This standard covers specifications for off-street parking and service facilities in Spalding County. Requirements for such facilities are specified by zoning district in the Spalding County Zoning Resolution. That ordinance refers the reader to this standard for specifications of required facilities.

A.

Parking spaces must not be reduced: Off-street parking spaces must not be reduced below the minimum required number for the use or facility to which they are assigned.

B.

Drainage, construction, and maintenance: All off-street parking, loading, and service areas must be drained so as to prevent damage to abutting properties and/or public streets, and must be improved with an asphalt or concrete surface and curb and gutter. An approved porous concrete, porous asphalt or grassed paving are also permitted. All such areas must be at all times maintained at the expense of the owners in a clean, orderly, and dust-free condition to the extent that it does not create a nuisance. Porous paving and grass paving systems shall be maintained to function as designed.

Gravel or other materials which will assure a surface resistant to erosion may be used for surplus parking in manufacturing zoning districts.

C.

Separation from walkways, sidewalks and streets: All off-street parking, loading and service areas must be separated from walkways, sidewalks and streets by curbing or other suitable protective device.

D.

Parking area design: Parking stalls must have a minimum width of nine and one-half (9½) feet and length of eighteen (18) feet. There must be provided adequate interior driveways to connect each parking space with a public right-of-way. Interior driveways must be at least twenty-four (24) feet wide where used with ninety (90) degree angle parking, at least eighteen (18) feet wide where used with sixty (60) degree angle parking, at least twelve (12) feet wide where used with forty-five (45) degree angle parking and at least twelve (12) feet wide where used with parallel parking. Where there is no parking, interior driveways must be at least twelve (12) feet wide for one-way traffic movement and at least twenty-four (24) feet wide for two-way traffic movement.

E.

Handicap parking requirements: Handicapped spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following scale:

F.

Joint parking facilities: Two (2) or more adjacent uses of the same or different types may provide joint parking facilities as long as the number of off-street parking spaces are not less than the sum of the individual requirements for each use.

G.

Pavement markings and signs. Each off-street parking space must be clearly marked and directional arrows or signs must be provided wherever necessary. Markers, directional arrows and signs must be properly maintained so as to ensure their maximum efficiency.

( Res. No. A-18-08, §§ 1, 2, 10-15-18 )

Off-street parking space must be provided and maintained as specified in the following schedule. For uses not specifically listed here the parking requirements for the listed use most similar to the unlisted use in question, as determined by the administrative officer, will apply. Parking requirements by use are as follows:

A.

Apartment or other multi-family dwelling: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit.

B.

Auditorium, stadium, assembly hall, gymnasium, theater, community recreation center, or church: Whichever of the following three (3) standards is the greatest:

1.

One (1) space per four (4) fixed seats in largest assembly room or area or:

2.

One (1) space for each forty (40) square feet of floor area available for the accommodation of moveable seats or combination of fixed and moveable seats in the largest assembly room, or:

3.

One (1) space per each one hundred fifty (150) square feet of gross floor area.

C.

Automobile fueling station: Two (2) spaces (in addition to service area) for each pump and grease rack but not less than four (4) spaces.

D.

Automobile sales and repair, service station, car wash: Two (2) spaces (in addition to service area) for each pump and grease rack, but not less than four (4) spaces, plus one (1) space for each five hundred (500) square feet of gross floor area of the shop or car wash.

E.

Bowling alley: Four (4) spaces per alley, plus requirements for any other use associated with the establishment such as a restaurant, etc.

F.

Club or lodge: One (1) space for each two (2) employees plus one (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area within the main assembly area, plus additional spaces for other uses permitted within the premises.

G.

Combined uses: The total number of required parking spaces must be equal to the sum of the spaces required for each separate use established by this schedule.

H.

Commercial recreation area (indoor or outdoor) such as YMCA or similar use: Whichever of the following two (2) standards is the greatest:

1.

One (1) space for each one hundred fifty (150) square feet of gross floor building, or ground area, or:

2.

