The purpose of this section is to regulate exterior lighting to:

(1)

Permit the use of exterior lighting at the minimum level necessary for nighttime safety, utility, security, productivity, enjoyment, and commerce;

(2)

Ensure exterior lighting does not adversely impact land uses on adjacent land by minimizing light trespass, obtrusive light, and glare;

(3)

Curtail light pollution, reduce sky glow, and preserve the nighttime environment for astronomy, wildlife, and enjoyment of residents and visitors;

(4)

Conserve energy and resources to the greatest extent possible by encouraging the use of timers and motion sensors to switch the lights off when not needed, and;

(5)

Ensure security for persons and property.

(Ord. No. 09-21R2, Att. A, 9-27-2021)

(a)

General. The provisions of article XII shall apply to all business and industrial zoning districts (local business district, general business district and industrial district) and on any property located within any other zoning district that is used for business or commercial purposes through a permitted use, an administrative permit, or a conditional use permit.

(b)

Time of review. Review for compliance with the standards of this section shall occur as part of the review of an application for a site plan, planned development, certificate of approval, certificate of zoning use, conditional use or variance as appropriate by the zoning administrator.

(c)

Existing development. Compliance with these standards, to the maximum extent practicable, shall also apply to redevelopment of an existing structure, building, or use when the structure or use is expanded, enlarged, or otherwise increased in intensity equivalent to or beyond 50 percent.

(d)

Signs. Lighting for signage shall be governed by the standards set forth in the separate section of this zoning ordinance regulating signs.

(e)

Historic preservation overlay district lighting. For all properties located within the historic preservation overlay district, used for business or commercial purposes and subject to the review of the architectural review board, lighting fixtures shall be reviewed as a component of any site plan or other alteration before a certificate of approval is issued. As applicable, the requirements of historic preservation overlay district shall be applied in addition to the requirements of this section in the consideration of new or replacement lighting fixtures.

(f)

Exemptions. The following are exempted from the exterior lighting standards of article XII:

(1)

Lighting within a public street right-of-way or easement that is used principally for illuminating a roadway;

(2)

Lighting exempt under state or federal law;

(3)

Lighting for public monuments and statuary;

(4)

Lighting that is required under the Uniform Statewide Building Code;

(5)

Construction, emergency, or holiday decorative or festive lighting, provided such lighting does not create unsafe glare on street rights-of-way and is temporary;

(6)

Temporary lighting for circuses, fairs, carnivals, theatrical and other performance areas, provided such lighting is discontinued upon completion of the performance;

(7)

Security lighting controlled and activated by motion sensor devices for a duration of 15 minutes or less;

(8)

Lighting for flags of the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any department, division, agency or instrumentality thereof, and other noncommercial flags expressing constitutionally protected speech;

(9)

Architectural lighting of 40 watts incandescent or less;

(10)

Lighting for an outdoor athletic facility;

(11)

The replacement of an inoperable lamp or component which is in a luminaire that was installed prior to the date of the adoption of this section;

(12)

The replacement of a failed or damaged luminaire that is one of a matching group serving a common purpose installed prior to the adoption of this section.

(Ord. No. 09-21R2, Att. A, 9-27-2021)

(a)

Prohibited lighting. The following lighting is prohibited:

(1)

Those that imitate an official highway or traffic control light or sign;

(2)

Those in the direct line of vision with any traffic control light or sign;

(3)

Lighting that have a flashing or intermittent pattern of illumination, except for time and temperature displays;

(4)

Privately owned lights located in the public right-of-way;

(5)

Search lights, except when used by federal, state, or local authorities.

(b)

Exterior lighting standards.

(1)

Parking lot light fixtures and light fixtures on buildings shall be full cut-off fixtures. The term full cut-off fixture means an outdoor light fixture shielded in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, is projected down below the fixture.

(2)

In addition to being full cut-off lighting, all lighting shall be aimed and controlled so directed light is directed inward to the property and confined to the object intended to be illuminated. Directional control shields shall be used when necessary to limit stray light and prevent glare to adjacent properties or vehicular public rights-of-way.

(3)

Light fixtures in parking lots shall not be more than 20 feet in height in the general business district and no more than 30 feet in height in the light industrial district.

(4)

Light fixtures under any canopy shall be recessed into the canopy ceiling with a flat lens to prevent glare.

(5)

It is recommended that all exterior lights be 3,000 Kelvin light color temperature or less.

Example of Full Cutoff Light Shielding:

(Ord. No. 09-21R2, Att. A, 9-27-2021)

The exterior lighting standards shall be enforced by the King William County Zoning Administrator. An appeal to the board may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board or bureau of the county affected by any decision of the zoning administrator in enforcement of this section as outlined in article IV, division 7 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 09-21R2, Att. A, 9-27-2021)