(a)
Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this section is to:
(1)
Provide adequate lighting in public spaces to ensure safety.
(2)
Reduce the problems created by improperly designed and installed
outdoor lighting.
(3)
Eliminate problems of glare on operators of motor vehicles, pedestrians,
and land uses.
(4)
Minimize light trespass and light pollution.
(5)
Reduce energy and financial costs of outdoor lighting by establishing
regulations that limit the area onto which certain kinds of outdoor
lighting fixtures may illuminate.
(6)
Preserve the night sky as a natural resource and people’s enjoyment
of looking at the sky and stars.
(b)
Enforcement.
The director of development services or
his designee is hereby empowered and directed to administer and enforce
the provisions of this section relating to outdoor lighting.
(c)
Applicability.
(1)
New uses, buildings and additions.
All proposed new
land uses or change of uses, developments, buildings, structures,
or building additions of thirty percent (30%) or more in terms of
additional dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity, or
other expansion, either with a single addition or cumulative additions
subsequent to the effective date of this provision, shall meet the
requirements of this code for the entire property. For all building
additions of less than thirty percent (30%) cumulative, the applicant
shall only have to meet the requirements of this code for any new
outdoor lighting provided.
(2)
Nonconforming use change.
Whenever a nonconforming use, structure, or lot is abandoned for a period of 180 consecutive days and then changed to a new use according to the requirements of section 14.03.601, new and unlisted uses of the zoning ordinance, then any existing outdoor lighting shall be reviewed and brought into compliance as necessary for the entire building, structure or premises, to the maximum extent possible as determined by the director.
(3)
Prior to code adoption.
Exterior lighting luminaries
in existence on the effective date of this ordinance adoption shall
be considered “legally nonconforming.” Such fixtures may
be repaired, maintained and replaced. The nonconforming bulbs within
a fixture shall be replaced in conformance with this section. However,
exterior lighting luminaries existing on the effective date of this
ordinance adoption that are located on private non-residentially used
property and are found to direct light or glare to residential properties
may be declared a public nuisance if the level of illumination on
residential property, which is caused by the luminaries, is greater
than one-quarter (1/4) footcandle. Such fixtures shall be altered
or replaced to reduce the level of illumination on the residential
property to a one-quarter (1/4) footcandle within two (2) months of
receiving a written notice of the violation from the city.
(4)
Fixture abandonment or damage.
In the event that an
outdoor lighting fixture is abandoned or is damaged to the point of
requiring repairs for safe operation, the repaired or replacement
fixture shall comply with all the provisions of this code.
(Ordinance 2019-42 adopted 10/8/19)
The following standards shall apply to all exterior lighting
except public street lighting and other lighting that is specifically
exempted by this section.
(1)
Illumination levels.
(A)
Multifamily residential uses should average no more than three (3)
footcandles, with a maximum of ten (10) footcandles.
(B)
Non-residential uses, including parking lots, should average no more
than six (6) footcandles, with a maximum of fifteen (15) footcandles.
(C)
Lighting under canopies (such as service stations) and car dealerships
shall not exceed forty (40) footcandles. The remainder of the property
shall comply with non-residential standards, above.
(D)
Each new development shall adequately illuminate all public parking,
site entrances, and pedestrian areas, including perimeter sidewalks
at all times, even if the primary use is a day-time only use.
(E)
The illumination levels contained in the Illuminating Engineering
Society of North America Lighting Handbook, as amended from time to
time, shall be used as a guide for providing minimum and safe illumination
levels and measurement methods.
(2)
Spill-over.
The limit of illumination on neighboring
property from one establishment shall be based on the zoning and/or
use of the neighboring property. Maximum computed maintained and maximum
measured footcandles at the neighboring property line shall not exceed:
(A)
Zero (0) footcandle for single-family residential attached and single-family
detached districts.
(B)
Three (3) footcandles for multifamily, commercial, agricultural,
and industrial districts and rights-of-way.
(C)
Exception: Illumination at interior property lines on contiguous
lots in a multi-tenant, non-residential development may exceed the
above criteria when necessary to provide constant lighting of adjoining
parking areas, fire lanes and interior access roadways as determined
by the director.
(D)
When a dispute arises regarding the district/use of an adjoining
property and the allowed spill-over, the director’s decision
shall be binding.
(3)
Light pole standards.
(A)
Height.
Lighting standards (i.e. poles) shall be sized
in such a manner that the top of any luminary does not exceed thirty
(30) feet above adjacent grade. Lighting standards in Industrial zoned
districts may be thirty-five (35) feet in height. However, where any
industrial, multifamily, or non-residential district light poles are
located within 100 feet of a residential district or use, the maximum
allowed height is twenty (20) feet. Within the OT, old town zoning
district, the maximum permitted pole height is twenty (20) feet.
(B)
Parking lot light poles.
All freestanding parking lot
light poles shall have a maximum six (6) inch tall metal base. If
a larger base is proposed, it shall be clad in masonry that matches
the adjacent structures. All parking lot poles shall be placed within
a landscaped area or other raised bed to distinguish it from the parking
spaces and minimize vehicle contact.
(4)
Light sources.
(A)
Light sources or luminaries are prohibited in landscaped buffer areas
and within required setback yard areas except on pedestrian walkways,
hike and bike trails, and at site entrances.
(B)
Light for outdoor advertising shall be designed to function as full cutoff-type of luminaries. Lighting intended for outdoor advertising shall be directed downward. The temporary use of lasers and spotlights that project light into the sky may be allowed, subject to the restrictions of temporary outdoor lighting in section 14.04.503, temporary outdoor lighting, below.