One (1) space for each four (4) seats or facilities available for patron use.

I.

Dance school: One (1) space for each employee plus one (1) space per one hundred fifty (150) square feet of gross floor area plus adequate area for safe and convenient loading and unloading of students.

J.

Dwelling—Single-family or two-family: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit. Residential driveways will satisfy this need.

K.

Fraternity, sorority, college dormitory: One (1) space for each two (2) residents plus one (1) space for each two (2) employees.

L.

Golf course: Two (2) spaces for each hole and one (1) space for each two (2) employees, plus requirements for any other use associated with the golf course.

M.

Hospital, personal care home, intermediate care home, nursing home: One (1) space for each three (3) beds plus one (1) space for each two (2) employees (nurses attendants, etc.) plus one (1) space for each staff or visiting doctor.

N.

Hotel: One (1) space for each three (3) guest rooms, suites, or units plus one (1) space for each two (2) employees.

O.

Kindergarten, nursery school: One (1) space for each employee plus adequate area for safe and convenient loading and unloading of students.

P.

Manufacturing activity, industry, warehouse: Two (2) spaces for each three (3) employees on shift of greatest employment plus one (1) space for each vehicle used directly in the conduct of the business.

Q.

Motel: One (1) space for each unit plus one (1) space for each two (2) employees, plus requirements for any other use associated with the establishment such as a restaurant, etc.

R.

Office, professional building, or similar use: One (1) space for each three hundred (300) square feet of gross floor area plus one (1) space for each two (2) employees.

S.

Personal service establishment: One (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area but not less than two (2) spaces for each employee.

T.

Restaurant, or place dispensing food, drink, or refreshment: One (1) space for each three (3) seats plus one (1) space for each two (2) employees on shift of greatest employment.

U.

Retail store of any type not otherwise specified in this schedule: One (1) space per two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area.

V.

School—Elementary: One (1) space for each teacher plus one (1) space for each two (2) employees and administrative personnel, plus one (1) space for each classroom plus adequate area for safe and convenient loading and unloading of students.

W.

School—High, trade: One (1) space for each two (2) teachers, employees, administrative personnel and students, plus adequate area for safe and convenient loading and unloading of students.

X.

Shopping center: One (1) space for every two hundred (200) square feet of gross floor area.

Y.

Swimming pool, public: One (1) space for every two hundred (200) square feet of water surface, plus requirements for any other use associated with the establishment, such as a restaurant, etc.

Z.

Wholesale establishment: One (1) space for each employee plus sufficient space, plus one (1) space for each vehicle used directly in the conduct of the business.

Manufacturing, industrial, wholesale and retail operations must provide loading space as follows:

A.

Spaces appropriate to functions: Off-street loading spaces must be provided as appropriate to the functions and scope of operation or individual or groups of buildings and uses.

B.

Design of loading spaces: Off-street loading spaces must be designed and constructed so that all maneuvering to park vehicles for loading can take place entirely within the property lines of the premises. Loading spaces must be provided so as not to interfere with the free normal movement of vehicles and pedestrians on public rights-of-way.

C.

Ingress and egress: Ingress and egress to off-street loading spaces must conform to curb cut requirements specified in this standard.

In any case in which provision for ingress and egress involves the lowering or cutting away of curbs such a curb cut is subject to the following provisions:

A.

Only one (1) combined entrance and exit is allowed for any parcel of property with a frontage on any one (1) street of less than fifty (50) feet. No more than two (2) combined entrances and exits are allowed for any parcel of property with a frontage on any one (1) street of between fifty (50) feet and two hundred (200) feet. For parcels of property having frontage on any one (1) street of more than two hundred (200) feet, additional entrances or exits are permitted only after the developer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the planning commission that more curb cuts are needed for safety reasons, and such additional curb cuts are approved by the planning commission.

B.

At street intersections, curb cuts must be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from the intersections of the two (2) curb lines (or such lines extended) or at least fifteen (15) feet from the intersection of the two (2) intersecting property lines (or such lines extended), whichever is less.

