(a)

Purpose. The purpose of these lighting standards is to:

(1)

Provide adequate lighting for safety and security;

(2)

Reduce light pollution, light trespass, glare, sky glow impacts and offensive light sources;

(3)

Prevent inappropriately aimed or poorly designed or installed exterior lighting;

(4)

Encourage quality lighting design, light fixture shielding, uniform light intensities and lighting controls; and

(5)

Promote efficient and cost-effective lighting to conserve energy.

(b)

Applicability. The lighting standards contained herein shall apply to all exterior lighting, including illumination from outdoor signs, and any interior lighting from buildings or structures that affect the outdoor environment, unless otherwise exempted herein. The following uses shall conform to the requirements of this Division:

(1)

New development. All new development that requires Town approval of a site plan or planned development plan shall conform to the lighting standards set forth in this Division and shall submit a lighting plan in accordance with Section 16-2-830.

(2)

New construction or remodeling. All new construction for which a building permit is required and any remodeling of an existing building or structure for which a building permit is required shall conform to the lighting standards set forth in this Division; provided, however, that compliance with the requirements of this Division is required for a remodel of an existing building or structure only with respect to the remodeled portion of the existing building or structure. The requirements of this Division shall be met prior to a final inspection for any building permit.

(3)

New lighting. All new exterior lighting and interior lighting from buildings or structures that affect the outdoor environment shall conform to the lighting standards set forth in this Division.

(4)

Existing lighting systems. All existing, legally installed and operative nonconforming lighting systems may be continued; provided, however, that compliance with the requirements of this Division is required when a luminaire or any other lighting equipment or part of a lighting system is replaced and an electrical permit is required for such replacement.

(5)

Exemptions. The standards of this Division shall not apply to the following types of exterior lighting:

a.

Holiday lights: Holiday lights on residential and nonresidential properties.

b.

Aviation lighting: Lighting used exclusively for aviation purposes. All heliport lighting shall be turned off when the heliport is not in use.

c.

Public safety lighting. Lighting required for public safety which includes: lighting within the right-of-way; emergency repairs within the right-of-way; and lighting installed by a governmental entity for the purposes of health, safety and welfare.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014; Ord. 728-21, §1, 7-13-2021)

Search, blinking, pulsating, flashing, changing intensity, strobe, beacon and laser lights are all prohibited from use.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014)

When a lighting plan is required as part of a site plan or final development plan, an applicant shall comply with submittal requirements for those plans as set forth in the Applicant Guide. When an application is not part of a formal subdivision or zoning application and is being processed through the site plan process, the applicant must submit a light plan that complies with the requirements set forth in the Applicant Guide. If the Zoning Administrator determines that the proposed lighting plan does not comply with this Section, the plan shall not be approved and the building permit shall not be issued.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014)

Lighting shall meet the following design standards:

(1)

Lighting zones: Pursuant to Section 16-2-860, all zoning districts within the Town are placed within one (1) of two (2) lighting zones. Lighting within the lighting zones shall comply with the allowable light levels, light trespass levels, light pole heights and curfew requirements set forth in Table 2-16.

(2)

Shielding requirements: The illumination from an exterior lamp shall be a full cut-off fixture and fully shielded from view from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, except as otherwise permitted herein. Fixtures shall meet the definitions for fully shielded and full cut-off as defined in Division 2 of this Article.

(3)

Side shields: Any exterior light fixture located within fifteen (15) feet of a property line of a residential zoning district or an existing residential use or within ten (10) feet of a public right-of-way shall provide side shields on the sides facing the property line, residential use, or public right-of-way, as applicable.

(4)

Light from buildings: The luminance levels at building entrances and windows may exceed the maximum allowed (see Table 2-16) by one hundred percent (100%) of the site lighting to a distance of five (5) feet from the building in order to accommodate light spillage from within the building and light from window signage (example: a convenience store).

(5)

Illuminating signs: In addition to compliance with Article III of this Chapter, all signs shall comply with the following lighting standards:

a.

Internally illuminated signs:

i.

Luminous intensity shall be limited to a maximum of 0.3 foot candles between dusk to dawn as measured from the sign's face.

b.

Externally illuminated signs:

i.

All light must be aimed directly onto the sign. No sign shall be illuminated with fixtures that provide unshielded upward transmission of light.

ii.

The total initial horizontal luminance level from external light sources shining on a sign shall not exceed eighty (80) lumens per square foot of sign face.

(6)

Canopy lighting: Lighting fixtures mounted on canopies are permitted in non-residential zoning districts only and shall be installed such that the bottom of the light fixture or its lens, whichever is lower, is recessed or mounted flush with the bottom surface of the canopy and parallel to the ground. Full cut-off light fixtures with side shields may project below the underside of a canopy. All light emitted by an under-canopy fixture shall be substantially confined to the ground surface directly beneath the perimeter of the canopy.

