Overland Park City Zoning Code

The purpose of these regulations is to ensure efficient exterior lighting that provides the functional needs for a development site in a manner that does not adversely affect adjacent properties, provides for fixtures that are architecturally and operationally compatible with the serviced property as well as the surrounding development and promotes safe vehicular and pedestrian access and circulation.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §2, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

These outdoor lighting regulations apply to the following:

1. A.
   All new outdoor lighting installations.
2. B.
   All replacement of existing light fixtures including:

   1. 1.
      Changes to the pole height or locations.
   2. 2.
      Changes to the lighting source type, wattage or light color/temperature.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §3, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   For new construction, the lighting plan shall be included as part of the Final Development Plan or Site Plan approval required in 18.140.220 or 18.140.180.
2. B.
   For replacement lighting, the lighting plan shall be submitted with the building permit, if a building permit is required. If no building permit is required all lighting shall meet the requirements of this Chapter. The Director may approve a lighting plan that meets the requirements of this Chapter, to the maximum amount feasible.
3. C.
   All lighting plans shall be prepared by a certified lighting designer or professional engineer to include the following information:

   1. 1.
      North arrow and scale.
   2. 2.
      The location, size and surface of materials of all structures and parking areas.
   3. 3.
      The location, size, type and quantity of all proposed exterior fixtures and light poles.
   4. 4.

      Cut Sheets for each light fixture with highlights on the exact model attributes.

   5. 5.

      A point-by-point calculation using a five foot grid to show compliance with the lighting standards.

      1. a.
         The horizontal calculations shall be measured at 5 feet above grade for lighting levels within the development site.
   6. 6.
      A development table containing average maintained footcandles, average to minimum, and maximum to minimum uniformity ratios.
   7. 7.
      A vertical plan footcandle calculation at 5-foot intervals at 5 feet above grade for property lines abutting residential properties.
   8. 8.
      If required by the Director, topographic information and final grading adequate to identify any unique situations that could affect parking lot lighting.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §4, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   General Requirements

   1. 1.
      All light fixtures, including security lighting, must be zero uplight, per the IES Luminaire Classification System, non-adjustable type fixtures, with a mounting angle not exceeding 90 degrees.
   2. 2.
      All lighting shall be shielded or aimed in a manner as to not direct light onto neighboring properties.
   3. 3.
      House side shields shall be provided on all perimeter parking lot lighting within 100 feet of any neighboring single-family residential property line.
   4. 4.
      The maximum maintained vertical footcandles at the property line of a residentially zoned property shall be 0.5 footcandles measured at 5 feet above grade at 5-foot intervals.
   5. 5.
      Any light or combination of lights that cast light on a public street shall not exceed 1 footcandle (meter reading) as measured from the centerline of the street. 
   6. 6.
      The Light Loss Factor for design calculations of LED lights is 0.91.
   7. 7.
      All lighting must comply with the City’s currently adopted Energy Conservation Code.
   8. 8.
      Color Rendering Index (CRI) shall be a minimum of 70.

2. B.
   Additional Requirements

   1. 1.
      Searchlights and similar spot light fixtures, such as moving, flashing, chasing and strobe lights used to attract attention to a place are prohibited unless approved as a Special Event Permit (18.380).
   2. 2.
      Temporary lighting installations are subject to a Special Event Permit (18.380).
   3. 3.
      Building mounted lighting installations are subject to Architectural Design Standards ADS4.19.
   4. 4.
      Illumination for signage is subject to 18.440.050.E.
   5. 5.
      Public streets are subject to the requirements of the Overland Park Streetlight Design Manual.
   6. 6.
      Private Drives serving residential development shall provide lighting which meets the Overland Park Streetlight Design Manual.
   7. 7.
      The designer shall certify that all proposed lighting for night-time activities provides adequate illumination for the scheduled activities as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §5, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Where provided, parking lot lighting, including building and pole mounted lighting is subject to the following standards:

1. A.
   Residential zoning listed below and all Non-Residential Uses in a Residential District.

1.  
   1. 1.
      Parking lot lighting mounting heights.

      1. a.
         Maximum height of the pole and fixture shall be no taller than 20 feet when measured from grade. Measurement shall include the pole base.

2. B.
   Commercial and Industrial Uses

1.  
   1. 1.
      Parking lot lighting mounting heights.

      1. a.
         Maximum height of the pole and fixture shall be no taller than 33 feet when measured from grade. Measurement shall include the pole base.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §6, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   Pedestrian Walkway Lighting. Pedestrian areas, including but not limited to, sidewalks, plazas and driveways, shall be illuminated to a minimum average of 1 footcandle. Lighting of pedestrian areas may be any combination of parking lot light poles or pedestrian level lighting, including but not limited to, bollard lighting, ground-mounted lighting, or other low glare-controlled fixtures mounted on building or landscape walls.
2. B.
   Lighting Height. Light fixtures used exclusively for the lighting of pedestrian areas are limited to 20 feet in height.
3. C.
   Lighting Waiver. The Planning Commission, as part of the approval of a final development plan, may waive the requirement for lighting a pedestrian area when the pedestrian area is part of an onsite trail system.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §7, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   Lighting shall be adequate to serve drive-thru and gas station canopy uses. The maximum average maintained footcandles under the canopy shall not exceed 35 footcandles.
2. B.
   Lighting temperatures may exceed 4000K so long as the fixture is fully recessed and the cover is flush with the bottom surface (ceiling) of the canopy.
3. C.
   Parking lot lighting calculations in 18.435.050.B may exclude the areas below the canopies which are within five feet from the exterior edge of the canopy.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §8, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   Parking located on the roof of a parking structure shall meet the requirements of 18.435.050.
2. B.
   All fixtures shall be shielded from outside view of the garage with either garage walls or full cutoff fixtures.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §9, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   Lighting for automobile dealerships shall be limited to non-adjustable, vertical mount, precise cut-off fixtures with flat lenses mounted horizontally to grade. The maximum allowable height for light poles shall be 24 feet, including pole base. A lighting plan, including photometrics, shall be submitted as part of the final development plan. The permitted light levels are as follows:

2. B.
   The maximum light temperature is 4000K.
3. C.
   House side shields shall be provided on all perimeter parking lot lighting fixtures.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §10, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

1. A.
   All athletic field lighting is subject to review and approval as part of a site plan or final development plan.
2. B.
   The designer shall certify that all proposed lighting for night-time activities provides adequate illumination for the scheduled activities as recommended by the most recent standards of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
3. C.
   Lighting shall be aimed at and directed to the activity areas.
4. D.
   Athletic field lighting shall be turned off within two hours after the event or closure of the facility.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §11, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Outdoor lighting fixtures installed prior to July 1, 2024 which do not conform to this Chapter but that conformed to previous city code requirements when installed, shall be deemed legally nonconforming and may remain until replaced.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3447 §12, 2024)

Effective on: 1/1/1901