C.

The distance between any two (2) curb cuts on the same side of the street and located on one (1) property must be at least ten (10) feet. That distance is measured between the points at which the two (2) curb cuts begin to deviate from the established curb line of the abutting street (in other words between the intersections of the curb return radii and the established curb line of the abutting street).

D.

Reserved.

E.

The maximum permitted width of any driveway at the right-of-way line of the abutting street is thirty-five (35) feet.

F.

The maximum permitted width of any curb cut, including the points at which the curb cut begins to deviate from the established curb line of the abutting street at either end of the curb cut (in other words, including the curb returns) is fifty (50) feet. However, the administrative officer may approve a specified larger width for a truck stop, if he determines that a larger curb cut Is needed for safety reasons.

G.

The sum of the two (2) curb return radii for any one (1) curb cut must not exceed fifteen (15) feet.

(Res. No. A-04-04, §§ 1, 2, 5-3-04)

The purpose and intent of this ordinance [article 2] are as follows:

A.

To encourage systematic practices in the use of outdoor electrically powered luminaries, consistent with conserving energy and maximizing the benefits to the citizenry;

B.

To increase nighttime utility, safety, security, and productivity; to foster the nighttime use of property; and to protect the privacy of residents;

C.

To reduce light trespass, obtrusive light, and sky glow; and to reduce roadway glare and extreme variations of illumination, to which elderly drivers are particularly sensitive;

D.

To preserve and enhance the natural nighttime visual environment of Spalding County;

E.

To preserve the views of the starry sky, encouraging the enjoyment of their aesthetics, the education of the public in the sciences, and the astronomical study of celestial bodies; and

F.

To accomplish these purposes by limiting illuminance levels; by directing the luminaire emissions away from roadways, other properties, and the sky; and by reducing illumination levels during later hours of the night.

201-1.

Definitions.

Beacon: A light with one (1) or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one (1) or more points not on the same property as the light source; also any light system with one (1) or more beams that rotate or move.

Cutoff: A luminaire light distribution where the emission does not exceed two and one-half (2.5) percent of the lamp lumens at an angle of ninety (90) degrees above nadir, and does not exceed ten (10) percent at a vertical angle of eighty (80) degrees above nadir. These emission values apply to all lateral angles around the installed luminaire.

Footcandle: A unit of measure for illuminance on a surface that is everywhere one (1) foot from a point source of light of one (1) candle, and equal to one (1) lumen per square foot of area.

Full cutoff: A luminaire light distribution where zero emission occurs at all angles of ninety (90) degrees or greater above nadir, and the emission does not exceed ten (10) percent of total lamp lumens at a vertical angle or eighty (80) degrees above nadir. These emission values apply to all lateral angles around the installed luminaire.

Glare: The sensation produced within the visual field by luminance that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted, causing annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.

Illuminance: The quantity of light arriving at a surface divided by the area of the illuminated surface, measured in footcandles. Horizontal illuminance applies to a horizontal surface; vertical illuminance applies to a vertical surface. Average illuminance is the level of illuminance over an entire illuminated target area. Maximum illuminance is the highest level of illuminance on any point within the entire area; minimum illuminance is the lowest level of illuminance on any point within the entire area.

Illuminance levels: All illuminance levels and foot candles noted in this ordinance [article 2] mean the maintained illuminance levels: the illuminance levels occurring just prior to lamp replacement and luminaire cleaning. The average illuminance level applies to an entire illuminated target area. Minimum and maximum illuminance levels apply to small areas within the entire illuminated target area. Unless otherwise noted, illuminance levels refer to horizontal illuminance levels.

Lamp: The component of an outdoor luminaire that produces light.

Light trespass: Unwanted light emitted beyond the boundaries of the property on which the luminaire is located, detrimentally affecting residents, vehicle operators and pedestrians, the natural environment, and astronomical observations.

