6.1.1 PURPOSE

The standards set forth in this section are designed to focus on the actual physical effects of lighting, as well as the effect that lighting may have on the surrounding neighborhood. It is the intent of this section to:

A.

Minimize light pollution, such as glare and light trespass.

B.

Conserve energy and resources.

C.

Maintain night-time safety and utility.

D.

Improve the night-time visual environment.

6.1.2 APPLICABILITY

Unless otherwise specified, this section shall apply to all development in the Town of Tarboro which required an application or approval as specified in this Ordinance. This includes, but is not limited to, changes of use, building expansions/reconstruction, and parking area expansions for existing development according to the provisions of Chapter 13.

6.1.3 NONCONFORMING LIGHTING

Any nonconforming lighting fixture lawfully in place and approved by the town prior to the adoption of this Ordinance shall be exempt from these requirements. Routine maintenance, including changing the lamp, ballast, starter, photo control, lens, and other required components, is permitted for all existing fixtures. At the time that a nonconforming fixture, which was installed prior to the adoption of this Ordinance, is replaced, moved, upgraded, or otherwise changed, the fixture must be replaced by a fixture that is in compliance with this Ordinance and the NC Energy Code.

6.2.1 PROHIBITIONS

The following lighting types shall be prohibited within the jurisdiction of the Town of Tarboro:

A.

The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment.

B.

The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes.

C.

Sight lighting that may be confused with warning, emergency, or traffic signals.

D.

Lights that flash, move, revolve, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or color, or use intermittent electrical pulsation.

E.

Awnings and canopies used for building accents over doors, windows, etc., shall not be internally lit (i.e., from underneath or behind) so as to visually turn a translucent material into an internally illuminated material. Lighting may be installed under canopies to light the sidewalk, or downlights onto the architectural features of a building.

6.2.2 EXEMPTIONS

The following exemption shall be granted from the requirements of this section:

A.

Luminaries installed for public roadway illumination may be installed at a maximum height of 37 feet and may be positioned at that height up to the edge of any bordering property.

B.

All emergency lighting needed by the Police or Fire Departments, or other emergency services, as well as all vehicle luminaries, shall be exempt from the requirements of this Ordinance.

C.

All hazard warning luminaries required by federal regulatory agencies are exempt from the requirements of this Ordinance, except that all luminaries used must be red and must be shown to be as close as possible to the federally required minimum lumen output requirement for the specific task.

D.

Individual residential lighting that is not part of a site plan or subdivision plan for street or other common or public area outdoor lighting.

E.

Lighting associated with holiday, festival, or other temporary uses permitted in Chapter 3 of this Ordinance.

F.

Lighting of public art that has been permitted or otherwise approved by the town.

G.

Other municipal or state lighting installed for the benefit of the public health, safety, and general welfare.

H.

All fixtures installed or temporarily used by public agencies, their agents, or contractors for the purpose of illuminating public streets.

I.

Lighting of US and North Carolina flags provided that the flag standard does not exceed the maximum permitted building height in the zoning district in which it is located.

6.3.1 GENERAL DESIGN STANDARDS

A.

Background spaces such as parking lots and driveways shall be illuminated as unobtrusively as possible to meet the functional needs of safe circulation and of protecting people and property.

B.

Foreground spaces, such as building entrances and plaza seating areas, shall utilize lighting that defines, highlights, or enhances the space without glare.

C.

The style of light standards and fixtures shall be consistent with the style and character of the architecture proposed on the site.

D.

Light poles and fixtures shall be of a matte or low-gloss gray, black, dark earthen, or bronze finish, unless permission is granted by the Administrator for a special color or theme.

E.

No outdoor pole lighting fixture shall be located within any required landscape buffer or street yard.

F.

Light sources must be compatible with the light produced from surrounding areas and must produce an unobtrusive degree of brightness in both illumination levels and color temperature.

G.

Natural areas and natural features shall be protected from light spillage from off-site sources.

H.

All exterior lighting, on or off a building, shall be either amber or white in color, with the exception of low-light output (800 lumens or lower) landscaping or other decorative lighting, signage lighting, or customer entrance or service area lights aiming down and installed under a canopy or similar roof structure.

6.3.2 DISTRICT LIGHTING STANDARDS IN FOOT-CANDLES (FC)

A.

Maximum lighting levels shall adhere to the standards of the chart below. All numerical values in the chart below represent measurements in foot-candles.

1.

The values in the preceding chart for "Parking Areas" shall represent the average point of horizontal illuminance measured in foot-candles, provided that in all districts the maximum uniformity ratio shall be 4:1 minimum to average.

6.3.3 CONTROL OF GLARE—LUMINAIRE DESIGN FACTORS

A.

Pole light fixtures shall have a flat lens oriented horizontally or have shields installed on each side of the fixture to hide the lens.

B.

Any luminaire shall be a full cut-off type fixture.

C.

Any luminaire shall be mounted at a height equal to or less than 30 feet above the finished grade.

