It is the purpose and intent of this article to establish regulations and standards which will reduce light pollution generated by residential, commercial and industrial lighting fixtures and devices, minimize light pollution which has a detrimental effect on the environment and the enjoyment of the night sky, reduce and minimize lighting and lighting practices which cause unnecessary illumination of adjacent properties, correct problems of glare and light trespass, reduce vehicular accidents, reduce crime and reduce energy use by promoting energy-efficient and sustainable lighting practices and luminaries.

(Ord. No. 210, § 1(40-630), 10-11-2018)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context otherwise requires. The definitions included in this article may be supplemented by reviewing definitions and standards as promulgated by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America:

ADA means the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC 12101 et seq.

Average maintained illumination levels means the average of a number of points of footcandle calculations or footcandle readings in a given area.

Color rendering index (CRI) means is a quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reveal the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source as determined by the international standard color rendering index.

Color temperature means a measurement of a light's color, measured on the Kelvin scale.

Footcandle means and is equal to one lumen per square foot or approximately 10.764 lux.

Full cutoff/full shield means a luminaire that permits zero intensity at or above horizontal (90 degrees above nadir) and limited to a value not exceeding ten percent of lamp lumens at or above 80 degrees.

Glare means light emitting from a luminaire at an intensity great enough to reduce a viewer's ability to see, and in extreme cases, causing momentary blindness.

IESNA means Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. An organization that recommends standards for the lighting industry.

Light fixture/luminaire means a complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps, and to connect the lamps to the power supply.

Light pollution means the inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light, known as light pollution, can have serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate. Components of light pollution include:

Clutter means bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources.

Glare means excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort.

Light trespass means light falling where it is not desired, intended or needed (e.g., beyond property boundaries, toward the sky, etc.); light spillover.

Skyglow means brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas.

Lumen means a unit of luminous flux in the International System of Units, that is equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of one candela intensity radiating equally in all directions.

Lux means a unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, measuring luminous flux per unit area. It is equal to one lumen per square meter.

Semi-cutoff/semi-shielded means a luminaire that permits an intensity at or above 90 degrees (horizontal) of no more than five percent of lamp lumens and no more than 20 percent at or above 80 degrees.

Uniformity ratios means a description of the smoothness of the lighting pattern or the degree of intensity of light and dark areas in the roadway or area to be lighted. Uniformity is usually expressed as a ratio, such as max to min or average to min the lower the ratio the more uniform the lighting design.

(Ord. No. 210, § 1(40-630), 10-11-2018)

(a)

The requirements in this article shall apply to any light source that is visible from any property line, or beyond, for the site from which the light is emanating. The zoning administrator may review any building or site to determine compliance with the requirements under this article.

(b)

Whenever a person is required to obtain a zoning permit, sign permit, building permit, electrical permit for outdoor lighting or signage, a special land use approval, subdivision approval or site plan approval from the city, the applicant shall submit sufficient information to enable the zoning administrator or planning commission to determine whether the proposed or existing lighting will comply with this article.

(c)

Lighting already in existence at the passage of this article shall be considered legal nonconforming and may not be improved upon, enlarged, modified, replaced, retrofitted or fixed other than regular maintenance without then conforming to the requirements of this article. Existing lighting which causes off site glare or is a nuisance as determined by the zoning administrator shall be re-aimed or retrofitted to bring it within compliance of this article immediately.

(d)

In the event the zoning administrator determines that a nonconforming lighting fixture results in light glare or nuisance the responsible party shall shield, filter, redirect or replace the light with a less intense light source, or remove the light to eliminate the light trespass. Corrective action shall be taken immediately after the zoning administrator's determination.

(Ord. No. 210, § 1(40-631), 10-11-2018)

The following information must be included for all site plan submissions and where site plan approval is not required, some or all of the items may be required at the discretion of the zoning administrator prior to lighting installation:

(1)

Location of all exterior freestanding, building-mounted and canopy light fixtures on the site plan.

(2)

Photometric grid overlaid on the proposed site plan indicating the overall light intensity throughout the site (in footcandles or other mutually agreed upon measurement), information related to the uniformity ratio and information regarding the minimum and maximum proposed horizontal and vertical illuminance and property line light trespass. All light intensity measurements to be done at grade (or other mutually agreed upon location).

(3)

If facade or architectural lighting is proposed, a photometric layout of the building elevations showing light intensity of the building shall be provided.

(4)

Specifications and details for the type of fixture being proposed, including the total lumen output, type of lamp and method of shielding, fixture height, light correlated color temperature and color rendering index.

(5)

Any other information deemed necessary by the zoning administrator to determine compliance with provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 210, § 1(40-631), 10-11-2018)

(a)

General.

(1)

All exterior light fixtures and luminaires shall be fully shielded and directed downward to prevent off-site glare. Fixed (not adjustable), downward directed, high-efficiency lighting shoebox fixtures or recessed canopy fixtures or luminaires shall be used in an effort to maintain a unified lighting standard throughout the city and prevent light pollution.

(2)

Exterior lighting shall be installed in such a manner that the light source will be sufficiently obscured to prevent glare on public roads, and light trespass across property lines in commercial or residential areas.

(3)

The planning commission may approve decorative light fixtures as an alternative to shielded fixtures when it can be proven that there will be no off-site glare or light trespass and the proposed fixtures are necessary to preserve the intended character of the site.

