Rockaway Township City Zoning Code
§ 54-29.10
Lighting.
[Ord. No. 95-24 § 54-87]
Illumination for streets and properties shall be designed in accordance with the following standards:
A.
General. Site lighting shall be designed to:
(1)
Provide adequate illumination in appropriate locations for site users and the general public for purposes of traffic and pedestrian safety, security, property and building identification, and aesthetic improvement;
(2)
Prevent excessive illumination and glare; and
(3)
Provide proper orientation and shielding of fixtures in order to prevent undue illumination of adjacent properties.
B.
Streetlighting. Light fixtures and standards shall be installed in accordance with the standards and specifications of the utility company providing the service.
C.
Minimum illumination levels. All site areas shall be adequately lighted to insure safe movement of persons and vehicles in parking lots, access drives and loading zones, at building entrances and for the intended use of the premises as approved by the Planning Board. In parking and loading areas, there shall be provided illumination in accordance with the following table. For other site areas, the minimum illumination shall be as determined by the Board, taking into account site conditions and the intended use of the property.
Level of Activity* | General Parking and Pedestrian Area Minimum Footcandles** | Vehicle Use Area (only) Average Footcandles** |
|---|---|---|
High | 0.9 | 2.0 |
Medium | 0.6 | 1.0 |
Low | 0.2 | 0.5 |
* | As determined by the Planning Board. |
** | Maintained horizontal footcandles on the pavement. |
D.
Uniformity ratio. In parking and loading areas, lighting shall be uniformly distributed in accordance with the following table:
General Parking and Pedestrian Area | Vehicle Use Area (only) | |
|---|---|---|
Level of Activity* | Uniformity Ratio** | Uniformity Ratio** |
High | 4:1 | 3:1 |
Medium | 4:1 | 3:1 |
Low | 4:1 | 4:1 |
* | As determined by the Planning Board. |
** | Average to minimum illumination level on the pavement. |
E.
Illumination at property lines. The light intensity of site lighting shall not excess 0.5 footcandle along any property line, or 0.3 footcandle along any property line abutting a property used or zoned for use as a residence. Fixtures shall be set back a distance equal to the height of the fixture from any property line abutting a property used or zoned for use as a residence.
F.
Shielding of fixtures. All lighting fixtures shall be directed downward and shall be equipped with the necessary shielding so as to prevent the direct source of light from being visible from any point beyond the property lines of the premises upon which the lighting structure is located. The shielding shall restrict the apex angle of the cone of illumination to a maximum 150°.
G.
Height of fixtures. No freestanding light fixture shall exceed a height of 25 feet. No wall-mounted fixture shall exceed the height of the wall to which it is attached, or 25 feet, whichever is less.
H.
Spotlights and floodlights. Spotlights and floodlights shall be so located and directed so as not to project light beyond the surface being illuminated or to create a nuisance or hazard.
I.
Conflicts with trees and buildings. Lighting fixtures and standards shall be located to avoid the creation of excessive areas of shadow from buildings and shade trees. Light poles shall be spaced at least 25 feet from the trunk of any shade tree.
J.
Protection from vehicles. Light poles which may be subject to impact from motor vehicles shall be mounted upon a reinforced concrete base at least three feet high, and shall be set back at least three feet from the curb face or edge of the pavement, as applicable.
K.
Duration of illumination. Duration of operation of all lighting and maximum lumen power permitted shall be as determined satisfactory by the Planning Board with due regard to whether any limitations imposed will deprive the applicant of a reasonable use of his property and whether the application will be detrimental to the public health and general welfare or to the property and personal rights of the abutting owners. Provision shall be made for the reduction in the intensity of illumination to the minimum needed for security purposes when the facility is not in operation.