West Rockhill Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVIII
Nuisance and Lighting Standards
§ 450-1800 Noise.
A.
Terminology and definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
A-WEIGHTED DECIBEL
The sound level, in decibels, measured with a sound level meter using the A-weighting network or scale as specified in the ANSI S1.4-1983 (specification for sound level meters). The level so read shall be postscripted dB(A) or dBA.
ANSI
The American National Standards Institute, Inc., New York, New York.
CHIEF
The Chief of Police of West Rockhill Township or his authorized officers.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The West Rockhill Township Zoning Officer, or his or her authorized agents.
DAYTIME
The local time of day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays unless otherwise specified.
DECIBEL
A unit that describes the sound pressure level or intensity of sound. The sound pressure level in decibels is 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound in microbars to a reference pressure of 0.0002 microbar; abbreviated dB.
NIGHTTIME
Those times excluded from the definition of daytime.
NOISE
Any steady-state or impulsive sound occurring on either a continuous or intermittent basis that annoys or disturbs humans or that causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on humans.
NOISE DISTURBANCE
Any sound which:
(1)
Endangers or injures the safety or health of humans; or
(2)
Annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities; or
(3)
Endangers or injures personal or real property; or
(4)
Exceeds the applicable maximum permissible sound levels as they appear in the table in Subsection B of this section.
SOUND LEVEL METER
An instrument to measure sound pressure levels that meets or exceeds performance standards for a Type 2 meter as specified by the ANSI.
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL
The intensity in decibels (dB) of a sound.
ZONING DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION
The scheme of land use classification contained in this chapter, as amended from time to time.
B.
Maximum permissible sound levels generally. Except as otherwise provided, any noise which emanates from any operation, activity or source and which exceeds the maximum permissible sound levels established in this section below is hereby prohibited. Such levels shall be measured at the property boundary of the sound source or at any point within any other property affected by the noise. When a noise source can be identified and its noise measured in more than one zoning district classification, the limits of the most restrictive classification shall apply.
Table 18-1 Maximum Permissible Sound Pressure Levels | ||
|---|---|---|
Zoning District(s) | Classification Maximum dBA (Daytime/Nighttime) | |
Commercial | PC Planned Commercial District | 65/60 |
PC-2 Planned Commercial 2 District | 65/60 | |
Institutional | IS Institutional Service District | 65/60 |
Industrial | PI Planned Industrial District | 79/72 |
EXT Extraction District | 79/72 | |
Agricultural | RA Residential Agriculture | 60/55 |
Residential | SR Suburban Residential District | 60/55 |
RC Residential Conservation District | 60/55 | |
MHP Mobile Home Park District | 60/55 | |
Mixed-use districts | VC Village Commercial District | 65/60 |
VR Village Residential District | 65/60 | |
Recreational | REC Recreational District | 60/55 |
(1)
Heating and cooling systems, including but not limited to air conditioners and heat pumps, shall not be subject to the night levels enumerated above.
(2)
Any person with lawfully obtained building and/or land development permits who, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. weekdays and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, operates or causes to be operated any equipment used in construction, repair, alteration or demolition work on buildings, structures, alleys or appurtenances thereto in the outdoors in any residential district within 100 yards of a lawfully occupied dwelling shall not be subject to the levels enumerated above.
(3)
Persons performing construction of public projects, repair or maintenance work for such projects or persons performing work for private or public utilities for the repair of facilities or restoration of services shall not be subject to the levels enumerated above.
C.
Prohibitions generally. The following acts are violations of this chapter:
(1)
Operating or causing to be operated between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays any equipment used in construction, repair, alteration or demolition work on buildings, structures, alleys or appurtenances thereto in the outdoors in any residential district (as above set forth) within 100 yards of a lawfully occupied dwelling. This section shall not apply to construction of public projects, the repair or maintenance work performed on such projects or work performed by private or public utility companies for the repair of facilities or restoration of services.
(2)
Using, operating or causing to be operated mechanical loud speakers or other sound amplification devices on trucks or other moving vehicles for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public during the nighttime. The use of such at all other times shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a)
The only sounds permitted are music or human speech.
