[Added 10-10-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-10]
The purpose of this article is to regulate outdoor lighting
in a manner which encourages the conservation of energy, improves
or maintains the nighttime visual environment, prevents and/or eliminates
misdirected or excessive artificial light, light trespass and/or unnecessary
sky glow and protects the health, safety, security and welfare of
Township residents and the general public.
All outdoor light fixtures installed and thereafter maintained
shall comply with the requirements specified in this article. The
regulations and standards contained in this article shall apply to
1) outdoor lighting upon any property for which site plan review and
approval is required; and 2) the installation, alteration to and/or
the changing of outdoor lighting upon any residential property, including
single-family and multifamily dwelling units. All outdoor light fixtures
installed and thereafter maintained shall comply with the requirements
specified in this article.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A man-made object from which light originates (e.g., an electrically
powered lamp).
A light fixture aiming no more than 60° in either direction
from the center of the lowest light-emitting point of the luminaire.
A sign any face of which is illuminated by one or more artificial
light sources located between the reader and the sign face and directed
toward the sign face.
An unshielded artificial light source or lamp designed to
produce relatively uniform illumination across a broad area.
A unit of measurement of illuminance; one footcandle equals
one lumen per square foot of area.
A luminaire that emits no direct uplight.
The sensation produced by luminance within the visual field
that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes
are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance
and visibility.
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, an organization
that recommends standards for the lighting industry.
The total amount (density) of visible light incident upon
(i.e., illuminating) a point of a surface from all directions above
the surface measured in footcandles. (Note: The "surface" may be a
part, or all, of a physical object or an imaginary plane.)
See "lighting."
A sign any face of which is opaque and illuminated by one
or more artificial light sources enclosed entirely within the sign
cabinet and not directly visible from any point outside of the sign
cabinet.
The modern form of the metric system.
A radiant light source; the replaceable, electrically powered
light source of a light fixture.
A thing or object from which light originates. (Note: An
object that reflects light originating from a different object is
not a light source.)
Light projected onto a property from an artificial light
source not located upon that property.
Any form of artificial illuminance emanating from a light fixture or illuminated sign that penetrates other property and creates a nuisance, as specified in § 185-130.
Light spillage not compliant with the requirements of this
article.
The deliberate utilization of one or more artificial light
sources to achieve an aesthetic or intended effect.
A unit of measurement of luminous flux (i.e., of the total
amount of light emitted in all directions per unit time) within the
International System of Units.
A self-contained lighting system component containing a light
fixture and, as necessary, an outer shell or housing, a mirror or
reflector, an aperture, a lens or refractor and a mounting bracket
or pole socket; within this article, the term "luminaire" shall refer
to outdoor lighting luminaires unless otherwise stated.
Glare resulting from excessive levels of illumination or
insufficiently shielded light sources emanating from light fixtures
in the field of view where the lens, lamp or reflector is offensively
visible above a height of five feet at a property line or a public
roadway.
The lighting of areas exterior to the walls of enclosed buildings
and/or within structures having open or partially open walls, such
as canopies, pavilions, gazebos, etc.
A light fixture with cutoff optics that allows no direct
light emissions above a vertical cutoff angle of 90° from the
center of the luminaire facing straight down through the light fixture's
lowest light-emitting part. Any structural part of the light fixture
providing this cutoff angle must be permanently affixed.
A light source which is positioned and/or equipped with light-shielding
devices so that it is not directly visible to any person distant 10
feet or more from the light source, or from any point upon or outside
of the property boundary.
An unshielded artificial light source or lamp designed to
produce a narrow, well-directed beam of light upon a small area.
Outdoor lighting which does not conform to the provisions
of this article and which will not be used for longer than a period
of 30 consecutive days; temporary lighting is intended for uses which,
by their nature, are of limited duration, such as holiday decorations,
civic events, or construction projects.
A.
Residential uses. All outdoor lighting fixtures serving residential
dwellings shall comply with the requirements specified in this section.
