800 lumens.
ESSENTIAL LIGHTING
Light that is used for a specified period of time, which
is necessary for location identification, safety, security or public
circulation purposes.
EXCESSIVE LIGHTING
Illuminance levels beyond that which is required for safety,
as recommended in IESNA Recommended Practices, or higher than five
footcandles on any lit surface unless a higher level is indicated
on the Table of Limits of Illumination Levels.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Lighting that is mounted, located, lamped or used, whether
inside or outside, to illuminate outdoor features. For the purposes
of this chapter, lighting which is installed indoors but which is
intended to illuminate an area outdoors shall be considered exterior
lighting.
FIXTURE
The complete lighting assembly (including but not limited
to the lamp, housing, ballast, timers, photocells, reflectors, cover
glass, lenses, louvers, and shields), including the support assembly
(pole or mounting bracket). For purposes of determining total light
output from a light fixture, lighting assemblies which may include
multiple lamps shall be considered as a single fixture. Also referred
to as a "luminaire."
FOOTCANDLE (FC)
The basic unit of illuminance (the amount of light falling
on a surface). Footcandle measurement is taken with a light meter.
One footcandle is approximately equal to the illuminance produced
by a light source of one candela in intensity, measured on a surface
at a one foot distance from the source. Horizontal footcandles measure
the illumination striking a horizontal plane. Footcandle values can
be measured directly with certain handheld incident light meters.
FULL CUTOFF (FCO)
A classification for a luminaire designed and installed where
no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane running through
the lowest point on the luminaire. In addition, the luminous intensity
(as measured in candelas) emitted at any angle from 80° up to
90° cannot exceed a numerical value equal to 10% of the lumen
rating of the lamp, as reported in a photometric report from the manufacturer.
A cutoff; or semi-cutoff design, allows a restricted amount of light
emitted above the horizontal and a noncutoff provides no restriction
against light emitted above the horizontal.
FULLY SHIELDED
A luminaire constructed and installed in such a manner that
all light emitted by it, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing
element, or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of
the luminaire, is projected below the horizontal. It is the same as
a full cutoff luminaire but without any restrictions on light distribution
below the horizontal plane, and it can be identified without a manufacturer's
report.
GLARE
Unshielded light from a light source that may result in nuisance
or annoyance, discomfort or visual disability.
HOLIDAY LIGHTING
Temporary lights installed on a residential property which
are installed in connection with holiday or religious observances
between Thanksgiving and the following January 15.
IESNA
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES or
IESNA), an organization that establishes updated standards and illumination
guidelines for the lighting industry.
IESNA RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
The most current publications of the IESNA setting forth
illuminance levels for different task areas, e.g., walkways, streets,
sports lights, etc.
ILLUMINANCE
The density of light falling on any point of a surface, usually
measured in footcandles in the United States. See "footcandles."
LAMP
The source of artificial light as distinguished from the
fixture.
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING
Lighting which is positioned and aimed to illuminate foliage,
driveways, walkways, patios, decks and other exterior pedestrian areas,
whether or not mounted on a structure.
LIGHTING
Light fixture or light source, or the effect of light, and
all apparatus and wiring to power artificial light.
LIGHT POLLUTION
Any and all nuisances caused by the adverse effect of man-made
light, including but not limited to glare, light trespass, skyglow,
visual clutter, and wasted energy due to excessive or unnecessary
lighting; or artificial light that unnecessarily diminishes the ability
to view the night sky or is disruptive to flora and fauna.
LIGHT SOURCE
The light-emitting part or parts of a fixture, consisting
of the lamp or lamps and any transparent or translucent covering over
the lamp, as well as any refractors, reflectors, prismatic lenses,
mirrors, or diffusers which emit or transmit light.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light projected across property lines or into the public
right of way when it is not required or permitted to do so.
LUMEN
A unit used to measure the amount of light that is produced
by a light source. The lumen quantifies the amount of light energy
produced by a lamp at the lamp, not by the energy input, which is
indicated by the wattage.
LUMINAIRE
The complete lighting assembly (including the lamp, housing,
ballasts, photocells, reflectors, lenses and shields), less the support
assembly (pole or mounting bracket); a light fixture. For purposes
of determining total light output from a luminaire or light fixture,
lighting assemblies which include multiple unshielded or partially
shielded lamps on a single pole or standard shall be considered as
a single unit.