(b)
Sound shall not be issued or devices shall not be used within 100 yards of hospitals, schools, churches or courthouses.
(3)
Using, operating or causing to be operated mechanical loud speakers or other sound amplification devices in commercial establishments for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting the attention of the public during the nighttime when such sound, as measured at the property line of the premises, exceeds the maximum permissible sound pressure levels for the zoning district from which the sound emanates as set forth in § 450-1800B above.
(4)
Operating or permitting to be operated any powered model aircraft in the outdoors during the nighttime.
(5)
The playing of radio, phonographs, television, tape or disc players, musical instruments or drums, sound amplifiers or similar devices which produce, reproduce or amplify sound in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance.
(6)
Talking, yelling, shouting, screaming, singing, or any other form of human sounds produced by any person or group of people that creates a noise disturbance.
(7)
Noise from animals.
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow within West Rockhill Township prolonged or intense barking or other harsh or excessive noises to be made by any animal under his ownership or control, at any time, so as to disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of the community.
(b)
For the purpose of this section, a harsh or excessive animal noise is one that disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of a reasonable person with normal sensitivities. Continuous barking, yelping, howling or the making of any loud or harsh noise by an animal for more than 1/2 hour on any one occasion shall give rise to the presumption that such animal has disturbed the peace and has caused the annoyance and discomfort of persons in the Township.
(c)
For the purpose of this section, a person shall be deemed to have "allowed" his animal to bark or create other harsh or excessive noises if he has once been put on notice by the local policing authority or the West Rockhill Township Zoning Officer upon the written complaints of one or more person(s) and he thereafter fails to confine such animal inside his dwelling unit or other enclosed structure or take similar action calculated to terminate such disturbance. It shall not be necessary for the local policing authority or the West Rockhill Township Zoning Officer to issue a new notice for each repeated occurrence.
D.
Measurement procedures. The measurement of sound or noise pursuant to this chapter shall be as follows:
(1)
The measurement of sound or noise shall be made with sound level meters Type 1 or Type 2 that meet the standards prescribed by the ANSI. The instruments shall be maintained in calibration and good working order. A calibration shall be made of the system at the time of any noise measurement. Measurements recorded shall be taken so as to provide a proper representation of the noise source. The microphone during measurement shall be positioned so as not to create any unnatural enhancement or diminution of the measured noise. A windscreen for the microphone shall be used when required. A minimum of three sound level readings will be taken. The geometric mean of these readings will be used as the average sound level. If the background noise is equal to the levels set forth in Subsection B of this section above, three dB shall be subtracted out of the average sound level.
(2)
The slow meter response of the sound level meter shall be used to determine that the average amplitude has not exceeded the dBA readings or the limiting noise spectra set forth in Subsection B above.
(3)
Unless otherwise specified, the measurement shall be made at the property boundary on which such noise is generated, or at any point within the receiving property affected by the noise.
(4)
For any source of sound which emits an impulsive sound, the excursions of sound pressure level shall not exceed 20 dBA over the maximum sound level limits set forth Subsection B above, provided that in no case shall they exceed 80 dBA, regardless of time of day or night or receiving land use, using the "fast" meter characteristic of a Type II meter, meeting the American National Standards Institute Specifications Section 1.4- 1971.
E.
Exceptions. The maximum permissible sound levels established in § 450-1800B and the general prohibitions set forth in § 450-1800C hereof shall not apply to any of the following noise sources:
(1)
All emergency vehicles and implements, such as but not limited to firefighting equipment, law enforcement equipment, ambulance/medical equipment and any other equipment such as may be needed on short notice to protect personnel and/or property or secure the general welfare, are exempt from the noise control provisions of this chapter.
(2)
The work to provide electricity, water or other utilities when public health or safety is involved.
(3)
Licensed game hunting activities on property where such activities are authorized.
(4)
Agriculture. All farming and/or agricultural vehicles and implements are exempt from the noise control provisions of this chapter.
(5)
The noise of aircraft flight operations.
(6)
Public celebrations specifically authorized by the Township.
