Kalispell City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 27
26 OUTDOOR LIGHTING STANDARDS
§ 27.26.010 Intent.
Light pollution obscures the night sky, a resource important to residents and visitors. Light trespass interferes with the quality of life and public safety of the community. Standards for outdoor lighting are intended to control artificial light from non-vehicular sources that produce glare, light trespass, nuisance light and/or degrade the night sky. These standards are intended to reduce and eliminate nuisance glare and light trespass from poorly placed, inappropriate, misaligned or improperly shielded light sources. It is the further intent of these standards to conserve energy and resources as well as to curtail and reverse the degradation of the night sky through the regulation of the type and use of outdoor lighting while maintaining nighttime safety, utility and security.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
§ 27.26.020 Applicability.
All residential and commercial lighting whether on public or private property installed in the City limits of Kalispell shall comply with the requirements and specifications established with these regulations. Lighting within a public or private right-of-way is not within the scope of these regulations.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
§ 27.26.030 General Standards.
(1)
All outdoor lighting, including the fixture, pole, and other supporting elements, shall be designed to complement the overall architectural appearance of the site and prevent excessive glare.
(2)
Low voltage landscape lighting will be allowed provided it is directed toward the object or building and does not leave the perimeter of the site or contribute to light trespass.
(3)
Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit the installation of minimum emergency lighting standards required by the applicable building and/or fire codes.
(4)
When practical, timing mechanisms and photocells shall be used to reduce light levels and conserve energy during non-operational hours.
(5)
Mercury vapor lights are prohibited because of the poor color spectrum, light intensity and inefficient energy use. Low pressure or high-pressure sodium lights and metal halide are encouraged rather than the use of fluorescent lights.
(6)
Light fixtures or lamps shall be shielded in such a manner so that the light emitting surface is not visible and to direct incident rays away from all adjacent property.
(7)
Any light fixture must be placed in such a manner so that no light emitting surface is visible from any residential area or public/private roadway, walkway, trail or other public way when viewed at ground level.
(8)
Exposed bulbs used for ornamental purposes that do not exceed the equivalent of 15 watts incandescent are exempted from shielding requirements.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1824, 3-18-2019; Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
§ 27.26.040 Specific Standards.
(1)
Lights mounted on poles shall not be taller than 25 feet (pole height to be calculated from grade to the top of the pole structure).
(2)
The level of lighting shall not exceed 0.3-foot candles at any residential property line or 1.0-foot candles at any nonresidential property line, except that the measurement along any right-of-way shall be taken from the curb line, or, if there is no curb, the edge of the asphalt. Measurements shall be taken from ground level. If a side or rear property line is adjacent to a parking lot, the maximum foot candle measurement may be exceeded provided that the increase is otherwise designed to meet the intent of this Zoning Ordinance.
(3)
Light (including, but not limited to, pole lights, floodlights, wall lights, etc.) shall have external shielding or shall be directed and angled so that no light is visible above a 90-degree angle measured from a vertical line from the center of the lamp (i.e. shall be a full cutoff fixture) and shall not shine onto any adjacent public right-of-way or adjacent property.
(4)
Roof illumination is not allowed.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1771, 6-6-2016; Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
§ 27.26.050 Specific Uses.
(1)
Architectural Accent Lighting. Fixtures used to accent architectural features, materials, colors, style of buildings, landscaping, or art shall be located, aimed, and shielded so that light is directed only on those features. Such fixtures shall be aimed or shielded to prohibit light spill.
(2)
Signs.
(a)
Any interior lighted signs may not be lit at night when any face of the sign is removed or damaged in such a way that the light may distract or intrude on drivers or adjacent properties.
(b)
Signs that have exterior lighting must be lit from above the sign and the light shielded except that ground lighting may be used for ground mounted signs with a solid base (i.e. no gaps between the sign and the framework or the ground). In all cases lighting must be directed at the surface of the sign area.
(3)
Canopy Lighting and Lighting of Service Stations.
(a)
Light fixtures mounted on canopies shall be recessed so that the lens cover is recessed or flush with the bottom surface (ceiling) of the canopy or shielded by the fixture or the edge of the canopy so that light is restrained to 90 degrees or less from vertical.
(b)
Indirect lighting may be used where light is beamed upward and then reflected down from the underside of the canopy. When this method is used, light fixtures must be shielded so that direct illumination is focused exclusively on the underside of the canopy.
(c)
Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides (fascia) of the canopy.
(d)
Lights shall be fully recessed and shielded to ensure that no light source is visible from or causes glare in the public right-of-way or adjacent properties.
(4)
Outdoor Sports or Recreation Fields or Performance Areas. Lighting of outdoor recreational facilities (public or private), such as, but not limited to, football fields, soccer fields, baseball fields, softball fields, tennis courts, special event or show areas, are exempt from this Zoning Ordinance provided that the lights are to be used only when the facility is in use.
(5)
Flags. Flags of the United States or Montana, and flags displayed with either the United States and/or Montana flags, may be illuminated from below provided such lighting is focused primarily on the individual flag or flags to limit light trespass and spill into the dark night sky.
(6)
Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for any purpose other than an emergency need is prohibited.
(7)
Towers. Lighting on towers is prohibited except as required by regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
§ 27.26.060 Procedure.
At the time of site plan approval by the Kalispell Site Development Review Committee, the applicant must supply a lighting plan in accordance with these regulations and shall demonstrate conformance with these standards. At a minimum the lighting plan shall include:
(1)
Manufacturer specifications regarding the light fixture, proposed locations, mounting heights and direction of all exterior lighting.
(2)
If the building, signage, or landscaping is proposed to be lit, relevant drawings shall be provided showing the type, location, and direction of the light fixture.
(3)
Photometric data of all parking lot lighting and other descriptive information on the fixtures and/or a computer-generated photometric grid showing foot candle reading every 10 feet within the property or site and 10 feet beyond the property boundaries.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
§ 27.26.070 Nonconforming Lighting.
(1)
Commercial. Lighting for commercial uses, including, but not limited to, parking lot and building lighting that does not conform to these regulations shall be brought into compliance with those provisions relating to full cutoff fixtures and/or lamps by January 1, 2010. A one-year extension may be considered by the Kalispell City Council based upon a specific hardship and upon written request.
(2)
Residential. Residential lighting that does not conform to these regulations shall be brought into compliance with those provisions relating to fixtures and lamps by January 1, 2007.
(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
§ 27.26.080 Figures.
The attached figures are incorporated as guidelines for public information and enforcing this section (see Figure 11).
Figure 11: Lighting Examples  |
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(Ord. 1677, 7-19-2010; amd. Ord. 1950, 5-4-2026)
