Summerset City Zoning Code

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

REQUIREMENTS

§ 155.195 INTENT.

(A) (1) The intent of this subchapter is to focus on the actual physical effects of lighting, as well as the effect that lighting may have on the surrounding neighborhood. Exterior lighting shall be evaluated in the planned development process to ensure that the functional and security needs of the project are met in a way that does not adversely affect the adjacent properties or neighborhoods.

(2) The degree to which exterior night lighting affects a property owner or neighborhood will be examined considering the light source, level of illumination, hours of illumination, and need for illumination in relation to the effects of the lighting on adjacent property owners and the neighborhood.

(B) The purpose is to create standards for outdoor light so that its use does not unreasonably interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment of property within the jurisdiction. It is the intent of this subchapter to encourage, through regulation of types, kinds, construction, installation, and uses of outdoor electrically powered illuminating devices, lighting practices and systems which will conserve energy without decreasing nighttime safety, utility, security, and productivity, while enhancing nighttime enjoyment of property within the incorporated areas of the city.

(1) Eliminate glare into neighboring property or street rights-of-way;

(2) Limit light trespass over a property line onto residential property;

(3) Limit the maximum light level for buildings;

(4) Assure that lighting standards will be complied with prior to building permit issuance; and

(5) Encourage community lighting practices that will promote personal safety and crime prevention.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.196 CONFORMANCE WITH APPLICABLE CODES.

All outdoor electrically powered illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, the State Electrical Code, and the city as applicable and under appropriate permit and inspection.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.197 APPLICABILITY.

Whenever a person is required to obtain a zoning permit, electrical permit for outdoor lighting or signage, a conditional use permit, subdivision approval, or development plan approval by the city including all city projects, or whenever a person requests a rezoning, the applicant shall, as part of said application, submit sufficient information to enable the Zoning Administrator to determine whether the proposed lighting will comply with this section.

(A) The application shall include the following:

(1) A site plan indicating the proposed location of all outdoor lighting fixtures and signs;

(2) A description of each illumination device, fixture, lamp, support, and shield. This description may include, but is not limited to, manufacturer’s catalog cut-sheets and drawings (including sections where required), lamp types, and lumen outputs;

(3) Photometric data, such as that furnished by manufacturers or similar, showing the angle of cut-off of light emissions for the proposed luminaire(s); and

(4) Such other information as the Zoning Administrator may determine is necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.

(B) If the Zoning Administrator determines that the proposed lighting does not comply with this chapter, the permit shall not be issued or the plan approved.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.198 APPROVED MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION OR INSTALLATION/OPERATION.

(A) The provisions of this subchapter are not intended to prevent the use of any design, material, or method of installation or operation not specifically prescribed by this chapter, provided any such alternate has been approved.

(B) The Building Official may approve any such proposed alternate providing if found that it:

(1) Provides at least approximate equivalence to the applicable specific requirements of this code;

(2) Is satisfactory and complies with the intent of this chapter; or

(3) Has been designed or approved by a registered professional engineer and its content and function promotes the intent of this chapter.

(a) The maximum light level shall be no greater than three foot candles field measured at the property line (ground level) for all non-residential/multi-family properties located adjacent to residentially used or zoned property.

(b) The maximum height of light luminaire when located within 150 feet of residentially used or zoned property shall be 25 feet above the parking surface. All other light luminaires shall have a maximum height of 30 feet above parking surface.

(c) Maximum on-site lighting levels shall not exceed ten foot candles, except for loading and unloading platforms where the maximum lighting levels shall be 20 foot candles.

(d) Canopy luminaires shall include a 90-degree cut-off type, deflector, refractor, or forward throw light fixture. The maximum number of canopy luminaires shall be determined by the following industry standard:

Canopy length (in feet) x canopy width (in feet) x 3 = Maximum No. Lamp Wattage of Canopy Luminaires

(e) On-site lighting, other than canopy luminaires, shall consist of well shielded luminaires. A 90-degree cut-off type, deflector, refractor, or forward throw light fixture is required when luminaires are greater than 2,000 lumens where located within 150 feet of residentially used or zoned property or street right-of way.