(7)
Surface carriers engaged in commerce by railroad.
§ 450-1801 Smoke.
No smoke or other source of visible gray opacity greater than No. 1 on the Ringlemann Smoke Chart as published by the U.S. Bureau of Mines shall be emitted from any chimney except that smoke of a shade not darker than No. 2 on the Ringlemann Chart may be emitted for not more than four minutes in any thirty-minute period.
§ 450-1802 Dust, fumes, vapors and gases.
A.
The emission of dust, dirt, fly ash, fumes, vapors or gases which can cause any damage to human health, to animals, to vegetation or to property or which can cause any soiling or staining of persons or property at any point beyond the lot line of the use creating the emission, is hereby prohibited.
B.
No emission of liquid or solid particles from any chimney or other source shall exceed 3/10 (0.3) grains per cubic foot of the carrying gas at any point beyond the lot line of the use creating the emission. For measurement of the amount of particles in gases resulting from combustion, standard correction shall be applied to a stack temperature of 500° F. and 50% excess air in stack at full load.
§ 450-1803 Heat.
No use shall produce heat perceptible beyond its lot lines.
§ 450-1804 Odor.
A.
No use shall emit odorous gases or other odorous matter in such quantities as to be offensive at any point on or beyond its lot lines. The guide for determining such quantities of offensive odors shall be the 50% response level of Table 1 (Odor Thresholds in Air), "Research on Chemical Odors: Part I. Odor Thresholds for 53 Commercial Chemical," October, 1968, Manufacturing Chemists Association, Inc., Washington, D.C.
B.
Subsection A above shall not apply to odors normally created as part of any agricultural or horticultural use, except that no animal waste produced off of the property shall be stockpiled unless processed to eliminate all offensive odors.
§ 450-1805 Glare.
No use shall produce strong, dazzling light or a reflection of a strong dazzling light beyond its lot lines. The lighting standards of § 450-1808 shall be met.
§ 450-1806 Vibrations.
No use shall cause earth vibrations or concussions in excess of the standards outlined below, with the exception of that vibration produced as a result of construction activity. The standards below are as set forth in the Table of Frequency Amplitude Relations. Vibrations shall be expressed as displacement in inches and shall be measured with a standard three component measuring system, which is a device for recording the intensity of any vibration in three mutually perpendicular directions.
Table 18-2 Frequency Amplitude Relations | |
|---|---|
Frequency of Ground Motion in Cycles per Second | Maximum Amplitude of Ground Motion in Inches no more than |
Up to 10 | 0.0305 |
20 | 0.0153 |
30 | 0.0102 |
40 | 0.0076 |
50 | 0.0061 |
60 | 0.0051 |
§ 450-1807 Storage and waste disposal.
A.
No liquids, solids or gases having a flash point less than 73° F. (as specified in the National Fire Code Vol. 12 and 13, National Fire Protection Association), shall be stored in bulk above ground, except tanks or drums of fuel, having a maximum capacity of 3,000 gallons, connected directly with emergency devices or heating appliances located and operated on the same lot as the tanks or drums of fuel. This provision shall not apply to Use G5 Fuel Storage and Distribution in the Industrial District.
Table 18-3 Capacity of Flammable Materials Permitted, Gallons* | |
|---|---|
Flash Point Closed Cup Tester | Aboveground (gallons) |
140° F. or higher | 10,000 |
74° F. to 139° F. | 5,000 |
73° F. or less, fuels connected to energy devices | 3,000 |
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
* | When flammable gases are stored and measured in cubic feet, the quantities of cubic feet at standard temperature and pressure shall not exceed 30 times the quantities listed above. |
B.
All outdoor storage facilities for fuel, raw materials and products and all fuel, raw materials and products stored outdoors, shall be enclosed by a fence with a minimum height of seven feet. Such fence shall be chain-link, stockade, picket (not exceeding three-inch spacing), solid wood, building wall or such other materials as may be acceptable to the West Rockhill Township Zoning Officer to carry out the intent of this chapter.
C.
