(a)   All exterior lighting shall be in conformance with this Article for new development, buildings, exterior renovations, and additions.

(b)   Lighting for access easements approved by the Planning Commission shall conform to the requirements of the Complete Streets Manuals.

(c)   Exemptions:

1.   Unshielded fixture with a maximum output of seventy (70) lumens per fixture.

2.   Shielded fixture with a maximum output of one thousand (1,000) lumens per fixture provided the source of the light is not visible from any other property.

3.   Lighting required by Federal or State regulations.

4.   Lighting which does not otherwise conform to the provisions of this Article and is associated with an approved Special Events Permit.

5.   Lighting required by the Kentucky state building code shall not be prohibited by this article but shall be subject to the lighting standards.

6.   Lighting for signage shall be regulated as per Article 17.

(a)   Lighting plans shall be provided when a landscape plan or final development plan is required. Lighting plans shall be reviewed in coordination with Landscape Plans to avoid conflicts between utility lines, plant materials, and tree canopies. Plans shall be legible and of a size and scale (generally not exceeding one (1) inch equals forty (40) feet), which enables clear presentation of required information. A lighting plan shall include:

1.   A written description of each type, number, and height of existing and proposed outdoor lighting fixtures and supporting devices.

2.   A lighting fixture schedule.

3.   Written description of the lumens for each lighting fixture type.

4.   Square footage of the total area to be illuminated, and lumens per net acre.

5.   Location of all lighting fixtures; and

6.   Foot-candle levels within property boundaries and full extent of light trespass.

(b)   All lighting plans shall depict consistent illumination across parking and pedestrian facilities, eliminating any dark areas.

(c)   All lighting plans shall be prepared by an architect, landscape architect, or professional engineer licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The lighting plan shall be stamped at the time of the certification of final development plan or prior to the issuance of a building permit.

1.   Fully shielded lighting fixture:

a.   Unless specifically exempted by this Article (Section 30-2), all outdoor lighting shall be fully shielded fixtures.

b.   The luminous elements of the fixture shall not be visible from any other property (exemption as discussed for DPs to allow light over prop lines).

c.   The fixture shall have a maximum color temperature of three thousand (3,000) Kelvin.

d.   Lighting must not be placed at a location, angle, or height that directs illumination outside the property boundaries where the lighting fixtures are located, except when there is a written agreement signed by both property owners and denoted on the associated development plan or subdivision plan. The agreement shall be on file with the Division of Building Inspection.

e.   If mounted on or attached to a building or structure other than a parking lot light pole or a sign, the light source (including all lenses, diffusers, reflectors, or similar elements) shall be at least two inches recessed into the fixture housing or shielding.

f.   Structural or architectural elements, such as eave overhangs, canopies, or patio covers, are not considered shielding.

g.   Drop lens, sag lens, lens sag or similar fixture types shall be prohibited.

h.   Blinking, flashing, moving, revolving, scintillating, flickering, changing- intensity, and changing-color lights are prohibited, unless exempted in Section 30-2.

i.   The installation of new mercury vapor and low-pressure sodium lamps is prohibited.

1.   Lighting mounted on poles or structures within fifteen (15) feet of the front, side, and rear property boundary shall not exceed a mounting height of twelve (12) feet. For modifications of height, see special provisions (Section 30-4(e)).

2.   All other lighting mounted on poles or structures within the property shall not exceed a mounting height of twenty-five (25) feet.

1.   Total outdoor light output of any non-residential property shall not exceed one hundred thousand (100,000) lumens per net acre in any contiguous illuminated area.

2.   Total outdoor light output of any residential property shall not exceed twenty-five thousand (25,000) lumens per net acre in any contiguous illuminated area.

(d)   Light trespass shall not exceed one-half (0.5) horizontal foot candles.

1.   Where the light trespass level is below one-tenth (0.1) foot-candles on the side and rear property lines, maximum height of all fixtures mounted on poles or structures shall be twenty-five (25) feet.

2.   Where maximum lumens for the development is twenty-five (25%) percent of the allowable lumens (Section 30-4(c)) maximum height of all fixtures mounted on poles or structures shall be twenty-five (25) feet.

3.   The Planning Commission in coordination with a final development plan may approve modifications to the height and location of lighting with the submission of an innovative lighting design that reduces light pollution and enhances the public realm. A finding regarding the innovation and reduction of light impact shall be made by the Planning Commission.