Luminaire (light fixture): A complete fixed or movable lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps and ballasting (when applicable) together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps, and to connect the lamps to the power supply.

Person: Any individual, tenant, lessee, owner, or any commercial entity, including, but not limited to, a firm, business, partnership, association, joint venture, corporation, or organization, whether commercial, religious, fraternal, social or otherwise, or any agent thereof.

Roadway lighting: Lighting that is specifically intended to illuminate roadways for automobiles, excluding the lighting intended to illuminate roadways only for pedestrians.

Security lighting: Continuous illumination of non-roadway territory when there is no/minimal nighttime activity by authorized individuals.

Semi-cutoff: A luminaire light distribution where the emission does not numerically exceed five (5) percent of the total at an angle of ninety (90) degrees above nadir, and twenty (20) percent at a vertical angle of eighty (80) degrees above nadir. These values apply to all lateral angles around the installed luminaire.

Shielded: Provided with internal and/or external shields, top and side visors, hoods, and internal louvers to limit glare, sky glow, and light trespass caused by emission from luminaires.

Sky glow: The brightening of the nighttime atmosphere by light emitted above the horizontal plane and by light reflected upward from illuminated surfaces, which reduces the visibility of astronomical objects.

Uniformity ratio: A higher level of illumination in relation to a lower level of illumination within a given target area. A value for either the maximum-to-minimum ratio or the average-to minimum ratio may be required. For example, if the average-to-minimum uniformity ratio is 4:1 for the given target area, the lowest level of illuminance is no less than one (1) divided by four (4) [twenty-five (25) percent] of the average level of illuminance.

201-2

Light trespass.

A.

All luminaires, except street lighting and those used on one- or two-family dwellings, shall be located, designed, fitted, aimed, shielded, installed, and maintained to limit illumination only to the target and to minimize light trespass. The designed illuminance for pavement or ground shall be provided by a luminaire installed closer than four (4) times the luminaire height. Directional luminaires such as floodlights, wall pack lights, and spotlights shall be aimed so that the center of the beam is not more than sixty-two (62) degrees above nadir. Directional luminaires shall be shielded as needed for minimizing misdirected light.

B.

Vertical illumination from luminaires on any single property shall not exceed 0.1 footcandles at a height of three (3) feet at a property line of a residential zoning district or a nature-preserve type park; and shall not exceed 0.5 footcandles at a property line of other types of property, except where a greater illumination at the property line is due to luminaires on that property.

201-3

Glare control on roadways.

A.

Glare from luminaires. It shall be unlawful to place or maintain on private property any luminaire of such intensity or brilliance within the field of view of a driver so as to impair his/her vision upon the public roadway, or to interfere otherwise with the operation of a motor vehicle. Every reasonable effort shall be made to ensure that the brilliance of any luminaire less than ten (10) degrees from a passenger car driver's line of sight; either along the roadway ahead or toward each traffic control device, sign, or signal; does not exceed the brilliance of a headlight on an oncoming passenger car whose extended center line lies ten (10) feet to the driver's left, when the car is between sixty (60) and one hundred (100) feet from the driver, and when the lowermost distribution of light from the headlight is in use.

B.

Reflected solar glare. No building of more than one (1) story, on which glass constitutes more than one quarter of a side, shall be constructed, until the orientations for the glass have been selected which will avoid sunlight reflections within ten (10) degrees of the driver's field of view upon any public roadway. The orientations for the glass shall account for the bearing and altitude angles of the sun at all times of day on all days of the year.

201-4

Luminaire source types regulated.

A.

All following luminaire source types and wattages shall be subject to this ordinance [article 2]:

1.

All metal halide, fluorescent, and mercury vapor.

2.

High pressure sodium: exceeding thirty-five (35) watts.

3.

Low pressure sodium: exceeding eighteen (18) watts.

4.

Incandescent and quartz-halogen: exceeding one hundred (100) watts.

B.