(C)
All luminaries located on non-residential properties shall be designed
so that the light source (bulb or lamp) is completely shielded from
direct view of at a point three (3) feet above grade on the lot line
abutting a residential property. In all other instances, the light
source must be completely shielded from direct view of at a point
five (5) feet above grade at the lot line.
(D)
All luminaries and light sources subject to this section shall be
maintained and kept in good working order.
(E)
Wall lighting may be used to illuminate the pedestrian walkways,
entrance areas, and yard areas within thirty (30) feet of the building.
No roof lighting shall be used.
(F)
All luminaries mounted on walls or on freestanding poles must be
shielded and be directed downward.
(G)
Externally illuminated signs, advertising displays, billboards, building
identification, and monument signs shall use top mounted light fixtures
that shine light downward and that are fully shielded or upward with
pin-pointed light which are fully shielded.
(H)
Outdoor light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues, or any
other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal, or platform shall use a
very narrow cone of light for the purpose of confining the light to
the object of interest and minimize spill-light and glare.
(I)
Lighting within or around commercial windows meant to draw attention
to the business is prohibited.
(J)
Building facades and architectural features of buildings may be floodlighted
or otherwise highlighted when the following conditions are met:
(i)
Floodlight fixtures are equipped with shields and are located so
as to limit the fixture’s direct light distribution to the facade
or feature being illuminated;
(ii)
The configuration of the floodlight installation shall block
all view to the floodlight fixture’s lamp from adjacent properties;
and
(iii)
The maximum luminance of any floodlighted surface does not exceed
the footcandles specified in the Illuminating Engineering Society
of North America Lighting Handbook for floodlighting surfaces.
(K)
All exterior lighting shall be LED.
(Ordinance 2019-42 adopted 10/8/19)
Any temporary outdoor lighting that conforms to the requirements
of this section shall be allowed. Non-conforming temporary outdoor
lighting may be permitted by the director only as part of a valid
special events permit.
(Ordinance 2019-42 adopted 10/8/19)
(a)
Exterior lighting plan.
A photometric plan illustrating
the exterior lighting that is proposed or modified shall be submitted
to the development services department. The submission shall contain,
but not be limited to the following:
(1)
Plans indicating the location of the exterior lighting on the premises,
and the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors,
and other devices;
(2)
Description of the illuminating devices (including a visual depiction),
fixtures, pole heights, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other devices
including, but not limited to, catalog cuts by manufacturers and drawings
(including sections where required).
(3)
The photometric plan shall include a table which indicates the average
footcandle measurement, the maximum footcandle measurement (at any
hot spots), and the footcandle measurement at the property line.
(b)
Preparation of the photometric plan.
A certified engineer,
architect, landscape architect, or lighting engineer/designer shall
prepare the plan. The plan shall also contain a certification by the
property owner or agent and the preparer of the plan that the exterior
lighting depicted on the plan will comply with the requirements of
this ordinance after installation. Once the plan is approved by the
development services staff, the exterior lighting of the property
shall be constructed and installed according to the approved plan.
(c)
Additional submission.
The above required plans, descriptions
and data shall be sufficiently complete to enable the reviewer to
readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this
section will be secured. If such plans, descriptions and data cannot
enable this ready determination, by reason of the nature or configuration
or the devices, fixtures, or lamps proposed, the applicant shall additionally
submit as evidence of compliance to enable such determination such
certified reports of tests as will do so provided that these tests
shall have been performed and certified by a recognized testing laboratory.
(Ordinance 2019-42 adopted 10/8/19)
The following are prohibited within the city:
(1)
Design of lighting.
(A)
“Cobra head” type lighting fixtures that are not shielded
and having dished or “drop” lenses or refractors which
house light sources other than incandescent light sources.
(B)
Unshielded light sources, including bare bulbs above fifteen (15)
watts.
(C)
“Acorn” lighting.
(D)
Decorative entrance lights mounted on a wall adjacent to doorways
may be allowed by the director in spite of not meeting the design
requirements listed herein.
(Ordinance 2019-42 adopted 10/8/19)
The following are exempt from the standards contained in this
ordinance:
(1)
Decorative seasonal lighting.
The decorative seasonal
lights shall be removed within a reasonable and customary time.
(2)
Lighting for single-family detached or single-family attached.
(A)
The lamps have a power rating of less than or equal to seventy-five
(75) watts;
(B)
A cutoff component is incorporated in the design of the luminaries;
(C)
The lighting level at the property line shall not exceed the maximum
level specified within this section; and
(D)
The maximum lighting level at the property line may be exceeded in
cases where the lamp is turned on and off by a motion sensor and the
lamp is not on for a continuous period exceeding ten (10) minutes.
(3)
Residential party lights for social gatherings.
Such
temporary outdoor lighting includes, but are not limited to, strings
of lights and lanterns.
(4)
Translucent signs.
Signs of the type constructed of
translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within are exempt
from the shielding requirement.
(5)
Emergency lighting.
Temporary emergency lighting used
by police, fire fighters, or other emergency services, as well as
all vehicular luminaries. Hazard warning luminaries, which are required
by federal and state regulatory agencies.
(6)
Outdoor sports fields.
Because of their unique requirement
for nighttime visibility and their limited hours of operations, public
and commercial ball diamonds, playing fields, and tennis courts are
exempt from the general standards of this section. Private ball diamonds,
playing fields, and tennis courts on a single-family lot built as
an accessory use to the home on that lot are subject to the requirements
of this section. Lighting for these public and commercial outdoor
recreational uses shall be LED and shielded to minimize light and
glare from spilling over onto residential properties.
(7)
Exceptions.
The city may vary from these requirements
for any municipal project or purpose.
(Ordinance 2019-42 adopted 10/8/19)
