The purpose of this chapter is to control light spillage and glare so as not to adversely affect motorists, pedestrians, and land uses of adjacent properties. Lighting intensities should be controlled to assure that excessive light spillage and glare are not directed at adjacent properties, neighboring areas, and motorists.

Levels of illumination to achieve a certain function or desired effect should also reduce or eliminate the hazardous aspects and nuisance of glare and light spillage. All exterior lighting, with the exception of street lighting, that is used around buildings, recreation areas, parking lots, and signs, shall be designed to protect against the spillage of light to adjacent properties.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

All outdoor lighting shall conform to the following standards:

1. A.
   Outdoor lighting shall not shine directly into the yard or into the windows of an adjacent residence.
2. B.
   Outdoor lighting shall be designed, located, and mounted at heights no greater than 18 feet above grade for pedestrian lights, or 35 feet above grade for street or parking area lights.
3. C.
   Light sources may be located within the perimeter landscaped area and along pedestrian walkways providing provision Subsection 11.2.E is met.
4. D.
   All outdoor and parking lot lighting fixtures, including: metal halide, mercury vapor, fluorescent, induction, white high-pressure sodium and color-improved high-pressure sodium lamps used in non-cutoff fixtures shall be coated with an internal white frosting inside the outer lamp envelope.
5. E.
   All lighting must be located at least ten feet from property lines defining rear and side yards or required perimeter landscaped areas required by this Code.
6. F.
   All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the maximum illumination measured in foot-candles at the property line shall not exceed one foot candle. The average intensity illumination for outdoor lighting shall not exceed four foot candles in intensity (except where noted) as measured at grade. Fixtures should be placed to provide uniform distribution of light and to avoid intense lighting that produces excessive glare. General parking lot lighting shall not exceed a maintained average of two and one-half foot-candles.
7. G.
   Lighting fixtures scaled for pedestrian activities shall provide for uniform lighting distribution to produce minimal shadows.
8. H.
   Floodlights, spotlights or any other similar lighting shall not be used to illuminate buildings or other site features unless approved as an integral architectural element on the development plan. On site lighting may be used to accent architectural elements and not be used to illuminate entire portions of building(s). Floodlights or other type of lighting attached to light poles that illuminate the site and/or building(s) are prohibited.
9. I.
   Outdoor illumination of building, landscaping and signs:

   1. 1.
      Exterior lighting should be integrated with the architectural character of the building. To avoid light spillage, only full cutoff fixtures shall be used.
   2. 2.
      The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building or landscaping is prohibited.
   3. 3.
      Lighting fixtures used to illuminate an outdoor advertising sign either shall be by directed ground lighting sign or mounted on the top of the sign and shall point downward, and shall comply with shielding requirements.
   4. 4.
      Illumination of signs shall be limited to ten lumens per square foot.
10. J.
    No flickering, rotating, or flashing lights, or search lights shall be permitted.
11. K.
    Wall packs on buildings may be used at entrances to a building to light unsafe areas. They are not intended to draw attention to the building or provide general building or site lighting. Wall Packs on the exterior of the building shall be fully shielded (true cut-off type-bulb or light source not visible from off-site) to direct the light downward and be of low wattage (preferably 100 watts or lower). Other accent lighting projected onto buildings may be allowed provided that it is approved through the development plan process.
12. L.
    Gas station/convenience store aprons and canopies:

    1. 1.
       The lighting fixture bulbs shall be recessed into a canopy ceiling so that the bottom of the fixture is flush with the ceiling so that light is restrained to no more than 85 degrees from vertical.
    2. 2.
       As an alternative to recessed ceiling lights, indirect lighting may be used where the light is directed upward and then reflected down from the underside of the canopy. In this case, light fixtures shall be shielded so that direct illumination is focused exclusively on the underside of the canopy.
    3. 3.
       Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides (facia) of the canopy, and the sides of the canopy shall not be externally illuminated.
    4. 4.
       The lighting for new facilities (pump islands and under canopies) shall have a minimum of 1.0 foot-candle at grade and not exceed the average horizontal illumination cannot exceed 10 foot-candles at grade level. These standards are based on the IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) RP-33, Lighting for Exterior Environments.
13. M.
    Canopies used for building accents over doors, windows, etc. shall not be internally lit (i.e. from underneath or behind the canopy).

( Ord. No. 2020-34 , § 1(Exh. A), 12-7-20)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

The maximum permitted illumination shall be measured in average foot-candles from ground level in accordance to the standards expressed in this chapter. The following standards shall be required of all exterior lighting with the exception of public street lighting.