Filtering of source types. Mercury vapor, fluorescent, and metal halide lamps shall be installed in luminaires enclosed by acrylic, translucent material, or glass which filters out ultraviolet light; quartz glass does not qualify.

201-5

Restrictions of various outdoor lighting applications.

A.

Parking areas.

1.

All luminaires shall be the full cutoff type, except for large areas, such as those used primarily for the parking of trucks or buses, where luminaire supports inside the areas would restrict the function or compromise safety. Shielded floodlights shall be used for these areas. The height of the luminaires shall be not greater than thirty-five (35) feet, except for large areas in outdoor recreational facilities.

2.

Examples of levels of activity for outdoor parking uses are described as follows:

a.

High level of activity.

1.

Regional shopping centers containing retail space of three hundred thousand (300,000) square feet or greater;

2.

Fast food facilities with customer seating of forty (40) or greater;

3.

Entertainment theaters, assembly, sports arenas;

4.

Major cultural or civic events;

5.

Major league athletic events;

6.

Truck or bus parking;

7.

Automatic teller machines;

8.

Fueling stations, except drive-under canopies and pump islands;

9.

Automotive dealerships.

b.

Medium level of activity.

1.

Community shopping centers containing retail space of five thousand (5,000) to two hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (299,999) square feet;

2.

Cultural, civic or recreational events;

3.

Office parks;

4.

Hotels and motels;

5.

Hospital parking;

6.

Transportation parking (airports, commuter lots, etc.);

7.

Residential complex parking.

c.

Low level of activity.

1.

Neighborhood shopping centers containing retail space of less than five thousand (5,000) square feet;

2.

Industrial employee parking;

3.

Restaurants other than fast food;

4.

Educational facility parking;

5.

Parking at houses of religious assembly;

6.

All other levels of activity than high and medium.

3.

The maximum allowable maintained horizontal illuminance values on pavement are indicated for the applicable level of activity. The maximum allowable uniformity ratios are indicated.

a.

Level of activity. General parking, bikeways and pedestrian traffic minimum footcandles uniformity ratio (average to minimum).

b.

Level of activity. Vehicle use area only average footcandles uniformity ratio (average to minimum).

B.

Outdoor advertising signs and other signs.

1.

Any externally illuminated outdoor advertising sign erected subsequent to the effective date of this ordinance shall be illuminated from the top. Vertical illuminance shall not exceed fifty-five (55) footcandles.

2.

In the event that any sign is rendered nonfunctional by damage, the lighting shall be made to conform to this ordinance when the function of the sign is restored.

3.

The source of light for signs shall be effectively shielded from adjacent residential properties and streets. Illumination shall not exceed 0.5 footcandles measured in a vertical plane above a height of five (5) feet at a residential property line or right-of-way.

4.

Flashing, blinking, rotating, or moving objects on signs, caused by either electrically powered illumination or solar reflection, within a distance of one hundred fifty (150) feet of a street, are prohibited.

C.

Roadway lighting and street lights.

1.

Illumination levels shall comply with the Spalding County Street Light District Ordinance.

2.

All luminaires except those within residential areas shall be the full cutoff type.

3.

For period or historical type luminaires, only the cutoff and semi-cutoff types are allowed.

D.

Drive-under canopies and pump islands at fueling stations. In order to limit adaptation problems of the eyes of drivers while leaving a bright area and entering a dark area, the average horizontal illuminance on the pavement shall not exceed five (5) footcandles under a canopy where all adjacent roadways have no street lights, and shall not exceed ten (10) footcandles under a canopy where an adjacent roadway has street lights. The luminaire shall be recessed into the canopy ceiling so that the bottom of the luminaire does not extend below the ceiling.

E.

Outdoor recreational facilities. Illumination shall be provided by full cutoff luminaires, except for large areas, where luminaire supports inside the areas would restrict the function or compromise safety. Examples of such large areas include, but are not limited to, baseball, softball, soccer, football, and golf driving ranges. Shielded floodlights shall be used for these areas. Smaller areas, including tennis, volleyball, racquetball and handball courts, and swimming pools shall utilize full cutoff luminaires and shall conform to the requirements of this ordinance regarding light trespass. The average illuminance on ground shall not exceed fifty (50) footcandles.

