Mendon City Zoning Code

The Town Board finds that proper outdoor lighting is necessary for the safety of motorists and pedestrians as well as aiding in police functions and reducing crime. The Board also finds that the proper design and use of outdoor lighting will ensure a nighttime appearance consistent with overall community goals of enhancing the attractiveness of businesses, streets and other portions of the environment.

The purpose of this article is to provide the regulatory framework to ensure the installation of safe and attractive outdoor lighting needed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and visitors to the community. It is also declared to be the purpose of these regulations to provide more specific guidelines for site plan applications and standards in regard to lighting in order to maximize the effectiveness of site lighting, to avoid unnecessary upward illumination and illumination of adjacent properties and to reduce glare. This article will control unwanted glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties, roadways and the night sky.

All outdoor lighting fixtures, including display lighting, shall be turned off after close of business, unless needed for safety or security, in which case the lighting shall be reduced to the minimum level necessary.

Automobile filling stations. Island canopy ceiling fixtures shall be recessed.

Recreational facilities, public or private. Lighting for outdoor recreational facilities shall be shielded according to § 260-79.

All light fixtures that are required to be fully shielded shall be installed and maintained so that the shielding is effective as described in the definition of "fully shielded luminaire" in Chapter 5, Definitions and Word Usage, of the Town Code.

Holiday lights for a maximum of 60 days per calendar year.

Any spot or flood luminaire having initial source lumens of 900 or less, provided that no direct light is focused so as to cause avoidance glare on adjoining property or roadways. Such luminaire may be redirected or its light output controlled so as to eliminate this glare and be eligible for exemption under this section.

Temporary circus, fair, carnival or civic uses.

Construction or emergency lighting, provided that such lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency necessitating said lighting.

Temporary lighting.

Lighting associated with agricultural pursuits.

All moving, revolving and flashing lights.

Mercury vapor lights.

Laser source lighting or any similar high-intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizon.

Uses requiring site plan and special use permit approval. All applications for site plan and/or special use permit approval shall require a lighting plan showing conformity with standards contained in this article. Such lighting plan shall indicate the location, type of lamp, luminaire, mounting height, source lumens, illuminance and glare control options, if any, for each light source and area. Illuminance may be plotted using manufacturers' photometric charts, or the Planning Board may require iso-footcandle drawings to examine the interaction of all lighting on the site. Any additional documentation necessary to show conformance to the standards set forth in this article shall also be provided. Additions or changes to an approved lighting plan shall be considered under the site plan review provisions of this chapter.

All other uses: documentation as required and determined by the CEO to show conformance with the standards set forth in this article.

Lighting in conformance with this article is required for all parking lots. Light levels shall be designed to meet but not to exceed the latest recommended levels from the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for the type of activity/area being lighted, except light levels for ATMs, which shall be in accordance with the New York State ATM Safety Act.[1] Where no standard is available from IESNA, the applicable standard shall be determined by the Planning Board, taking into account the levels for the closest IESNA activity.

Uniform light levels shall be achieved on the site. The uniformity ratio (average to minimum) shall not exceed three to one for parking and traffic areas nor four to one for pedestrian areas. Design should establish a hierarchy of lighting to ensure a smooth transition from bright areas to those with subdued lighting.

Maximum to average light levels should be kept within a ratio of six to one. Light levels shall be maintained at design levels with lamp or luminaire replacement as needed.

Nonresidential zones. Direct light shall not be visible above six feet at the adjoining public roadway pavement edge or 25 feet beyond the property line, except no such restriction for lighting site entrances.

Residential zones and where adjacent property is in a residential zone. Direct light shall not be visible above ground level at the adjoining public roadway pavement edge or 25 feet beyond the property line or at the dwelling unit, whichever is less, except no restriction for lighting site entrances.

Have a cutoff angle of 90° or less.

Wall-pack units are required to be opaque shielded or have optics that provide a cutoff angle of 70° or less.

Canopy lights must be recessed or have side shields.

Roof-mounted area lighting is prohibited.

Mounting heights shall be no higher than 30 feet.

In all zoning districts, at the pavement edge of adjoining public roads: a maximum of 0.5 footcandle, except for site access points, where a maximum of one footcandle at the pavement edge is permitted.

Residential districts and where an adjacent property is in a residential district: a maximum of 0.2 footcandle 25 feet beyond the property line or at the dwelling unit, whichever is less.

Nonresidential districts: no maximum limit; however, light trespass shall be based on adjoining uses and light levels to ensure that IESNA standards are not exceeded.

No replacement or installation of new luminaires shall be permitted unless in conformance to this article.

All outdoor lighting that, in the opinion of the CEO, is causing avoidance glare on adjoining roadways or properties shall be required to submit lighting details to the Code Enforcement Officer showing that the existing lighting meets the requirements of this article or how such lighting will be brought into conformance.