The quantity of fixtures to be provided shall be based upon the desired level of uniform illumination as established by the current standards of the IESNA. Fixture locations should be chosen to minimize the hazards of glare.

The level of illumination shall be based upon the primary activity in each area to be lighted. The standards for various activities prescribed by the following Illuminating Engineering Society chart represent a number of exterior lighting uses for general reference. Foot-candle designations represent measurements for the average intensity at grade.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Because of their unique requirements for nighttime visibility and limited hours of operation, the lighting of active recreation areas, such as for ball fields and tennis courts are not considered in this chapter. However, lighting fixtures for such uses shall be mounted and aimed so that the illumination falls within the primary playing area and immediate surroundings so that no direct light illumination is directed off site. Lights shall be turned off within of the end of any event.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Street lighting shall be placed on all streets by the developer to ensure for the safe use of streets by both cars and pedestrians. All street lighting shall be placed in accordance with the following minimum design standards:

1. A.
   Minimum average street light spacing:

   1. 1.
      Single family homes and duplex lots (greater than 100 feet wide): 500 feet.
   2. 2.
      Single family homes and duplex lots (less than 100 feet wide): 300 feet.
   3. 3.
      Multi-family uses: 150 feet.
   4. 4.
      All other uses: 300 feet.
2. B.
   Preference in placement shall be given to street intersections and street curves.
3. C.
   Pedestrian lighting should be prioritized over automobile lighting. Lighting should be placed in a manner to limit the casting of shadows on sidewalks.
4. D.
   All lighting shall utilize full-cut-off fixture.
5. E.
   Alleys are excluded from the spacing and placing requirements of this chapter but are encouraged to be illuminated using private security lights, wall packs, or similar low level decorative lighting.
6. F.
   The requirement that street lights be provided may be waived by the approving authority in mountainous areas where street lights would be visible from the valley floor.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   Measurement: Light level measurements shall be made at the property line of the property upon which the light to be measured is being generated. If measurement on private property is not possible or practical, light level measurements may be made at the boundary of the public street right-of-way that adjoins the property. Measurements shall be made at finished grade (ground level), with the light-registering portion of the meter held parallel to the ground and pointing upward. Lighting levels are to be measured in foot-candles with a direct reading, portable light meter. The meter sensor shall be mounted not more than six inches above ground level in a horizontal position.

   Light levels are specified, calculated and measured in foot-candles (FC). 

2. B.
   Lighting plan:

   1. 1.
      A lighting plan shall be submitted with all land development permit applications proposing the establishment of outdoor lighting.

      1. a.
         A site plan drawn to scale showing building(s), landscaping, parking areas, and proposed exterior lighting fixtures.
      2. b.
         Location of all post, canopy, supports, and light fixtures, including the height of each fixture, for any building, structure, parking, display and loading areas.
      3. c.
         Specifications of the illuminating devices, lamps, supports, and other Devices, including designation as IESNA "cut-off" fixtures. This description may include but is not limited to manufacturers catalog cuts, enlarged or reduced to the correct scale of the site plan, and drawings including sections where required.
      4. d.
         Locations of all pole mounted and building mounted fixtures and a numerical 25-foot by 25-foot grid of lighting levels, in foot-candles, that the fixtures will produce on the ground (photometric report). The photometric report will indicate the minimum and maximum foot-candle levels within the lighted area of the site. The minimum (lowest number) is usually at the outer edges of the illuminated area or between two fixtures. The average light level is determined by adding the foot-candle value of all the points in the grid and dividing by the total number of points. This information is available from the manufacturer of the specified fixture.
   2. 2.
      The above required plans and descriptions shall be sufficiently complete to enable the administrator to readily determine compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
   3. 3.
      An isolux lighting plan is also permitted in fulfillment of this section provided that it indicates the foot-candles at grade by contour diagram or grid points that cover the site as noted in Section 17.10 (Lighting Plan Requirements).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   The following types of lighting are exempt from these requirements:

   1. 1.
      Lighting of the United States of America or State of North Carolina flags and other non-commercial flags expressing constitutionally protected speech.
   2. 2.
      Circus, fair, carnival, or other similar civic/community events.
   3. 3.
      Construction and emergency lighting are exempt from the provisions of this chapter provided said lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency necessitating said lighting.
   4. 4.
      Underwater lighting used for illumination of swimming pools and fountains is exempt from shielding standards.
   5. 5.
      Religious/holiday decorations lighting (i.e. Christmas trees and lighting).

Effective on: 1/1/1901