No materials or wastes shall be deposited upon a lot in such form or manner that they may be transported off the lot by natural causes or forces, nor shall any substance which can contaminate a stream or watercourse or otherwise render such stream or watercourse undesirable as a source of water supply or recreation, or which will destroy aquatic life, be allowed to enter any stream or watercourse. Disposal of sewage, septage or sludge must meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
D.
All materials or wastes which might cause fumes or dust, or which constitute a fire hazard, or which may be edible or otherwise attractive to rodents or insects, shall be stored outdoors only if enclosed in containers adequate to eliminate such hazards.
E.
Radioactivity and electrical disturbance. There shall be no activity which emits dangerous and harmful radioactivity. There shall be no electrical disturbance adversely affecting the operation of any equipment beyond the property line of the creator of such disturbance.
§ 450-1808 Lighting.
A.
Findings, purpose and intent.
(1)
Adequate and effective lighting of streets, buildings, parking lots and other facilities is important for comfort, safety and commerce. Wasteful, inefficient or inappropriate lighting, however, is a significant environmental problem. Excessive lighting wastes energy; intrudes upon neighboring properties; is a nuisance to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on adjacent roadways; disturbs wildlife habitats; impairs human experience of the night sky; and negatively affects the quality of life of our communities.
(2)
Through these regulations, the Township wishes to manage outdoor lighting so that its safety, security and economic benefits are maintained while minimizing dangerous glare, energy waste, light pollution and light trespass.
(3)
The following requirements for outdoor lighting installations promote public safety and welfare during the nighttime while minimizing the adverse effects of glare and light trespass often associated with outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting should be used only where needed, used only when needed and only that type of lighting which is necessary and proper should be used. This section is intended to implement these principles of good lighting design by regulating the shielding, height, illumination levels and other aspects of outdoor lighting so that Township residents may continue to enjoy the highest quality of life.
B.
Definitions. Unless specifically defined below, words and phrases used in this section shall be interpreted to have common English usage, to give effect to the purposes set forth in Subsection A above and to provide reasonable application of this section. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
CANDELA
The SI unit of luminous intensity. One candela is one lumen per steradian (lm/sr).
CANDLEPOWER
Luminous intensity expressed in candelas.
CUTOFF ANGLE (OF A LUMINAIRE)
The angle, measured up from nadir, between the vertical axis and the first line of sight at which the bare source is not visible.
DIRECT LIGHT
Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector or reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens, of a luminaire.
FIXTURE
The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps and can include all or some of the following parts:
(1)
A housing;
(2)
A mounting bracket or pole socket;
(3)
A lamp holder;
(4)
A ballast;
(5)
A reflector or mirror; and/or
(6)
A refractor or lens.
FLOODLIGHT or SPOTLIGHT
Any light fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector or a refractor to concentrate light output into a directed beam in a particular direction.
FOOTCANDLE
A unit of illuminance. One footcandle is one lumen per square foot (lm/ft2).
FULLY SHIELDED LIGHTS
Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing element or indirectly by reflection or refraction, is projected below the horizontal plane through the fixture's lowest light emitting part as certified by a photometric test report.
GLARE
The sensation produced by luminances within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance or visibility.
(1)
BLINDING GLARE
Glare that is so intense that for an appreciable length of time after it has been removed, no object can be seen.(2)
DIRECT GLARE
Glare resulting from high luminances or insufficiently shielded light sources in the field of view.(3)
DISABILITY GLARE
The effect of stray light in the eye whereby visibility and visual performance are reduced.(4)
DISCOMFORT GLARE
Glare that produces discomfort. It does not necessarily interfere with visual performance or visibility.(5)
REFLECTED GLARE
Glare resulting from reflections of high luminances in polished or glossy surfaces in the field of view.HEIGHT OF LUMINAIRE
The height of a luminaire shall be the vertical distance from the ground directly below the center line of the luminaire to the lowest direct light-emitting part of the luminaire.
ILLUMINANCE
The quantity of light measured in footcandles or lux.
ILLUMINATION
An alternative term for "illuminance." Commonly used in a qualitative or general sense to designate the act of illuminating or the state of being illuminated.