(f) Submittal of photometric plans shall be required with all site plan checks for building permits with a lighted canopy, or on property with lighting parking lots.

(g) Site lighting that may be confused with warning, emergency, or traffic signals is prohibited.

(h) The style of light standards and fixtures shall be consistent with the style and character of architecture proposed on the site. Poles shall be anodized (or otherwise coated) to minimize glare from the light source.

(4) (a) With the exception of lighting for public streets and private streets, all other project lighting used to illuminate buildings, parking lots, walkways, plazas, or the landscape shall be evaluated during the planned development process.

(b) The following table gives minimum and, for under-canopy fueling areas, maximum lighting levels for outdoor facilities used at night:

Table 1: Area/Activity**	Foot candle
Building surrounds (non-residential)	1.0
Bikeways along roadside
Commercial areas	0.9
Intermediate areas	0.6
Residential areas	0.2
Walkways along roadside
Commercial areas	0.9
Intermediate areas	0.6
Residential areas	0.5
Park walkways	0.5
Pedestrian stairways	0.3
Loading and unloading platforms	5.0
Parking areas	1.0
Playgrounds	5.0
Under-canopy area (average maintained maximum)	20.0
Under-canopy area (initial installation maximum)	26.0
**Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Handbook

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.199 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

FIXTURE. The assembly that holds the lamp (bulb) in a lighting system. It includes the elements designed to give light output control, such as a reflector (mirror) or refractor (lens), the ballast, housing, and the attachment parts.

FOOT CANDLE. A unit of measure for luminance. A unit of luminance on a surface that is everywhere one foot from a uniform point source of light of one candle and equal to one lumen per square foot.

FULL-CUTOFF (FCO). A light fixture which cuts off all upward transmission of light.

GLARE. Discomfort experienced by an observer with a direct line of sight to a light source which often results in visual impairment.

HID LIGHTING (HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LIGHTING.) A family of bulb type including mercury vapor, metal halide, or high pressure or low pressure sodium, which glow when an electric current is passed through a gas mixture inside the bulb.

HORIZONTAL (OR VERTICAL) FOOT CANDLES. The amount of light striking a vertical or horizontal plane.

INVENTORY OF LIGHTING. A list of lamps indicating the bulb type, bulb wattage, and manufacturer through which the rated lumens can be determined.

LIGHT SOURCE. The bulb and lens, diffuser, or reflective enclosure.

LIGHT TRESPASS. Light projected onto a property from a fixture not located on that property.

LUMEN. Measure of brightness of the illumination exiting a bulb, provided by fixture manufacturer.

LUMINAIRE. The complete lighting unit, including the lamp, the fixture, and other parts.

NON-CUTOFF. A light fixture which does not cut off all upward transmission of light.

PHOTOMETRIC PLAN. A plan used for an approval process or construction indicating the number, location, type of luminaire, and manufacturer’s specification data, on proposed site lighting, both pole- and building-mounted.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.200 SHIELDING.

(A) All non-exempt outdoor lighting fixtures shall have shielding as required by the table below in this division (A).

FULLY SHIELDED. Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that no light rays are emitted by the installed fixture at angles above the horizontal plane as certified by a photometric test report.

PARTIALLY SHIELDED. Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that no more than 10% of the light rays are emitted by the installed fixture at angles above the horizontal plane as certified by a photometric test report.

Table 2: Shielding Requirements
Fixture Lamp Type	Shielding
Low pressure sodium	Partially
High pressure sodium	Fully
Metal halide	Fully 1, 5
Fluorescent	Fully 2, 4
Quartz	Fully 3
Incandescent greater than 160 watts	Fully
Incandescent 160 watt or less	None
Any light source of 50 watt or less	None
Glass tubes filled with neon, argon, or krypton	None
Other source	As approved by the Building Official

(B) (1) Metal halide lighting, used primarily for display purposes, shall not be used for security lighting after 11:00 p.m. or after closing hours if before 11:00 p.m. Metal halide lamps shall be installed only in enclosed luminaries.