(1)
All outdoor light fixtures serving one- and two-family dwellings
and having initial light outputs greater than 1,500 lumens shall be
of a type which provides a luminaire that is recessed or enclosed
within the fixture so as to eliminate sky glow and glare. Light fixtures
with initial light outputs less than 1,500 lumens, such as decorative
porch lights, wall sconces, post-top lanterns and walkway fixtures,
may contain lamps and glass/plastic diffusing devices that extend
beyond the opaque fixture enclosure. All outdoor fixtures shall comply
with the requirements as specified below:
(a)
Outdoor light fixtures properly installed and maintained shall
be directed so that there will not be any direct glare source visible
from any adjacent residential property.
(b)
Pole-mounted lighting fixtures shall not exceed 16 feet (base
plus pole) in height.
(c)
Light fixtures installed within any setback area, including
front, rear or side yard setbacks, shall contain shielding devices
to prevent light spill and glare upward and onto adjacent properties.
(d)
Accent lighting used to enhance the architectural features,
materials, color, or style of buildings, landscaping, or art shall
be located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed only on those
features. Such fixtures shall be aimed or shielded to minimize light
spill into the dark sky or cause glare or direct light beyond the
facade onto a neighboring property or streets.
B.
Where used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways, roadways
and parking lots, only outdoor light fixtures having luminaires that
are shielded from public view and having the performance characteristics
of a cutoff light fixture shall be used.
C.
Heights. Mounting heights (base plus pole) shall not exceed 16 feet
above grade. Lower heights shall be used for walkways.
D.
Shielding. All luminaires shall be shielded to eliminate glare. Lamps
shall be recessed in the luminaire.
E.
Adjoining properties. The maximum illumination at any point on adjoining
properties shall not exceed 0.2 footcandle. The light source shall
not be visible from adjacent properties.
F.
Hours of operation. All outdoor lighting fixtures serving residential
dwellings, except those used for security purposes, shall be turned
off from 11:00 p.m. until dawn.
G.
Security lighting. The average maintained illumination for security
purposes shall be 0.4 footcandle.
H.
Underground installation. All wires and cables shall be underground,
inside of the pole of a pole-mounted fixture or inside an electrical
conduit when wiring is attached to a building. No visible wires shall
be permitted for outdoor lighting.
All light fixtures, except streetlighting maintained by a governmental
authority or that was part of an approved subdivision or site plan,
shall be designed, installed and maintained to prevent light trespass,
as specified below:
A.
Outdoor light fixtures properly installed and thereafter maintained
shall be directed so that there will not be any direct glare source
visible from another property.
The use or installation of the following outdoor light fixtures
is prohibited:
A.
Outdoor lighting fixtures for purposes of private, commercial or
industrial usage shall not be attached or mounted to public property
(i.e., public buildings, utility poles, telephone poles, streetlights,
road or street signs) or to any trees located within a public road
right-of-way.
B.
No outdoor lighting fixtures for purposes of private, commercial
or industrial usage shall be erected within a public road right-of-way
unless approval is obtained from the Township Council.
A.
Construction. All lighting fixtures and mounting structures shall
be constructed in compliance with applicable construction codes.
(1)
Issuance of building permit. No building permit shall be issued
by the Construction Official for any proposed outdoor lighting unless
found to be in accordance with this article.
(2)
Certificate of occupancy. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the Construction Official unless and until proof has been submitted to him/her or her that all proposed outdoor lighting has been installed in compliance with the site plan approval or, in the case of residential dwellings or commercial uses not requiring a site plan, that the outdoor lighting conforms to § 185-129 of this article.
B.
The requirements of this article may be enforced on the basis of
a valid, formal complaint filed in writing with the Planning and Zoning
Department.
C.
Violations. If the Zoning Official determines that an outdoor light is in excess of the standards established by this article, or that artificial light is emanating from inappropriate or misdirected light fixtures not in compliance with the provisions of this article, the Zoning Official shall give written notice by certified mail to the owner or tenant that the outdoor light(s) be returned to good repair, be made to comply or be removed as required by such notice. Noncompliance by the owner or tenant upon whom the notice is served for any violation of the terms and conditions of this article shall be subject to a fine in accordance with procedures established by law at § 185-92.