MOUNTING HEIGHT
The vertical distance of the light source from natural grade.
NONESSENTIAL EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Lighting which is unnecessary for pedestrian passage and
not generally useful (e.g., decorative and landscape lighting). This
includes lighting intended for a specific task or purpose when said
task or purpose is not being actively performed (e.g., parking lot
illumination and wall-mounted perimeter lights after business hours).
PARTIALLY SHIELDED
A light fixture that is not fully shielded but incorporates
a partial shield around the lamp by opaque barrier(s) such as louvers,
shields, and other means in order to prevent the light source from
being visible from across property lines, into waterways, or roadways.
SKYGLOW
Glare or illumination of the night sky, whether direct or
reflected.
UNIFORMITY RATIO ("U RATIO")
A ratio that describes uniformity of illuminance across an
area. The uniformity ratio may be a ratio of the maximum-to-minimum
illuminance or the average-to-minimum illuminance. For example, if
the Illuminating Engineering Society recommends an average-to-minimum
ratio of 4:1 fur a parking lot, the minimum illuminance should be
no less than 1/4 of the average illuminance across the parking lot.
UNSHIELDED FIXTURE
A fixture which, as designed or installed, emits all or part
of the light above the lowest part of the light source.
In a case where this chapter is found to be in conflict with
a provision of any other local law, ordinance, code or regulation,
the provision or requirement which is the more restrictive or which
establishes the higher standard shall prevail.
The following exterior lighting is exempt or is partially exempt
from the provisions of this chapter:
A. Vehicular lights, United States Coast-Guard-approved maritime navigational
lighting, temporary lighting associated with nighttime roadwork and
construction activities, and all temporary emergency lighting needed
by fire, ambulance, and police departments or other emergency services
are exempt.
B. Lighting of radio, communication and navigation towers is allowed,
provided the owner or occupant demonstrates that the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) regulations can only be met through the use of
lighting that does not comply with this section, and that the provisions
of this section are otherwise met. Tower lighting shall not be permitted
unless required by the FAA; in which case, required lighting shall
be of the lowest allowed intensity and red, unless otherwise specifically
forbidden under the FAA regulations.
C. Holiday exterior lighting is exempt from provisions regarding shielding;
location, mounting height and total wattage, but must be turned off
by 12:59:a.m.
D. Temporary lighting in association with an approved special event
permit shall comply with all provisions exclusive of location, mounting
height, and total wattage, and shall be extinguished no later than
12:59 a.m. on the date of the approved event.
E. Upward lighting of the American (and/or other governmental) flag
in the form of a single ground-mounted narrow cone spotlight located
at the base of the pole which confines the illumination to the flag
and limits lumen output to a total of 1,800 lumens (equivalent to
100 watt incandescent) is exempt. The Town encourages the tradition
of raising and lowering flags to avoid lighting.
F. Recreational lighting:
(1) Public recreational lighting shall comply with all provisions of
this chapter, exclusive of height and maximum footcandle limits set
forth in § 136-5C(2). No public recreational facility shall
be illuminated after 11:00 p.m., except to conclude a recreational
or sporting event or any other similar activity conducted at or in
the facility which was in progress under such illumination prior to
11:00 p.m.
(2) Private recreational lighting shall comply with all provisions of
this chapter, exclusive of the maximum footcandle limits set forth
in § 136-5C(2). No private recreational lighting shall be
illuminated after 11:00 p.m.
The following are prohibited:
A. Searchlights, other than those required by law.
B. Strobe lights, laser lights, or revolving lighting.
C. Blinking, pulsating, tracing or flashing lights.
D. Lighting which is used to outline or illuminate a building, structure
or window, except to light a permitted sign, where such light will
be focused downward from above and is lighting only the sign.
E. Floodlighting or "wall washing" lighting which is designed to illuminate
the walls of a building or other structures, except to light a permitted
sign, where such light will be focused downward from above and is
lighting only the sign.
F. Any light fixture that may be construed as or confused with a traffic
control device or maritime navigational marker.
G. The following lamp and fixture types shall not be permitted:
(1) High-intensity discharge, including metal halide, and high-pressure
and low-pressure sodium.
(4) Lamps rated higher than 3,000 Kelvin in color.
H. Unshielded light fixtures, except as permitted herein.