INDIRECT LIGHT
Direct light that has been reflected or has scattered off of other surfaces.
LAMP
The component of a luminaire that produces light. A generic term for a man-made source of light, i.e., a light bulb.
LIGHT
Radiant energy that is capable of exciting the retina and producing a visual sensation. The visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum extends from about 380 to 770 nanometers.
LIGHT LOSS FACTOR (LLF)
The ratio of illuminance for a given area to the value that would occur if lamps operated at their initial rated lumen output and if no system variation or depreciation had occurred.
LIGHT TRESPASS
The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located.
LUMEN
A standard unit of luminous flux. Photometrically, it is the luminous flux emitted within a unit solid angle (one steradian) by a point source having a uniform luminous intensity of one candela. One footcandle is one lumen per square foot. For the purposes of this section, the lumen-output values shall be the initial lumen output ratings of a lamp, as specified by the manufacturer of the lamp.
LUMINAIRE, CUTOFF
A luminaire whose light distribution at or above an angle of 90° above nadir does not numerically exceed 25 candelas per 1,000 lamp lumens (2.5%), and does not numerically exceed 100 candelas per 1,000 lamp lumens (10%) at or above a vertical angle 80° above nadir. This applies to all lateral angles around the luminaire.
LUMINAIRE, FULL-CUTOFF
A luminaire whose light distribution at or above an angle of 90° above nadir has zero candela intensity and does not numerically exceed 100 candela per 1,000 lamp lumens (10%) at or above a vertical angle 80° above nadir. This applies to all lateral angles around the luminaire.
LUMINANCE
The physical and measurable quantity corresponding to the brightness of a surface in a specific area from which light is emitted or reflected (e.g., lamp, luminaire, reflecting material). Can be measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2) or luxes.
LUMINAIRE
A complete lighting unit consisting of one or more lamps together with the fixture, other parts designed to control the light distribution and other mechanical and electrical components.
LUMINOUS FLUX (RADIANT FLUX OR POWER)
The time rate of flow of radiant energy evaluated in terms of a standardized visual response.
LUMINOUS INTENSITY
The luminous flux per unit solid angle in the direction in question. May be expressed in candela or lumens per steradian (lm/sr).
LUX
The standard unit of illuminance. One lux is one lumen per square meter (lm/m2).
NIGHTTIME
The hours between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight. Civil twilight ends in the evening when the center of the sun's disk is 6° below the horizon and begins in the morning when the center of the sun's disk is 6° below the horizon.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The nighttime illumination of an outside area or object by any man-made device that produces light by any means.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING, TEMPORARY
Outdoor lighting that is used for a period of less than seven days, with at least 180 days passing before being used again or used annually for a period of 30 days or less.
STERADIAN or SR (UNIT OF SOLID ANGLE)
The solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere by an area on the surface of the sphere equal to the square of the sphere radius.
C.
Applicability. The requirements of this section shall apply to all outdoor lighting installations as follows:
(1)
Outdoor lighting installations that are designed, constructed, erected or otherwise placed into operation after the effective date of this section.
(2)
Alterations, rehabilitations, or renovations to existing outdoor lighting installations, which are commenced with after the effective date of this section, and which involve the replacement of at least 50% of an existing lighting system with a new lighting system.
(3)
Nonapplicability. The requirements of this section shall not apply to outdoor lighting installations operating before the effective date of this section, except for any lighting installation that creates a safety hazard as deemed by the Township. Routine maintenance of these preexisting outdoor lighting installations shall not have to comply with the requirements of this section. Routine maintenance includes the following:
(a)
Replacement of lamps that are burned-out or inoperative.
(b)
Replacement/repair of damaged or inoperative luminaire components such as ballasts, igniters, lenses, reflectors, refractors, sockets or photocell controls.
(4)
Exemptions. The requirements of this section shall not apply in the following circumstances.
(a)
Where superseded by state or federal law.
(b)
Temporary emergency lighting used by police, fire, emergency medical services, public works or other public safety services.
