Outdoor lighting at night benefits everyone. It increases safety, enhances the town's nighttime character, and helps provide security. New technologies have produced lights that are extremely powerful. If installed improperly, such lights create excessive glare, light trespass and pollute the night sky, and higher energy use which in turn may cause safety problems and increased cost for everyone. There is need for a lighting ordinance that recognizes the benefit of the outdoor lighting and provides clear guidelines for its installation to maintain and complement the town's character. Appropriately regulated and properly installed outdoor lighting will contribute to the safety and welfare of the residents of Corinne City.

(Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 25-01, 2-18-2025)

   A.   Conformance To Chapter: All exterior outdoor lighting installed after the effective date hereof in any and all zones in the town shall conform to the requirements established by this chapter and any other applicable ordinances unless otherwise exempted. This chapter does not apply to indoor lighting.

   B.   Law Governing Conflicts: Should this chapter be found to be in conflict with any provisions of federal, state, county or town statutes, codes, or other sections of the town ordinances, the more restrictive shall govern unless otherwise required by law.

(Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 25-01, 2-18-2025)

   All outdoor electrically powered illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of the Corinne City ordinances.

(Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 25-01, 2-18-2025)

All outdoor lighting installed in the town of Corinne City shall be in conformance with the requirements established by this chapter. All previous language in this code requiring outdoor lighting is replaced with this chapter.

   A.   Control Of Glare/Design Factors:

      1.   Any lights with a lamp rated at a total of more than one thousand eight hundred (1,800) lumens, and all flood or spot lights with a lamp or lamps rated at a total of more than nine hundred (900) lumens shall not emit any direct light above a horizontal plane through the lowest direct light emitting part of the lights.

      2.   Any lights with a lamp or lamps rated at a total more than one thousand eight hundred (1,800) lumens, and all flood or spot lights with a lamp or lamps rated at a total of more than nine hundred (900) lumens, shall be mounted at a height equal to or less than the value 3+(D/3), where D is the distance in feet to the nearest property boundary. The maximum height of the lights may not exceed twenty five feet (25').

   B.   Exceptions To Control Glare:

      1.   Any lights with a lamp or lamps rated at a total of one thousand eight hundred (1,800) lumens or less, and all flood or spot lights with a lamp or lamps rated at nine hundred (900) lumens or less, may be used without restrictions on light distribution or mounting heights, except that if any spot of flood lights rated nine hundred (900) lumens or less are aimed, directed, or focused such as to cause direct light from the luminaries to be directed toward residential buildings or adjacent or nearby land, or creates glare perceptible to persons operating motor vehicles on a public right of way, the lights shall be redirected or their light output controlled as necessary to eliminate such conditions.

      2.   Lights used for public roadway illumination may be installed at a maximum height of thirty four feet (34') and may be positioned at that height up to the edge of any bordering property.

      3.   Lights used primarily for sign illumination and property illumination may be mounted at any height to a maximum of twenty five feet (25'), regardless of the lumen rating.

   C.   Outdoor Advertising:

      1.   Mounting: Lighting fixtures used to illuminate an outdoor advertising sign shall be mounted on the top of the sign structure. Bottom mounted outdoor advertising sign lighting shall not be used.

      2.   Lamp Wattage: Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. Dark backgrounds with light lettering or symbols are preferred to minimize detrimental effects. Unless conforming to the above dark background preference, total lamp wattage per property shall be less than forty one (41) watts.

      3.   Compliance Limit: Existing outdoor advertising structures shall be brought into conformance with this chapter when it becomes necessary to make major repairs (new permit) to the signage.

   D.   Recreational Facilities:

      1.   Any light source permitted by this chapter may be used for lighting of outdoor recreational facilities (public or private), such as, but not limited to, football fields, soccer fields, baseball fields, softball fields, tennis courts, or show areas, provided all of the following conditions are met:

         a.   All fixtures used for the event lighting shall be fully shielded and be designed or provided with sharp cutoff capability so as to maximize uplight, spill light and glare. The maximum height of the lights may not exceed twenty five feet (25').

         b.   All events shall be scheduled so as to complete all activity before or as near to ten thirty o'clock (10:30) P.M. as practical, but under no circumstances shall any illumination of the playing field, court, or track be permitted after eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. except to conclude a scheduled event that was in progress before eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and circumstances prevented concluding before eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M.

   E.   Parking Area Lighting:

      1.   Low pressure or high pressure sodium light sources are the only allowed light sources for parking areas with five (5) or more spaces. Lighting fixtures affixed to buildings for the purposes of lighting parking areas shall be prohibited. Light levels should be designed with minimum light trespass off site by using cutoff lights that are fully shielded with no light distributed above the horizontal plane of the light.

         a.   Maximum Light Distribution: For uniformity in lighting and prevention of shadows, an average horizontal light level of two (2) foot-candles with a four to one (4:1) uniformity ratio over the site is the maximum allowed.

   F.   Pole Height/Wattage/Design/Height:

      1.   Light mounting height must be, measured from the parking lot or driveway surface, in the range of twelve feet (12') to twenty feet (20') as determined by the planning department and/or the planning commission. The maximum height shall only be allowed at the review and approval of the planning department with specific findings. The determination shall be based on:

         a.   Review of site plan;

         b.   Proposed land uses;

         c.   Surrounding land uses;

         d.   Parking area size;

         e.   Building mass;

         f.   Location of the site with respect to other lighting sources;

         g.   Impacts on the adjacent properties;

         h.   Topography of site; and

         i.   Other features.

      2.   Light poles higher than sixteen feet (16') are appropriate only for parking areas exceeding two hundred (200) stalls and not in close proximity to residential areas.

