Lexington City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XV
Exterior Lighting
§ 420-15.1 Purpose and intent.
The purposes of these outdoor lighting regulations are to protect dark skies, to protect the general welfare by controlling the spillover of light onto adjacent properties, to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians, and to ensure lighting does not adversely affect land uses on adjacent lands. More specifically, this section is intended to:
A.
Regulate lighting to ensure that excessive light spillage and glare are not directed at adjacent lands, neighboring areas, and motorists;
B.
Ensure that all site lighting is designed and installed to maintain adequate lighting levels on site;
C.
Provide security for persons and property.
D.
Exemptions. The following uses, activities and development are exempt from the exterior lighting standards of this section.
[Added 7-1-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-05]
(1)
FAA-mandated lighting associated with a utility tower or airport;
(2)
Lighting associated with the United States flag, Virginia flag, or other noncommercial flags expressing constitutionally protected free speech;
(3)
Holiday lighting, provided the lighting does not create unsafe glare on street rights-of-way;
(4)
Security lighting controlled by sensors which provides illumination for 15 minutes or less;
(5)
Battery-powered emergency lighting;
(6)
Architectural lighting of 40 watts incandescent equivalent or less;
(7)
The replacement of an inoperable lamp or component which is in a fixture that was installed prior to the date of adoption of this section;
(8)
The replacement of a failed or damaged fixture which is one of a matching group serving a common purpose;
(9)
String lights; and
(10)
Gas lanterns.
§ 420-15.2 Applicability.
A.
General. The provisions of this section shall apply to all development in the City unless exempted in accordance with this section.
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 appropriateness, or certificate of zoning use, 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 it is expanded, enlarged, or otherwise increased in intensity equivalent to or beyond 50%.
D.
Exemptions. The following uses, activities and development are exempt from the exterior lighting standards of this section:
(1)
FAA-mandated lighting associated with a utility tower or airport;
(2)
Lighting associated with the United States flag, Virginia flag, or other noncommercial flags expressing constitutionally protected free speech;
(3)
Holiday lighting during the months of November, December, and January, provided the lighting does not create unsafe glare on street rights-of-way;
(4)
Security lighting controlled by sensors which provides illumination for 15 minutes or less;
(5)
Battery-powered emergency lighting;
(6)
Architectural lighting of 40 watts incandescent or less;
(7)
The replacement of an inoperable lamp or component which is in a fixture that was installed prior to the date of adoption of this section; and
(8)
The replacement of a failed or damaged fixture which is one of a matching group serving a common purpose.
§ 420-15.3 General standards.
A.
Hours of illumination. Institutional uses, commercial uses, and industrial uses that are adjacent to existing residential development shall extinguish all exterior lighting, except lighting necessary for security or emergency purposes, within one hour after closing and shall not turn on such lights until within one hour of opening. For the purposes of this subsection, lighting necessary for security or emergency purposes shall be construed to mean the minimum amount of exterior lighting necessary to illuminate possible points of entry or exit into a structure, to illuminate exterior walkways, or to illuminate outdoor storage areas. Lighting activated by motion sensor devices is encouraged for these purposes.
B.
Shielding. Except for single-family detached and duplex dwellings, all exterior light fixtures, including security lighting, shall consist of full cutoff fixtures and be directed downward. The term full cutoff 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 below the horizontal plane.
C.
Maximum height. Except for athletic fields or performance areas, the height of outdoor lighting, whether mounted on poles, walls, or by other means, shall be no greater than 25 feet above grade.
D.
Signage. Lighting for signage shall be governed by the standards set forth in the separate section of this Zoning Ordinance regulating signs.
Example of Full Cutoff Light Shielding:  |
§ 420-15.4 Lighting plan.
To ensure compliance with the standards of this article, a lighting plan demonstrating how exterior lighting will comply with the standards of this article shall be included as part of any application requiring a site plan.
§ 420-15.5 Historic District lighting.
For all properties located within the Historic Downtown Preservation District 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 appropriateness is issued. The requirements of the applicable Historic Downtown Preservation District shall be applied in addition to the requirements of this section in the consideration of new or replacement lighting fixtures.