F.

Construction, manufacturing, repair, loading and unloading platforms, and active storage yards. Illumination for these facilities shall be provided by full cutoff luminaires, except for particularly large areas, such as a trucking terminal for which luminaire supports would restrict the function or compromise safety. Shielded floodlights shall be used in these areas. The average illuminance on pavement or ground shall not exceed ten (10) footcandles.

G.

Outdoor display lots and car dealerships. Any light source permitted by this ordinance [article 2] may be used for lighting of outdoor display lots such as, but not limited to, automobile sales or rental, recreational vehicle sales, or building material sales. Illumination shall be provided by full cutoff luminaires. The maximum allowable illuminance values on pavement for car dealerships are listed in the following table.

Table of Illuminance Levels and Uniformities for Car Dealerships

H.

Landscape, decorative, and architectural lighting.

1.

Luminaires used to illuminate flags, statues, steeples, monuments, and other tall narrow objects shall be illuminated with the type of luminaire that directs the narrowest beam capable of illuminating the object. Illuminance at the level of the illuminated object shall not exceed ten (10) footcandles.

2.

Lighting on buildings for aesthetic purposes shall be directed downward from the top. Exception: selected portions of a building may be illuminated from below, if the portions illuminated total less than half (½) of the vertical face. The average illuminance shall not exceed ten (10) footcandles.

3.

All outside illumination of any building and/or surrounding landscape, public or private, for esthetic, architectural, or decorative purposes is prohibited after 11:00 p.m. or when the business closes, whichever is later.

I.

Security lighting and time restrictions.

1.

Full cutoff luminaires shall be used for all security lighting and dusk-to-dawn area lighting.

2.

The maximum level of illumination on areas used for outdoor sales and display, eating, parking, assembly, service, storage of equipment and freight, loading and unloading, repair, maintenance, commercial activities, and industrial activities shall not continue after 11:00 p.m., nor more than one (1) hour after active use of the area ceases, if later.

3.

The number of luminaires remaining on for security lighting shall not exceed one-fourth (¼) the total number of each type of luminaire used for the maximum level of illumination; after dividing the total number by four (4), any remainder is counted as a whole number.

4.

No outdoor recreational facility shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude a scheduled recreational or sporting event in progress prior to 11:00 p.m. The luminaires shall be extinguished after outdoor recreational events are completed and the site has been vacated.

5.

Automatic timing devices that control the hours of illumination may remain on Eastern Standard Time throughout the year.

K.

Tower lighting. White strobe lights shall not be operated on towers later than one (1) hour after sunset nor prior to one (1) hour before sunrise, except in conditions required by the Federal Aviation Administration. Red lights shall be used on towers only where required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

201-6

Prohibited lights.

A.

Promotional beacons, search lights, laser source lights, strobe light, or any similar high intensity light, when projected above the horizontal.

B.

Series, lines, or rows of lights, whether supported by cables or other physical means, within a distance of one hundred fifty (150) feet of a roadway.

C.

Lighting used for causing sky glow to attract attention, in excess of the lighting used to provide safety, security, and utility.

201-7

Approved materials and methods.

A.

The provisions of this ordinance are not intended to prevent the use of any design, material or method of installation or operation not specifically prohibited herein, provided any such alternate has been approved by the community development director. The community development director may approve any such proposed alternate provided he/she finds that it:

1.

Provides approximate equivalence to the applicable specific requirements of this ordinance [article 2]; and

2.

Is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of this ordinance [article 2].

201-8

Permits and development plan reviews.

A.

This ordinance [article 2] section shall be implemented as a condition of approving development projects.

B.