   G.   Parking Area Wattage/Design Standard:

      1.   Lights for twelve foot (12') to sixteen foot (16') poles must not exceed fifty (50) watts per fixture or one hundred five (105) watts per pole.

      2.   Lights for eighteen foot (18') and twenty foot (20') poles must not exceed seventy five (75) watts per fixture or one hundred fifty (150) watts per pole.

      3.   Wood fixtures and fixtures mounted on wooden poles are encouraged. They must be naturally stained or painted in earth tones. If metal fixtures or poles are used they should be black, dark brown or earth tone.

      4.   The base of the pole shall be treated with paint, stain, stucco or another form of decorative cover. All attempts shall be made to place the base of light poles within landscape areas.

   H.   Underground Parking Garage Entryways: Light sources within the first thirty feet (30') of an open garage entryway must be high pressure sodium light sources with partially shielded fixtures.

   I.   Submission Requirements: An application for development with off street parking must contain the following:

      1.   Plans indicating the location on the premises, and the type of illumination devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, installation and electrical details;

      2.   Description of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other devices, that may include, but is not limited to, manufacture catalog cuts and drawings, including section where required;

      3.   Photometric data, such as that furnished by manufacturers or similar showing the angle of the cutoff of light emission. A point by point light plan may be required to determine the adequacy of the lighting over the site.

   J.   Nonconformance: All operable outdoor light fixtures lawfully installed, that do not meet these lighting requirements, are considered to be nonconforming fixtures. The applicant must bring such fixtures into compliance with this code upon all modifications or changes to existing nonconforming fixtures that require a building permit. On residential structures, only new exterior fixtures on remodels or new additions must comply with these requirements.

   K.   Prohibitions:

      1.   Laser Source Light: The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal is prohibited.

      2.   Lights That Move: Flashing, blinking, intermittent or other lights that move or give the impression of movement are prohibited.

   L.   Exemptions: The following shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter:

      1.   Holiday lighting.

      2.   Traffic control signals and devices.

      3.   Temporary emergency lighting in use by law enforcement, fire department, government agencies or other emergency services, including all vehicular lights.

      4.   All hazard warning lights required by federal regulatory agencies are exempt from the requirements of this chapter, except that all lights used must be red and must be shown to be as close as possible to the federally required minimum lumen output required for the specific task.

   M.   Temporary Outdoor Lighting: Any temporary outdoor lighting that conforms to the requirements of this chapter shall be allowed. The planning commission may permit nonconforming temporary outdoor lighting after considering:

      1.   The public and/or private benefits that will result due to the temporary lighting.

      2.   Any annoyance or safety problems that result from the use of the temporary lighting.

      3.   The duration of the temporary nonconforming lighting.

      The applicant shall submit a detailed description of the proposed temporary nonconforming lighting to the planning commission, which shall consider the request at a duly called meeting of the planning commission. Prior notice of the meeting of the planning commission shall be given to the applicant. The planning commission shall render its decision on the temporary lighting request within two (2) weeks of the date of the meeting.

(Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 25-01, 2-18-2025)

   A.   This chapter shall take place effective immediately upon approval by the town council and shall supersede and replace all previous ordinances pertaining to outdoor lighting.

   B.   All lights lawfully in place prior to the date of ordinance 13-01 shall be allowed. However, any lights that replace allowed lights, or any allowed light that is moved, must meet the standard of this chapter.

   C.   Allowed lights that direct light toward streets or parking lots that cause disability glare to motorists or cyclists shall be either shielded or redirected within ninety (90) days of notification of the property owner so that the lights do not cause a potential hazard to motorists or cyclists.

(Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 25-01, 2-18-2025)

   A.   Submission Content: The applicant for any permit required by any provision of the laws of this jurisdiction in connection with the proposed work involving outdoor lighting fixtures shall submit (as part of the application for permit) evidence that the proposed work will comply with this title. The submission shall contain, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following, all or part of which may be part or in addition to the information required elsewhere in the law of this jurisdiction upon application for the required permit.

      1.   Plans indicating the location on the premises and the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other devices.

      2.   Description of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other devices. Submission may include catalog cuts by manufacture and drawing.

      3.   Photo data, such as that furnished by manufacturer, or similar data showing the angle of cutoff or light emissions.

   B.   Additional Submission: The above required plans, descriptions and data shall be sufficiently complete to enable the plan examiner to readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this chapter will be secured. If such plans, descriptions and data cannot enable this ready determination by reason of the nature or configuration of the devices, fixtures, or lamps proposed, the applicant shall additionally submit as evidence of compliance certified reports performed and certified by a recognized laboratory.

   C.   Subdivision Plat Certification: If any subdivision proposes to have installed street or other common or public area outdoor lighting, the final plat shall contain a statement certifying compliance with the applicable provisions of the Corinne City outdoor lighting ordinance.

   D.   Lamp Or Fixture Substitution: Should any outdoor light fixture or the type of light source therein be changed after the permit has been issued, a change request must be submitted to the Corinne City planning commission for approval, together with adequate information to assure compliance with this chapter, which must be received prior to substitution.

(Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 25-01, 2-18-2025)

   If after investigation, the code enforcement officer finds that any provision of this chapter is being violated the office may elect to file notice by hand delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, of such violation to the owner and/or the occupant of such premises demanding the violation be abated within thirty (30) days from the date of hand delivery or date of mailing notice. If the violation is not abated within the thirty (30) day period, the code enforcement officer may institute actions and proceedings, either legal or equitable, to enjoin, restrain, or abate any violations of this chapter and to collect the penalties for such violations.

(Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 25-01, 2-18-2025)