(a)

Intent. The regulations in this section are intended to protect the general welfare by allowing sufficient lighting for parking areas, walkways, driveways, building entrances, loading areas, and common areas to ensure the security of property and safety of persons; minimizing the adverse effects of inappropriate lighting, including glare, light trespass onto adjoining properties, and light pollution and sky glow; conserving energy and resources; and encouraging the use of lighting that complements and enhances the character of the city.

(b)

Scope. The standards of this article shall apply to all exterior lighting sources and to all light sources visible from any street right-of-way or residential lot.

(c)

Definitions. Words and phrases used in this section shall have the meaning set forth below. Words and phrases not defined herein but defined in article II shall be given the meanings set forth in article II. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless context clearly requires otherwise.

Bulb (or lamp) means the source of electric light (to be distinguished from the whole assembly, which is called the luminaire). "Lamp" is often used to denote the bulb and its housing.

Disability glare means an intense and blinding light that results in reduced visual performance and visibility, and is often accompanied by discomfort.

Filtered fixture means a light fixture that has a glass, acrylic, or translucent enclosure to filter the light.

Fixture means the assembly that holds the lamp in a lighting system. The fixture includes the elements designed to give light output control, such as a reflector (mirror), refractor (lens), ballast, housing, and the attachment parts.

Floodlight means a fixture or lamp designed to "flood" an area with light.

Foot-candle means a measure of light intensity; the level of illuminance produced on a surface one (1) foot from a uniform point source of one (1) candela, or, when one (1) lumen is distributed into an area of one (1) square foot.

Fully shielded fixture means an outdoor lighting fixture that is shielded or constructed so that all light emitted is projected onto the site and away from adjoining properties. Light from a fully shielded fixture is not visible from adjoining properties, and does not cause glare or interfere with the vision of motorists.

High pressure sodium (HPS) lamp means a high-intensity discharge lamp where radiation is produced from sodium vapor at relatively high partial pressures (100 torr).

Incandescent lamp means a lamp that produces light by a filament heated to a high temperature by electric current.

Laser source light means an intense beam of light, in which all photons share the same wavelength.

Light trespass means light falling where it is not wanted or needed (also called spill light).

Low pressure sodium (LPS) lamp means a discharge lamp where the light is produced by radiation from sodium vapor at a relatively low partial pressure (about 0.001 torr). A LPS lamp produces monochromatic light.

Lux means a measure of light intensity. One (1) lux is one (1) lumen per square meter. One (1) foot-candle is one (1) lumen per square foot.

Luminaire means the complete lighting unit, including the lamp, fixture, and other parts.

Mercury vapor lamp means a high-intensity discharge lamp where the light is produced by radiation from mercury vapor.

Metal halide lamp means a high-intensity discharge mercury lamp where the light is produced by radiation from metal-halide vapors.

Non-essential lighting means outdoor lighting which is not required for safety or security purposes.

Recessed canopy fixture means an outdoor lighting fixture recessed into a canopy ceiling so that the bottom of the fixture is flush with the ceiling.

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.01, 7-24-07)

(a)

Minimum illumination. Sufficient lighting, as specified in the following table, shall be required for parking areas, walkways, driveways, building entrances, loading areas, and public common areas to ensure the security of property and safety of persons.

For locations other than those identified in the above table, sufficient lighting shall be based on recommendations in the most recent edition of the "Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Lighting Handbook."

(b)

Fixture orientation and shielding. Lighting fixtures shall be focused downward and shall be fully shielded to prevent glare and sky glow and to minimize light trespass onto adjoining properties. Full cut-off fixtures shall be used to prevent light from projecting above a ninety (90) degree horizontal plane.

(c)

Non-essential lighting. Non-essential lighting shall be turned off after business hours, leaving only that lighting that is necessary for site security. Proposed security lighting shall be identified on the site plan.

(d)

Light trespass at property line. Light trespass from a property shall not exceed 0.5 foot-candles at the property line, measured five (5) feet from the ground.

(e)

Uplighting. Uplighting of buildings for aesthetic purposes shall be confined to the target surface as much as possible to prevent sky glow.

(f)

Canopy lights. Light fixtures mounted on the underside of a canopy or similar structure shall be fully recessed into the canopy ceiling so that the bottom of the fixture and the lens are flush with the canopy ceiling. The total initial lamp output under a canopy shall not exceed forty (40) lumens per square foot of canopy.