(2) (a) Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding.

(b) Dark backgrounds with light lettering or symbols are preferred, to minimize detrimental effects.

(c) Unless conforming to the above dark background preference, total lamp wattage per property shall be less than 160 watts.

(3) For the purposes of this subchapter, quartz lamps shall not be considered an incandescent light source.

(4) Warm white and natural lamps are preferred, to minimize detrimental effects.

(5) For filtering requirements for metal halide fixture lamp types, see Section 7.

(C) Existing outdoor lighting shall be brought into conformance with this chapter within two years from the date of adoption of the ordinance codified herein.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.201 FILTRATION.

Metal halide fixture lamp types shall be filtered. FILTERED means any outdoor light fixtures which has a glass, acrylic, or translucent enclosure of the light source.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.202 OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNS.

(A) Top mounted fixtures required. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate an outdoor advertising sign shall be mounted on the top of the sign structure or lighted internally. All such fixtures shall comply with the shielding requirements.

(B) Prohibitions.

(1) Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise the following morning.

(2) Recreational facilities. No outdoor recreational facility, public or private, shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude a specific recreational or sporting event or any other similar activity conducted at or in the facility which was in progress under such illumination prior to 11:00 p.m.

(C) Compliance limit. Existing outdoor advertising structures shall be brought into conformance with this chapter within two years from the date of adoption of the ordinance codified herein.

(D) Outdoor display lots. Outdoor display lots for vehicle sales and leasing shall comply with the requirements of this chapter. In addition, display fixture illumination shall be reduced within 30 minutes after closing so that the remaining illumination levels are sufficient for security purposes only; provided, however, that any illumination used after 11:00 p.m. shall be reduced to levels sufficient for security purposes only.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.203 TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS.

(A) Request renewal information required.

(1) Any person may submit a written request, on a form provided by the Zoning Administrator, for a temporary exemption request.

(2) A temporary exemption shall contain the following information:

(a) Specific exemption or exemptions requested;

(b) Type and use of outdoor fixture involved;

(d) Type of lamp and calculated lumens;

(e) Total wattage of lamp or lamps;

(f) Proposed location on premises of the outdoor light fixture(s);

(g) Previous temporary exemptions, if any, and addresses of premises there under;

(h) Physical size of outdoor light fixture(s) and type of shielding provided; and

(i) Such other data and information as may be required by the Zoning Administrator.

(B) Approval; duration. The Zoning Administrator shall have 30 days from the date of submission of the request for temporary exemption to act, in writing, on the request. If approved, the exemption shall be valid for not more than 60 days from the date of issuance of the approval.

(C) Disapproval; appeal. If the request for temporary exemption is disapproval, the person making the request will have the appeal rights provided in §§ 155.195 through 155.204.

(Ord. passed 2-3-2011, § 2.26.100)

§ 155.204 OTHER EXEMPTIONS.

The following structures or uses are exempt from these lighting standards: public recreation facilities, parks, pedestrian walkways, airport runways, telecommunication towers, broadcast towers, and historic period lighting.

(A) Nonconformance.

(1) Mercury vapor lamps shall not be used.

(2) Bottom mounted outdoor advertising sign lighting shall not be used.

(3) All other outdoor light fixtures lawfully installed prior to and operable on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are exempt from all requirements of this chapter except those regulated. There shall be no change in use or lamp type, or any replacement or structural alteration made, without conforming to all applicable requirements of this chapter.

(B) Fossil fuel light. All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of natural gas or other fossil fuels are exempt from all requirements of this chapter.

(C) State and federal facilities. Outdoor light fixtures installed on, in and in connection with those facilities on land owned or operated by the federal government or the state, or any department, division, agency, or instrumentality thereof, are exempt from all requirements of this chapter. Voluntary compliance with the intent of this chapter at those facilities is encouraged.