All outdoor lighting shall be installed in conformance with
the provisions of this chapter and applicable Electrical and Energy
Codes as per the New York State Building Codes. Where there may be
a conflict in regulations and/or requirements, the more restrictive
of the regulations and requirements shall apply.
All outdoor lighting shall be in conformance with the requirements
of this chapter.
All exterior lights and illuminated signs shall be designed,
located, installed and directed in such a manner as to prevent objectionable
light at (and glare across) the property lines and glare at any location
on or off the property. The "maintained horizontal illuminance recommendations"
set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
shall be observed.
All applications for site plan and/or special use permit approval
shall require a lighting plan showing conformity with the standards
contained in this chapter. Such lighting plan shall indicate the location,
type of lamp, luminaire, mounting height, source lumens, illuminance
and glare control options, if any, for each light source and area.
Illuminance may be plotted using manufacturer's photometric charts
or the Planning Board may require iso-footcandle drawings to examine
the interaction of all lighting proposed on the site. Any additional
information necessary to show conformance to the standards set forth
in this section shall also be provided. Additions or changes to an
approved lighting plan shall be considered under the site plan review
provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 1-14-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
All exterior lighting shall be designed so that the bulb (point
light source) is not directly visible from adjacent and neighboring
properties or public rights-of-way. This can be accomplished using
fixtures that "fully shield" the bulb behind opaque shielding (i.e.,
the light distribution is primarily down and/or up directed) or which
utilize nontransparent diffusion material (e.g., glass, acrylic, or
polycarbonate) in the case of fixtures with some sort of translucent
lens(s) around the bulb compartment.
All luminaires whose initial source of lumens is equal to or
greater than 1,100 must meet the following requirements:
A. Have a cut-off angle of 90° or less.
B. Wall-pack units are required to be opaque shielded or have optics
that provide a cut-off angle of 70° or less.
C. Canopy lights must be recessed.
Light trespass is defined as the shining of light produced by
a light fixture beyond the horizontal boundaries of the property on
which it is located and vertically above the property. For all types
of uses, light level shall be no greater than 1/2 of a footcandle
at the property line.
The use of motion sensors, photocells, or photocell/timers to
control duration of nighttime illumination is required for safety
and security lighting. In all cases, light intensity shall be limited
to between one and two footcandles.
A. Motion sensors are the preferred method for controlling nighttime
illumination. These are only permitted where the sensor is triggered
by activity within the owner's property lines.
B. Photocells are only permitted under the following conditions:
(1) At primary points of entrance (e.g., front entries) or in critical
common areas for commercial and multifamily properties.
(2) Where the light sources are fully shielded by opaque material (i.e.,
the fixture illuminates the area but is not itself visibly bright).
C. Timer/photocell combinations are a preferred method when used for
nighttime control at primary points of entrance (e.g., front entries)
and may be used with fully shielded lighting fixtures with nontransparent
diffusion material.
All outdoor lighting lawfully existing prior to the effective
date of this chapter shall be deemed conforming to this section except
that:
A. No installation of new luminaires (e.g., fixtures and bulbs) shall
be permitted unless in conformance to this chapter.
B. All outdoor lighting that, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement
Officer, is causing a glare on adjoining roadways and/or properties
shall be required to submit lighting details to the Code Enforcement
Officer showing that the existing lighting meets the requirements
of this section or how such lighting will be brought into conformance.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FOOTCANDLE
A measurement of the amount/density of light falling on an
object or surface away from the light source. A non-SI unit of illuminance
or light intensity, defined as the amount of illumination the inside
surface of a one-foot radius sphere would be receiving if there were
a uniform point source of one candela in the exact center of the sphere.
FULLY SHIELDED LUMINAIRE
A luminaire with opaque top and sides, capable of emitting
light only in the lower photometric hemisphere as installed. See examples.
GLARE
Light entering the eye directly from luminaires or indirectly
from reflective surfaces that causes visual discomfort or reduced
visibility.
LUMEN
A measurement of brightness. The unit of luminous flux, a
measure of the power of light perceived by the human eye. The amount
of light emitted through an angle called a steradian by a source with
the intensity of one wax candle, radiating uniformly in all directions.
LUMINAIRE
The complete lighting unit (fixture) consisting of a lamp,
or lamps and ballast(s) (when applicable), together with the parts
designed to distribute light (reflector, lens, diffuser), to position
and protect the lamps, and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
UP LIGHT
For an exterior luminaire, flux radiated in the hemisphere
at or above the horizontal plane.
[Added 1-14-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
A. A violation of this chapter is declared to be an offense, punishable
by a fine of $250 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days,
or both. Each day that such a violation continues to exist shall constitute
a separate and additional violation.
[Amended 8-10-2015 by L.L. No. 3-2015]
B. This chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Code Enforcement
Officer of the Town of Phelps.