Edison City Zoning Code
§ 37-61.2
Outdoor Lighting.
[1999 Code § 17.90.020]
a.
Purpose. The Township of Edison does herein find that regulation of outdoor lighting in the Township of Edison is necessary to prevent misdirected or excessive artificial light, caused by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures that produce glare, light trespass (nuisance light) and/or unnecessary skyglow; and also that such regulation is necessary to discourage the waste of electricity and to improve or maintain nighttime public safety, utility and security.
b.
All outdoor light fixtures installed and thereafter maintained other than those serving one- and two-family dwellings, shall comply with the requirements as specified below:
1.
Where used for security purposes or to illuminate walkways, roadways and parking lots, only shielded light fixtures shall be used.
2.
Where used for commercial and industrial purposes such as in merchandise display areas, work areas, platforms, signs, architectural, landscape or sports or recreational facilities, all light fixtures shall be equipped with automatic timing devices and comply with the following:
(a)
Light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues or any other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform, shall use a narrow cone beam of light that will not extend beyond the illuminated object.
(b)
Other upward directed architectural, landscape or decorative direct light emissions shall have at least ninety (90%) percent of their total distribution pattern within the profile of the illuminated structure.
(c)
Recreational and sports facility lighting shall be shielded whenever possible. Such lighting shall have directional and glare control devices, when necessary, to comply with subsection 37-61.3.
(d)
Externally illuminated signs including commercial billboard, building identification or other similar illuminated signs, shall comply with the following:
(1)
Top mounted light fixtures shall be shielded and are preferred.
(2)
When top mounted light fixtures are not feasible, illumination from other positioned light fixtures shall be restricted to the sign area. Visors or other directional control devices shall be used to keep spill light to an absolute minimum.
(e)
All other outdoor lighting shall use shielded light fixtures.
3.
All floodlight type fixtures, once properly installed, shall be permanently affixed in the approved position.
4.
Foundations supporting lighting poles not installed four (4) feet behind the curb, shall not be less than twenty-four (24) inches above ground.