D.

The maximum mounting height of all outdoor lighting with a 90° or less degree cut-off fixture shall be 30 feet. The maximum mounting height of all outdoor lighting without a full 90° or less cut-off fixture shall be 16 feet. Poles may be mounted on a concrete pier no more than 3 feet in height.

E.

Other than floodlights, flood lamps, and spotlights, all outdoor fixtures of more than 2,000 lumens shall be full cut-off fixtures. Any fixture than is not full cut-off shall be a directional fixture (such as floodlights) and may be used provided they are aimed and full shielded to prevent light spillage.

6.3.4 SECURITY LIGHTING

A.

Unshielded floodlights and spotlights, installed for security and activated by motion sensors, are permitted. These unshielded lights must be mounted and aimed in a manner that minimizes up-lighting and light trespass.

B.

All floodlights shall be installed such that the fixture shall aimed down at least 45° from vertical. All flood or spot lamps emitting 1000 or more lumens shall be aimed at least 60° down from vertical or shielded such that the main beam from the light source is not visible from adjacent properties or the public street right-of-way.

C.

Floodlights and display lights shall be positioned such that any fixture located within 50 feet of a public street right-of-way is mounted and aimed perpendicular to the right-of-way, with a side-to-side horizontal aiming tolerance not to exceed 15° from perpendicular from the right-of-way.

6.3.5 LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

Landscape and decorative lighting using incandescent lighting with an output of 800 lumens or less is permitted, provided that the light is installed and aimed to prevent lighting build up and light trespass and shielded to prevent view from the public right-of-way.

6.3.6 OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL LIGHTING

Because of their unique requirements for nighttime visibility and their limited hours of operation, athletic fields, athletic courts, outdoor performance areas, and similar recreational uses are exempt from the exterior lighting standards elsewhere in this Chapter. These uses must comply with the following regulations:

A.

Lighting shall not exceed a maximum post height of 80 feet. The Administrator may set a shorter maximum pole height if it is determined that the specific recreational use does not require a taller pole.

B.

Lights shall be shielded and positioned so as not to shine onto adjacent roadways or properties.

C.

All fixtures shall be fully shielded or designed or provided with the manufacturers glare control package so as to minimize up-light, spill- light, and glare.

D.

Fixtures shall be designed and aimed so that their beams fall within the primary playing area and the intermediate surroundings, so that off-site direct illumination is restricted. The maximum permitted illumination at the property or right-of-way line shall not exceed 2 foot-candles and all lights, except for any amber color (a temperature rating equal to or less than 2,700 Kelvin) security lights, shall be cut off after use.

6.3.7 STREET LIGHTING

Street lighting shall be placed on all streets to allow for the safe use of streets by both cars and pedestrians. All street lighting shall be placed in accordance with the following design standards:

A.

Streetlight Spacing: Minimum average streetlight spacing shall be adequate to protect the public safety in the district in which the development is located. Streetlights shall be spaced so lights are no less than 90 feet apart, and no more than 150 feet apart.

B.

Roadway Illumination Requirements: The roadway illumination requirements shall be enforced to according to the Town Street Classifications in Chapter 5 of this Ordinance as outlined in the table below.

* Uniformity Ratio is the average maintained illuminance in foot-candles of the roadway design area divided by the lowest value for illuminance in foot-candles at any point in the area.

C.

Lighting shall be placed at all street intersections.

D.

Pedestrian-scaled street lighting (no taller than 18 feet) shall be required in the CBD district.

E.

Pedestrian-scaled lighting (no taller than 18 feet) shall be preferred over automobile-scaled lighting in all districts.

F.

Lighting shall be placed in a manner to limit the casting of shadows over sidewalks.

G.

All streetlights shall utilize a cut-off fixture. Where buildings are close to the street (less than 15 feet from the right-of-way), full cut-off fixtures are required to limit glare and light spillage on upper-levels.

6.3.8 LIGHTING FOR VEHICULAR CANOPIES

Lighting under vehicular canopies shall be designed so as not to create glare off-site. Acceptable methods include one or more of the following:

1.

Recessed fixture incorporating a lens cover that is either recessed or flush with the bottom surface of the vehicular canopy.

2.

Surface mounted fixture incorporating a flat lens that provide a cut-off or shielded light distribution.

3.

Other methods approved by the Administrator.

6.4.1 COMPLIANCE

A.

Lighting plans are required as part of site, subdivision, or construction plans and shall include at least the following information:

1.

Point-by-point foot-candle arrays in a printout format indicating the location and aiming of illuminating devices. The printout shall indicate compliance with the maximum maintained foot- candles required by the Ordinance.

2.

Description of the illuminating devised, fixtures, lands, supports, reflectors, poles, raised foundations and other devices.

B.

Subsequent phases of an entire development shall have a uniform design plan for lighting and fixtures. New phases must meet all requirements in effect at the time of obtaining a permit, but lighting plans must consider preexisting lighting in earlier phases, but in design and intensity of light.