(4)

The intensity of light within a site shall not exceed ten footcandles within any site or one-half (0.5) footcandle at any property line, except where it abuts a service drive or other public right-of-way. Lighting abutting a residential district or use can be a maximum of three-tenths (0.3) footcandles at the property line. The only exception is for gas station canopy and automobile dealership lighting, where a maximum of 20 footcandles is permitted within the site but the above standards shall apply to intensity at the property line.

(5)

The use of laser light source or other similar high intensity light for outdoor advertisement or entertainment is prohibited except where specifically permitted by other city regulation.

(6)

Lighting shall be of a high efficiency design but shall not use sodium vapors.

(7)

Lighting shall have a correlated color temperature of 3000K or higher and a minimum color rendering index of 70.

(8)

Except where used for security purposes, all outdoor lighting fixtures, existing or hereafter installed and maintained upon private property within nonresidential zoning districts shall be turned off or down between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise, except where such business continues after 11:00 p.m., but only for so long as such business continues with employees or customers present. Photosensors or timers shall be utilized to maintain this standard.

(9)

Security lighting shall utilize motion or infrared sensor operation unless otherwise required by state or federal law.

(10)

Parking lots, building entrances and exterior entrance stairways shall maintain the following lighting standards:

(11)

ADA accessible parking spots must maintain a minimum of three footcandles of lighting. All exit doors shall provide exterior emergency lighting.

(12)

External sign lighting and facade or architectural lighting shall utilize fully shielded fixtures and shall face downward towards the ground. The planning commission may permit sideways or upward facing sign or facade or architectural lighting only upon a finding on the record that the proposed lighting shall be fully confined to the sign or facade and shall not project into the sky or cause off site glare.

(13)

Flag or flagpole lighting may utilize upward facing lighting, but that lighting shall be fully shielded or recessed and not be brighter than 2,100 lumens.

(14)

Lighting shall not be of a flashing, moving or intermittent type.

(15)

All exterior lighting shall be properly maintained and remain in good working order.

(16)

Commercial or industrial parking lots which face a single-family residential home or homes shall provide year-round screening between its parking lot area and the single-family residential homes to prevent customer and employee headlights from shining at or into the single-family residential home.

(b)

Freestanding pole lighting.

(1)

The maximum height of parking lot fixtures on freestanding poles shall be 20 feet, except that the planning commission may permit a maximum height of 30 feet within commercial, industrial and office zoning districts and for institutional uses in residential districts when the poles are no closer than 150 feet to a residential district or use.

(2)

Parking lot poles shall be located in parking lot islands or in the periphery parking lot area. Light poles shall not be placed within or between parking spaces except within a parking lot island.

(3)

Electrical lines shall run underground and not overhead.

(c)

Building-mounted and window lighting.

(1)

Luminous tube and exposed bulb fluorescent lighting is prohibited as an architectural detail on all buildings, e.g., along the roof line and eaves, around windows. etc. The planning commission may approve internally illuminated architectural bands when it can be shown that the treatment will enhance the appearance of the building or is necessary for security purposes.

(2)

Any light fixtures visible through a window must be shielded to prevent glare at the property line.

(3)

The internal illumination of building-mounted canopies is prohibited.

(4)

External illumination of signs, canopies and buildings is permitted provided a maximum of no more than 2,100 lumen producing light fixture is utilized and the lighting fixture is shielded to direct all light at the intended target and to avoid producing glare or skyglow.

(d)

Special lighting standards. The following are exempt from the general lighting standards but are subject to the special requirements listed below:

(1)

Sports field and pool lighting under the following conditions:

a.

Lighting must be turned off within 15 minutes of the end of the final game and may not be in use later than 10:00 p.m.

b.

Lighting must be fully or semi-shielded and directed to minimize skyglow and light spill onto adjacent properties.

c.

All efforts possible must be made to minimize any negative impacts to surrounding uses.

(2)

Holiday decorations.

a.

Lighting may only be used on a temporary basis as determined by the zoning administrator.

b.

All efforts possible are made to minimize any negative impacts to surrounding uses.

(3)

Window displays without glare that do not blind or distract pedestrians or traffic, except that they may not be of a flashing, moving or intermittent type.

(4)

Shielded pedestrian walkway lighting.

(5)

Single-family residential lighting with no off-site glare and less than 2,100 lumens.

(6)

Municipal lights used for municipal purposes.

(Ord. No. 210, § 1(40-632), 10-11-2018)

Any person who violates this article shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction. A violation of any of the provisions herein is hereby declared to be a public nuisance per se and may be abated by order of any court of competent jurisdiction. A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during or when a violation occurs or continues.

(Ord. No. 210, § 1(40-633), 10-11-2018)

If any person shall be aggrieved by the action of the zoning administrator with regard to a lighting permit or zoning permit involving lighting; that person may appeal such action in writing to the planning commission. The appeal must be filed within ten days after the date of such action. The planning commission shall consider the appeal at its next regular meeting at which time all parties in interest shall be afforded the opportunity to be heard. The planning commission shall thereafter affirm or reverse the action of the zoning administrator, stating its findings and the reasons for its action and a written copy of such findings, reasons, and action shall be given to the appellant. any person may alternatively seek a variance through the zoning board of appeals.

(Ord. No. 210, § 1(40-634), 10-11-2018)