Whenever a person is required to obtain a building or electrical permit for outdoor lighting or signage, subdivision approval, or approval of any residential, commercial, industrial, mixed use subdivision plan, or any land development plan approval by the county, including all county projects, the applicant shall, as a part of said application, submit sufficient information to enable the community development director to determine whether the proposed outdoor lighting will comply with this ordinance [article 2]. Submission of plans and evidence of compliance shall include the following:

1.

A site plan indicating the layout of proposed luminaire locations;

2.

An impact statement demonstrating that the proper steps have been taken to ensure no negative impact upon the community and its residents. This statement shall include a plan showing the location and use of adjacent properties;

3.

Manufacturer's catalog cuts that provide a description of the luminaires, including wattage, lumen output, glare reduction/control devices, lamps, on-off cycle control devices, and mounting devices;

4.

Mounting heights and aiming angles with photometric data showing the angle of cut-off of light emissions for the proposed luminaires;

5.

Maintained horizontal illuminance shown as footcandles, after depreciation.

a.

Maximum.

b.

Minimum.

c.

Average, during operating and non-operating hours.

d.

Maximum to minimum uniformity ratio.

e.

Average to minimum uniformity ratio.

6.

In areas where more than half (½) of the maximum allowable illumination footcandle values listed in this ordinance [article 2] are applied for: a photometric grid, showing footcandle readings every ten (10) feet and the average footcandles, that demonstrates adequate illumination intensity and uniformity at ground level; and footcandle values measured three (3) feet above ground level along the boundaries of the site where adjacent to a residential zoning district and a nature-preserve type park.

7.

Supporting documentation when using recommendations by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, a professional engineer, a professional architect, or other authority on outdoor lighting.

8.

Such other information as the community development director may determine is necessary to ensure compliance with this ordinance [article 2].

C.

If the community development director determines that the proposed lighting does not comply with this ordinance [article 2], the permit shall not be issued or the plan approved.

D.

For the approval of any multi-story building having over twenty-five (25) percent exterior glass, submit documents showing that reflected sunlight at all times of the day and on all days of the year will be minimized in the directions that will cause glare on public roads.

201-9

Petitions for street lighting in subdivisions containing lots which are 1.1 acres in size or larger.

A.

This provision does not apply to subdivisions which have applied and approved as a street light district.

B.

The residents of a subdivision containing lots which are 1.1 acres in size or larger may request street lighting by submitting a petition to the Planning and Zoning Department of Spalding County.

1.

This petition shall show a seventy-five (75) percent support for the request by all residents whose properties are located, in whole or in part, within two hundred fifty (250) feet of a proposed street light.

B.

The request shall include a location sketch indicating the individual siting of street lights within the subdivision, along with the residential location of each signatory to the petition.

C.

It shall be the responsibility of the petitioners and homeowners within the subdivision to pay the initial, installation, and maintenance costs, including the standards/poles.

201-10

Temporary lighting permits.

A.

The community development director may grant a permit for temporary lighting, which does not conform to the provisions of this ordinance [article 2], if he/she finds the following:

1.

The purpose for which the lighting is proposed is not intended to extend beyond thirty (30) days, except that the permit for a major construction project may extend to completion.

2.

The proposed lighting is designed in such a manner as to minimize light trespass, glare, and sky glow;

3.

The proposed lighting will comply with the general intent of this ordinance [article 2];

4.

The permit will be in the public interest, such as circus, fair, carnival, or civic uses.

B.

The application for the temporary lighting permit shall include the following information:

1.

Name and address of applicant and property owner;

2.

Location of proposed luminaire(s);

3.

Type, wattage and lumen output of lamp(s);

4.

Type and shielding of proposed luminaires;

5.

Intended use of the lighting;

6.

Duration of time for requested exemption;

7.

The nature of the exemption;

8.

Other information that the planning director may request;

9.

Means to minimize light trespass, sky glow, and glare.

C.

The community development director will endeavor to rule on the application within five (5) business days from the date of submission of the request and notify the applicant in writing of his/her decision. The community development director may grant one (1) renewal of the permit for an additional thirty (30) days if he/she finds that, because of an unanticipated change in circumstances, a renewal would be in the public interest.