(g)

Sign lighting. Illuminated signs shall comply with the regulations set forth in chapter 26, Signs.

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.02, 7-24-07)

Use and shielding. Outdoor lighting shall comply with the following use and shielding requirements:

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.03, 7-24-07)

(a)

Maximum height. Lighting fixtures on parcels used for nonresidential purposes shall not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet measured from the ground level to the centerline of the light source. The maximum height of lighting fixtures in an accessory off-street parking area shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet, as measured from the average grade level of the parking area.

(b)

Light coverage. Fixtures should provide an overlapping pattern of light at a height of approximately seven (7) feet above ground level.

(c)

Modification. The planning commission may modify these height standards in commercial and industrial districts, based on consideration of the following: the position and height of buildings, other structures, and trees on the site; the potential off-site impact of the lighting; the character of the proposed use; and, the character of surrounding land use. In no case shall the lighting exceed the maximum permitted building height in the district in which it is located.

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.04, 7-24-07)

(a)

Recreational facility lighting. No outdoor recreational facility, public or private, shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m., except to conclude a permitted recreational or sporting event or other activity in progress prior to 11:00 p.m.

(b)

Outdoor building and landscaping lighting. Unshielded illumination of the exterior of a building or landscaping is prohibited except with fixtures having lamps of one thousand seven hundred (1,700) lumens or less.

(c)

Mercury vapor and wall pack lighting. The installation of mercury vapor fixtures is prohibited. Wall pack fixtures are also prohibited, except where the lens is fully shielded.

(d)

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.

(e)

Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise the following morning.

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.05, 7-24-07)

The following exterior lighting shall be exempt from the regulations in this article:

(1)

Fossil fuel light. Fossil fuel light produced directly or indirectly from the combustion of natural gas or other utility-type fossil fuels (e.g., gas lamps).

(2)

Temporary carnival and civic uses. Lighting for a permitted temporary circus, fair, carnival, or civic uses is exempt from the provisions of this article.

(3)

Construction and emergency lighting. Lighting necessary for construction or emergencies is exempt from the provisions of this article provided that said lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency.

(4)

Special conditions. Additional exceptions may be permitted, subject to site plan review, and upon finding that unique or special conditions on the site warrant the exception.

(5)

Low illuminance lights. The shielding requirements specified herein shall not apply to incandescent lights of one hundred (100) watts (one thousand seven hundred (1,700) lumens) or less and to other types of lights of fifty (50) watts or less.

(6)

Traditional or decorative fixtures. The orientation and shielding requirements may be waived or modified for traditional-style or decorative lighting fixtures, upon making the determination that the fixtures will comply with the illumination levels specified herein, will not cause glare or interfere with the vision of motorists, and will be consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter.

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.06, 7-24-07)

(a)

Any person applying for site plan approval or for a building, electrical, or sign permit to install outdoor lighting fixtures, whether for new or replacement lighting, shall submit evidence that the proposed work will comply with this article.

(b)

The site plan or building, electrical, or sign permit application shall identify the location, type, height, method of mounting, and intensity of proposed lighting. If available, the manufacturer's catalog specifications and documents, drawings (including a photometric map showing proposed illumination levels on the site), and certified test reports shall be submitted. The information submitted shall be sufficiently complete to demonstrate compliance with chapter requirements.

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.07, 7-24-07)

It is recognized by the city that certain uses or circumstances may have special exterior lighting requirements not otherwise addressed by this article. The zoning board of appeals may waive or modify specific provisions of this article for a particular use or circumstance, upon determining that all of the following conditions have been satisfied:

(1)

A public hearing shall be held for all lighting exception requests, in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 36-481, Public hearing procedures.

(2)

The waiver or modification is necessary because of safety or design factors unique to the use, circumstance, or site.

(3)

The minimum possible light intensity is proposed that would be adequate for the intended purpose. Consideration shall be given to maximizing safety and energy conservation and to minimizing light pollution, off-site glare, and light trespass onto neighboring properties or street rights-of-way.

(4)

For lighting related to streets or other vehicle access areas, a determination is made that the purpose of the lighting cannot be achieved by installation of reflectorized markers, lines, informational signs, or other passive means.

(5)

Additional conditions or limitations may be imposed by the ZBA to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, or to fulfill the spirit and purpose of this article.

(Ord. No. H-07-01, § 12.08, 7-24-07)