(7)

Flag poles: A flag may be illuminated by one (1) upward or downward aimed and shielded spotlight light fixture which shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) lumens. Flag pole lighting is exempt from the curfew limitations set forth in Section 16-2-850. The light source from the fixture, whether aimed upward or downward, must be shielded such that it is not visible from adjacent properties.

(8)

Motion sensors: Motion sensor activations shall be permitted so long as the sensor is triggered by motion within the owner's property lines. The Zoning Administrator may grant exceptions to this requirement pursuant to Section 16-2-880.

(9)

Architectural and landscape lighting: All light must be aimed directly onto the surface intended to receive the light source. All light fixtures shall be shielded and any uplighting on buildings may be permitted provided that no luminance escapes the facade. Building facades may be illuminated with a maximum of eight (8) lumens per square foot of the area intended to receive the light source.

(10)

Recreational facilities: The maximum initial horizontal illumination for recreational facilities shall be the lesser of fifty (50) f.c. or the IESNA standards for the specific recreational facility. Lighting for parking lots and pedestrian areas shall be a maximum of five (5) f.c. All exterior lights shall be extinguished by 10:00 p.m. or immediately after the conclusion of the final event of the day. Lighting for security shall comply with Table 2-16.

(11)

Single-family detached dwellings:

a.

Full cut-off fixtures must be utilized for exterior lighting of single-family detached dwellings in order to direct light emissions down onto the site and not shine direct illumination or glare onto adjacent properties.

b.

The curfew requirements set forth in Section 16-2-850 do not apply to single-family detached dwellings.

(12)

Right-of-way lighting: Lighting located within the public right-of-way shall comply with the definition of full cut-off as defined in Division 2 of this Article.

(13)

Design requirements. The style, color and design of the fixtures shall be compatible with the overall design concept and use of materials for the building, site and area of the lighting plan. Individual sites or projects shall use a consistent lamp source for uniformity in light color and intensity.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014; Ord. 728-21, §2, 7-13-2021)

All nonresidential light fixtures shall be subject to the following curfew: all exterior lighting fixtures, except the minimum necessary for security, shall be extinguished by 10:00 p.m. or within one (1) hour after the close of the facility, whichever is later, and remain extinguished until dawn, or one (1) hour prior to the commencement of business, whichever is earlier. Lights during pre- and post-curfew hours shall be operated as follows:

(1)

Pre-curfew: Pre-curfew light levels shall meet the standards set forth in this Division.

(2)

Post-curfew: Post-curfew light levels necessary for security shall comply with the standards set forth in Table 2-16. Motion sensors may be used for lighting fixtures not needed for constant security lighting.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014)

Lighting Zones are designated as follows:

(1)

Lighting Zone 1: Low and moderate ambient lighting. Areas where lighting might adversely affect flora and fauna or disturb the character of the area. The vision of human residents and users is adapted to low to moderate light levels. Lighting may be used for safety, security, convenience, decorative or architectural detailed as described herein.

(2)

Lighting Zone 2: Moderately high ambient lighting. Areas of human activity where the vision of human residents and users is adapted to moderately high light levels. Lighting is generally desired for safety, security or convenience and it is often uniform or continuous.

(3)

Table 2-16 specifies the zoning districts within, and applicable to, each Lighting Zone:

Table 2.16
Lighting Zone Criteria

* Security levels shall mean one (1) or more of the following techniques: (a) fifty percent (50%) reduction in lighting equipment; (b) motion sensors for lighting fixtures not needed for constant security lighting; or (c) site specific lighting such as lighting a trash dumpster, pay phone, or employee entrance.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014)

Light fixtures shall be installed and maintained in a manner consistent with the lighting plan approved by the Town. The property owners and occupants shall be jointly responsible for the proper maintenance of the lighting fixtures and equipment on their property. Landscaping improvements shall be maintained as required by Section 16-2-780 in order eliminate conflicts between lighting fixtures and mature landscaping.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014)

(a)

Criteria: The Zoning Administrator may grant an exception from the provisions of this Division if:

(1)

The proposed exception is based upon a specific hardship that is unique to the site, is not self-inflicted by the property owner and is directly attributable to existing topographical or other site conditions that do not allow the applicant to satisfy the requirements of this Division;

(2)

The proposed exception shall at no time allow proposed light levels to exceed maximum lumen limits; and

(3)

The proposed exception does not conflict with the overall intent of this Division to eliminate glare, light pollution and light trespass.

(b)

Equivalent material: The Zoning Administrator may approve any alternative design, material or method, provided that it provides an approximate equivalent method of satisfying these standards and complies with IESNA recommendations.

(c)

Conditions. In granting any exception pursuant to this Section, the Zoning Administrator may impose reasonable conditions to further the purpose of this Division.

(Ord. 646-14 §1(Exh. A), 12-9-2014)