The community development director is not authorized to grant more than one (1) temporary permit and one (1) renewal for a thirty-day period for the same property within one calendar year.

201-11

Variances.

A.

Any person may submit an application to the zoning board of appeals for a variance from particular regulations. The application should include evidence about the following items:

1.

How the proposed design and appearance of the luminaire are superior.

2.

How sky glow, light trespass, and glare will be limited.

3.

How the proposed solution will provide a benefit without negative impact on the health, safety, or welfare of the community.

B.

The application may include the recommended practices of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, a professional engineer, a professional architect, or other authority on outdoor lighting.

C.

The existence of a particular luminaire system in Spalding County or in another jurisdiction prior to the effective date of this ordinance [article 2] shall not constitute justification for a variance.

D.

The county, at its discretion, may waive or grant a variance from specific requirements of this lighting ordinance [article 2].

201-12

Nonconforming uses.

A.

Any construction permit that invokes certificate of occupancy requirements shall specify and require that any nonconforming lighting, located within the boundaries of the development site authorized by said permit, shall be brought into conformance with the provisions of this ordinance [article 2] within five (5) years of the effective date of this ordinance [article 2].

B.

Any change in zoning classification on which a nonconforming luminaire exists will require that the luminaire shall be made to conform to the provisions of this ordinance [article 2].

201-13

Exceptions. The following outdoor lights are exempt from all requirements of this ordinance [article 2]:

A.

Federal laws, state laws, rules and regulations, which shall prevail over the conflicting provision, so that the remaining portion of this ordinance [article 2] shall be deemed to be of full force and effect.

B.

Outdoor luminaires existing and legally installed prior to the effective date of this ordinance [article 2], provided, however, that no change in use, replacement, structural alteration, or restoration of such luminaires, except for bulb replacement, shall be made unless it thereafter conforms to the provisions of this ordinance [article 2].

C.

Airport lighting that is required for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft during flight, takeoff, landing, and taxiing. All other outdoor lighting at airport facilities shall comply with the provisions of this ordinance [article 2].

D.

Emergency lighting by police, fire, ambulance, and rescue authorities.

E.

Lighting for meteorological data gathering purposes.

F.

Lamps producing light directly by the combustion of natural gas, kerosene, or other fossil fuels.

G.

Glass tubes filled with neon, argon, and krypton.

H.

Fluorescent tubes that are filtered to show a specific color: violet, blue, green, or yellow.

I.

Luminaires installed on, in, and connection with those facilities on land owned or operated by the federal government or the State of Georgia, or any department, division, agency or instrumentality thereof.

J.

Low-wattage fluorescent, quartz-halogen, and incandescent light sources used for holiday decorations.

K.

For nonresidential properties, a total of luminaires not exceeding four (4) per acre, or per lot that is smaller than one (1) acre, of any combination of the following luminaire source types and wattages:

1.

Fluorescent, forty-eight-inch maximum length tube: Not greater than sixty (60) watts.

2.

High pressure sodium: Fifty (50) watts.

3.

Low pressure sodium: Thirty-five (35) watts.

4.

Incandescent: Not greater than two hundred (200) watts.

5.

Quartz-halogen: One hundred fifty (150) watts.

201-14

Violations and enforcement.

A.

It shall be unlawful to install, erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert, or operate an outdoor luminaire in violation of this ordinance [article 2].

B.

The county may require corrective action for any lighting installation that becomes nonconforming, due to damage or lack of maintenance.

C.

The county is authorized to order the modification of any luminaire that it finds to be a definite hazard or gross nuisance to the public, particularly a brilliant luminaire that causes objectionable glare to the users of a roadway.

201-15

Luminaires funded by county. All outdoor lights funded by Spalding County shall be installed in accordance with this ordinance [article 2]. Funds include any bond revenues or any money appropriated or allocated by the Spalding County Board of Commissioners.

( Ord. No. 2022-006, 10-3-22)