Reduce the problems created by improperly designed and installed outdoor lighting.

Eliminate problems of glare on operators of motor vehicles, pedestrians and land uses.

Minimize light trespass.

Reduce the energy and financial costs of outdoor lighting by establishing regulations, which limit the area that certain kinds of outdoor lighting fixtures can illuminate.

Preserve the sky as a natural resource and thus the public’s enjoyment.

A layout of the proposed fixture locations.

The light source.

The luminous area for each proposed light source with proposed footcandle measurements.

The type and height of the light fixture or of the light source above grade.

The type of illumination.

Unless otherwise provided herein, illumination, where required by this ordinance, shall have intensities and uniformity ratios in accordance with the current recommended practices of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) as from time to time amended.

Unless otherwise provided herein, all building lighting for security or aesthetics will be fully-shielded type, not allowing any upward distribution of light. Wall pack type fixtures are acceptable only if they are fully-shielded with 80° cut-off.

No use or operation in any district shall be located or conducted so as to produce glare, or either direct or indirect illumination across the bounding property line from a source of illumination into a residentially zoned property, nor shall any such light be of such intensity as to create a nuisance or detract from the use and enjoyment of adjacent property. For the purposes of this section, a nuisance shall be defined as more than one tenth (0.1) of one footcandle of light measured at the residential property line or twenty-five hundredths (0.25) of one footcandle of light measured at any adjoining nonresidential property line, unless said nonresidential property is of a similar use and utilizes similar lighting parameters.

Halogen lights are prohibited.

Shielding shall be required in all outdoor lighting installations as specified below.

Illumination levels of outdoor lighting shall be measured by a qualified professional according to generally accepted IESNA methods.

Illumination at a point may be computed in lieu of measurement. Computation methods shall consist of a generally accepted IESNA method, using certified photometric data furnished by the fixture manufacturer, lamp manufacturer, photometric laboratory, or other reliable authority satisfactory to the city. Computations shall be based on new, properly seasoned lamps, diffusers and other appurtenances in place, and with proper regard taken for mounting height, relative elevation, [and] natural and man-made objects.

The limit of illumination on neighboring property from one (1) establishment shall be by zoning of the neighboring property. Maximum computed or measured footcandles at the neighboring property line shall not exceed:

All non-essential lighting shall be turned off after business hours, leaving only necessary lighting for site security.

Floodlights, accent, aesthetic and security lights must be fully shielded and no uplighting shall be permitted except that lighting of 50 watts or less are excepted if necessary for security purposes.

Parking lots and vehicle movement areas and signs shall not exceed a maximum illumination value of 40 footcandles nor a minimum illumination value of 1.0 footcandles. Lamps in decorative lantern type fixtures shall not exceed a maximum of 150 watts. Total pole and fixture height shall not exceed a maximum of 30 feet, measured from grade at the base. The light head or light under canopies shall be designed so that any light filament or bulb is shielded or recessed to prevent direct glare and/or light trespass. No exposed lamp, filament or bulb shall be detectable from outside of the 80-degree cutoff area or from the adjoining property lines. Taller poles may be considered in some situations upon approval of a Special Exception by the Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Building facades and architectural features of buildings may use sconces when the following conditions are met:

Floodlight fixtures are equipped with shields and are located so as to limit the fixture’s direct light distribution solely to the building facade or feature being illuminated;

The configuration of the floodlight installation shall block all view to the floodlight fixture’s recessed lamp, bulb or filament from pedestrian walkways, vehicle maneuvering areas and all adjacent properties;

Fixtures used to accent architectural features, landscaping or art shall be located, aimed or shielded to minimize light spill into the night sky, and;

The maximum luminance of any floodlighted surface does not exceed the footcandles specified in Section 10.1.C of the Ordinance and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Lighting Handbook for floodlighting surfaces.

Limitations on establishment property. The maximum outdoor initial computed or measured illuminant level on the establishment property shall not exceed forty (40) footcandles outdoors at any point, except that lighting under canopies (such as service stations) shall not exceed sixty (60) footcandles.

Illumination levels exceeding the maximum permitted must receive prior approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment through a Special Exception.

Externally illuminated signs, advertising displays, building identification and monument signs that use top-mounted light fixtures shall shine light downward and will be fully shielded or shine upward with pinpointed light which are also fully shielded.

Outdoor light fixtures used to illuminate flags, statues, or any other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal, or platform shall use a very narrow cone of light for the purpose of confining the light to the object of interest and minimize light-spillover an [and] glare.

Any light source permitted by this section 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:

Any illumination level exceeding a maximum of forty (40) footcandles must receive prior approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustments through a Special Exception.

All fixtures used for event lighting shall be fully shielded, or be designed or provided with sharp cut-off capability, so as to minimize uplight, spill-light, and glare.

All events shall be scheduled so as to complete all activity before or as near to 10:30 p.m. as practical, but under no circumstances shall any illumination of the playing field, court, or track be permitted after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude a scheduled event that was in progress before 11:00 p.m. and circumstances prevented concluding before 11:00 p.m.

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

The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.

Halogen Lights are prohibited.

All temporary emergency lighting needed by the Police or Fire Departments or other emergency services, as well as all vehicular luminaries.

All hazard warning luminaries required by Federal regulatory agencies except that all luminaries used must be red and must be shown to be as close as possible to the Federally required minimum lumen output requirement for the specific task.

Uplighting of the City of Granbury, State of Texas, or United States of American flag.

Seasonal decorative lighting.

Upon approval by the Chief Building Official, temporary exemptions from the requirements of this ordinance for a period not to exceed 30 days may be approved.

Any person may submit a written request, on a form prepared by the City for a temporary exemption request. The request shall contain the following information:

Requests for renewal of exemptions shall be processed in the same way as the original request. Each renewal shall be valid for not more than fourteen (14) days or a time period designated by the Board.

Approval for temporary exemptions will be based on the effect of location and use of outdoor lighting fixture.