The purpose of this article is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public by recognizing that buildings and sites need to be illuminated for safety, security and visibility for pedestrians and motorists. To do so, this article provides standards for various forms of lighting that will: minimize light pollution; maintain safe night-time drive performance on public roadways; preserve the restful quality of nighttime by eliminating intrusive artificial light and lighting that unnecessarily contributes to "sky glow"; reduce light pollution and light trespass from light sources onto adjacent properties; conservation of electrical energy; and curtail the degradation of the night-time visual environment.

(Ord. of 9-5-2006)

The standards 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 building official/city manager may review any building or site to determine compliance with the requirements under this article. Whenever a person is required to obtain a 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 building official/city manager and/or planning commission to determine whether the proposed lighting will comply with this article.

(Ord. of 9-5-2006)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Canopy structure. Any overhead protective structure which is constructed in such a manner as to allow pedestrians/vehicles to pass under.

Flood or spot light. Any light fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector or refractor to concentrate the light output into a directed beam in a particular direction.

Glare. Direct light emitted by a lamp, luminous tube lighting or other light source.

Lamp. The component of the luminaire that produces the actual light including luminous tube lighting.

Light fixture. The assembly that holds a lamp and may include an assembly housing, a mounting bracket or pole socket, a lamp holder, a ballast, a reflector or mirror, and a refractor or lens. A light fixture also includes the assembly for luminous tube and fluorescent lighting.

Light pollution. Artificial light which causes a detrimental effect on the environment, enjoyment of the night sky or causes undesirable glare or unnecessary illumination of adjacent properties.

Light trespass. The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located.

Luminaire. The complete lighting system including the lamp and light fixture.

Luminous tube lighting. Gas-filled tubing which, when subjected to high voltage, becomes luminescent in a color characteristic of the particular gas used, e.g. neon, argon, etc.

Outdoor light fixtures. Outdoor artificial illuminating devices, outdoor fixtures, lamps and other similar devices, permanently installed or portable, used for flood lighting, general illumination or advertisement.

Shielded fixture. Outdoor light fixtures, shielded or constructed so that light rays emitted by the fixture are projected below the horizontal plane passing through the lowest point on the fixture from which light is emitted, e.g. "shoebox-type" fixtures. A luminaire mounted in a recessed fashion under a canopy or other structure such that the surrounding structure effectively shields the light in the same manner is also considered fully shielded for the purposes of this article.

(Ord. of 9-5-2006)

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 by the building official/city manager prior to lighting installation.

(a)

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

(b)

Photometric grid overlaid on the proposed site plan indicating the overall light intensity throughout the site (in footcandles).

(c)

Specifications and details for the type of fixture being proposed including the total lumen output, type of lamp and method of shielding.

(d)

Use of the fixture proposed.

(e)

Any other information deemed necessary by the building official/city manager to determine compliance with provisions of this article.

(Ord. of 9-5-2006)

Unless exempted under section 52-506, Exemptions, all lighting must comply with the following standards:

(1)

Freestanding pole lighting and canopy lighting.

a.

Exterior lighting shall be fully shielded and directed downward to prevent off-site glare. The intensity of light within a site shall not exceed ten footcandles within any site or one footcandle at any property line, except where it abuts a residential district or use whereby a maximum of 0.5 footcandles is permitted.

b.

The only exception is with 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.

c.

LED fixtures shall be used in an effort to maintain a unified lighting standard throughout the city and prevent "sky glow."

d.

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 and the proposed fixtures are necessary to preserve the intended character of the site.

e.

The maximum height of parking lot light fixtures shall be 20 feet, except that the planning commission may permit a maximum height of 30 feet or when the poles are no closer than 150 feet to a residential district or use.

f.

Except where used for security purposes, all outdoor lighting fixtures, existing or hereafter installed and maintained upon private property within commercial, industrial and office zoning districts shall be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise, except when used for commercial and industrial uses, such as in sales, assembly and repair areas, where such use continues after 11:00 p.m. but only for so long as such use continues.

(2)

Building-mounted lighting.

a.

Building-mounted lighting shall be fully shielded and directed downward to prevent off-site glare. The intensity of light shall not exceed ten footcandles within any site or one footcandle at any property line, except where it abuts a residential district or use whereby a maximum of 0.5 footcandles is permitted at the property line.

b.

LED fixtures shall be used in an effort to maintain a unified lighting standard throughout the city and prevent "sky glow."

c.

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 and the proposed fixtures will improve the appearance of the site.

d.

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.

(3)

Window lighting.

a.

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

b.

Luminous tube and exposed bulb fluorescent lighting (visible from the property line) is prohibited unless it is part of a sign that meets the requirements of article IX, signs, of this chapter.

(4)

Other lighting.

a.

The internal illumination of building-mounted canopies is prohibited.

b.

Indirect illumination of signs, canopies and buildings is permitted provided a maximum 125-watt bulb is utilized and there is no glare.

c.

The use of laser light source, search lights or any similar high-intensity light for outdoor advertisement or entertainment is prohibited.

d.

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

e.

Luminous tube and exposed bulb fluorescent lighting is permitted as part of a sign meeting the requirements of article IX, signs, of this chapter.

(Ord. of 9-5-2006; Ord. No. 2021-005, 9-7-2021)

The following are exempt from the lighting requirements of this article, except that the building official/city manager may take steps to eliminate the impact of the above exempted items when deemed necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

(a)

Sports fields.

(b)

Swimming pools.

(c)

Holiday decorations.

(d)

Window displays without glare.

(e)

Shielded pedestrian walkway lighting.

(f)

Soffit lighting.

(g)

Residential lighting with no off-site glare.

(h)

Street lights.

(Ord. of 9-5-2006)

Should any light fixture regulated under this article, or the type of light source therein, be changed after the permit has been issued, a change request must be submitted to the building official/city manager for his approval, together with adequate information to assure compliance with this chapter, which must be received prior to substitution.

(Ord. of 9-5-2006)