[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Shelter Island 7-19-2013 by L.L. No. 5-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 43.
Zoning — See Ch. 133.
Quality lighting returns a sense of balance to the night, and gives a hospitable appearance to our towns and cities when the sun goes down. Quality lighting brings other substantial benefits as well. Lack of glare and excessive illumination improve visibility, especially to the aging eye.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
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 fixture, is projected below the horizontal as determined by photometric test or certified by the manufacturer. Any structural part of the light fixture providing this shielding must be permanently affixed.
A. 
Signs and specialty lighting shall be as specified in the Sign Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 133-27, Signs.
B. 
Facade entry lighting. Any lamp installed on a commercial property must be a fully shielded light fixture located, aimed and shielded such that glare from the lamp is not directly visible from any other property. All fully shielded light fixtures shall be shielded so as to minimize stray light trespassing across property boundaries.
C. 
Security and parking lot lighting. All security and parking lot lighting shall be shielded to direct the light downwards and shall have no light emitted above 90º.
D. 
All entry and parking lot lighting shall be turned off when the business is closed. Security lighting shall be reduced to the minimum necessary during the period between midnight and dawn.
A. 
Generally. Any lamp to be installed on a residential property must be a fully shielded light fixture located, aimed and shielded such that glare from the lamp is not directly visible from any other residential property. All fully shielded light fixtures shall be shielded so as to minimize stray light trespassing across property boundaries.
B. 
Entry lights. The entry light shall be a fully shielded light fixture that is installed in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture is projected below the horizontal plane through the fixture's lowest light-emitting part.
C. 
Landscape lights mean lighting of plant material and other landscape features, and shall be shielded and directed in a way to reduce direct view of the lamp.
D. 
Flood lights shall not exceed 1100 lumens (75W incandescent), be fully shielded and aimed no higher than half-way between straight down and horizontal when the source is visible from any off-site residential property or public roadway.
E. 
Exterior lighting shall be reduced to lighting essential to safety from midnight to dawn.
A. 
Upon special permit issued by the Town Board, lighting not complying with the technical requirements of this chapter but consistent with its intent may be installed for complex sites or uses or special uses including, but not limited to, the following applications:
(1) 
Sports facilities, including but not limited to open courts, fields, and stadiums.
(2) 
Construction lighting.
(3) 
Lighting for industrial sites having special requirements.
(4) 
Parking structures.
(5) 
Ornamental and architectural lighting of bridges, public monuments, statuary and public buildings.
(6) 
Service station canopies and parking structures.
(7) 
Airfields.
B. 
To obtain such a permit, applicants shall demonstrate that the proposed lighting installation:
(1) 
Has sustained every reasonable effort to mitigate the effects of light on the environment and surrounding properties, supported by a signed statement describing the mitigation measures.
(2) 
Employs lighting controls to reduce lighting at a specific time to be established in the permit.
C. 
Standard of review. The Town shall review each such application. A permit may be granted if, upon review, the Town believes that the proposed lighting will not create unwarranted glare, sky glow, or light trespass.
A. 
Lighting within public right-of-way or easement for the principal purpose of illuminating streets or roads. No exemption shall apply to any lighting within the public right-of-way or easement when the purpose of the fixture is to illuminate areas outside the public right-of-way; or
B. 
Lighting solely for signs (lighting for signs is regulated by the Sign Ordinance in Chapter 133).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 133-27, Signs.
C. 
Replacement of existing fixtures predating the adoption of this chapter.
D. 
Temporary lighting for theatrical, television, performance areas and construction sites.
E. 
Underwater lighting in swimming pools and other water features.
F. 
Temporary lighting and seasonal lighting provided that individual lamps are less than 10 watts and 70 lumens.
G. 
Lighting that is only used under emergency conditions.
H. 
Shoreland lighting associated with lighting on berthing structures, piers or docks which is in compliance with Town Code § 53-11E.
I. 
American flag lighting.
A. 
New uses, buildings and major additions or modifications. For all proposed new land uses, developments, buildings, and structures that require a permit, all outdoor lighting fixtures shall meet the requirements of this chapter. All building additions or modifications of 25% or more in terms of gross floor area, or parking spaces, either with a single addition or with cumulative additions subsequent to the effective date of this provision, shall invoke the requirements of this chapter for the entire property, including previously installed and any new outdoor lighting.
B. 
Resumption of use after abandonment. If a property or use with nonconforming lighting is abandoned as defined in the Town Code, then all outdoor lighting shall be reviewed and brought into compliance with this chapter before the use is resumed.
C. 
Existing outdoor lighting fixtures, including floodlights, shall be limited to 1100 lumens (approximately 75 watts) and faced down toward ground. Compliance with this section of the law would be required within six months of enactment of this chapter.
D. 
Exterior lighting shall be reduced to lighting essential to safety from midnight to dawn.
All outdoor illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, the Building Code, the Electrical Code, and the Sign Code of the Town and state as applicable, and under appropriate permit and inspection.
The provisions of this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Shelter Island Police Department and the Shelter Island Building Department.
A. 
Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this chapter. Each day that the violation continues after written notification of noncompliance shall constitute a separate offense. The municipality may institute appropriate action or proceedings to enjoin violations of this chapter.
B. 
Penalties. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable with a fine of no less than $100 nor more than $500.