Bernardsville City Zoning Code
§ LD-12-12.25
Lighting.
[Added 10-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-1852]
a.
Intent. Standards for lighting in Downtown Bernardsville are necessary to prevent misdirected or excessive artificial light, caused by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures that produce glare, light trespass (nuisance light) and/or unnecessary sky glow; and also, that such regulation is necessary to discourage the waste of electricity and to improve or maintain nighttime public safety, utility and security.
b.
Security Lighting. Where used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways, roadways and parking lots, only shielded light fixtures shall be used.
c.
Commercial Lighting. Where used for commercial purposes such as in merchandise display areas, work areas, platforms, signs, architectural, landscape or sports or recreational facilities, all light fixtures shall be equipped with automatic timing devices and comply with the following:
1.
Light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues or any other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform, shall use a narrow cone beam of light that will not extend beyond the illuminated object.
2.
Other upward directed architectural, landscape or decorative direct light emissions shall have at least 90% of their total distribution pattern within the profile of the illuminated structure.
3.
Externally illuminated signs including commercial building identification or other similar illuminated signs, shall comply with the following:
(a)
Top mounted light fixtures shall be shielded and are preferred.
(b)
When top mounted light fixtures are not feasible, illumination from other positioned light fixtures shall be restricted to the sign area. Visors or other directional control devices shall be used to keep spill light to an absolute minimum.
4.
All other outdoor lighting shall use shielded light fixtures.
d.
Floodlight type fixtures, once properly installed, shall be permanently affixed in the approved position.
e.
Foundations supporting lighting poles not installed four feet behind the curb, shall not be less than 24 inches above ground.
f.
When 50% or more of existing outdoor light fixtures are being replaced or modified, then all lighting must be made to conform to the provisions of this section.
g.
Light Trespass (Nuisance Light). All light fixtures, except street lighting, shall be designed, installed and maintained to prevent light trespass, as specified below:
1.
At a height of five feet above the property line of subject property, illuminations from light fixtures shall not exceed 0.1 foot-candles in a vertical plane on residentially zoned property.
2.
Outdoor light fixtures properly installed and thereafter maintained, shall be directed so that there will not be any objectionable direct glare source visible above a height of five feet from any property or public roadway.
h.
Light fixtures near adjacent property may require special shielding devices to prevent light trespass.
Note: Illustrations for the application of the regulations set forth herein are illustrated in Attachment 3 entitled: "Bernardsville Downtown Zoning District Guidebook." |