(c)
Hazard/warning lights required by state or federal regulations, except that all luminaires used must be red and must be shown to be as close as possible to the minimum lumen output required for that specific task.
D.
Adoption by reference.
(1)
Adoption. West Rockhill Township hereby adopts, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, design, layout, installation and use of outdoor lighting, the specifications laid out in the "IESNA Lighting Handbook" ninth edition, published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America ("IESNA") and hereby incorporates such recommended practices as fully as if set forth at length herein, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended. From the date on which this section shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling in the design, construction and operation of all outdoor lighting within West Rockhill Township.
(2)
Amendments. The recommended practices of the Lighting Handbook hereby adopted are amended as follows:
(a)
All the recommendations made in the Lighting Handbook shall be considered mandatory requirements. For the purposes of this section, the words "should," "may," "can't," etc., shall be read as "shall" or "must," the words "recommend" or "recommendation" shall be read as "require" or "requirement," the phrase "it is recommended" shall be read as "it is required," and the phrase "it is not recommended" shall be read as "it is prohibited."
(b)
Future amendments to the recommended practices of the Lighting Handbook shall become a part of this section without further action by the Township.
(c)
Where the Lighting Handbook provides for alternatives, this section requires that the safest alternative, as determined by the Township, be used.
(3)
General design requirements. The design calculations for outdoor lighting installations shall be in accordance with the Lighting Handbook. This includes, but is not limited to, technical definitions, terminology, calculation methods and procedures, photometric classifications and photometric testing procedures. Illuminance selection should be based on the usage of the area to be illuminated, the level of activity and nighttime security requirements.
(4)
Illumination levels. Illumination shall have intensities and uniformity ratios in accordance with the current recommended practices of IESNA as contained in the Lighting Handbook.
E.
General regulations.
(1)
All outdoor lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so as not to present a hazard to drivers or pedestrians by impairing their ability to safely traverse, (i.e., blinding or disabling glare), and so as not to create a nuisance by projecting or reflecting objectionable light onto a neighboring use or property.
(2)
Floodlights and spotlights, when permitted, shall be installed and/or aimed so that they do not project their output at neighboring residences, adjacent uses, directly skyward or onto a roadway.
(3)
Except as otherwise permitted in this section, all lighting fixtures shall meet IESNA full-cutoff criteria. No lighting shall be permitted that results in glare beyond the boundaries of the property upon which the luminaire is located.
(4)
Except as otherwise permitted in this section or chapter, fixtures meeting IESNA full-cutoff criteria shall not be mounted in excess of 20 feet above finished grade. Fixtures not meeting IESNA "full-cutoff" criteria shall not be mounted in excess of 16 feet above grade.
(5)
Fixtures shall be of a type and design appropriate to the lighting application and aesthetically acceptable to the Township. The use of searchlights, flashing strobe lights and laser lights is prohibited.
(6)
Unless the Township specifically approves all-night lighting (e.g., for safety or security), all outdoor lighting shall be controlled by automatic switching devices, such as time clocks or combination motion detectors and photocells, to permit extinguishing lighting between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(7)
Where all-night safety or security lighting is to be provided, the lighting intensity levels shall not exceed 25% of the levels normally permitted by this section for the use. All-night safety or security lighting includes the following:
(a)
Lighting essential for the deterrence of break-ins. This type of lighting is limited to exterior door locations.
(b)
Lighting controlled by motion sensors/detectors. This type of lighting is to be used to deter vandalism and theft and shall be placed in locations where the sensors will not be tripped on a reoccurring basis and shall be installed and/or aimed so that they do not project their output at neighboring residences, adjacent uses, directly skyward or onto a roadway.
(c)
Lighting used in conjunction with surveillance cameras. This type of lighting is limited to illuminating automatic teller machines, deposit boxes, building entrances and parking lot/driveway entrances. Fixtures used for this type of lighting shall be designed, fitted and aimed so as not to project their output beyond the objects intended to be illuminated.
(8)
Vegetation screens shall not be employed to serve as the primary means for controlling glare. Rather glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as cutoff fixtures, shields and baffles and appropriate application of fixture mounting height, wattage, aiming angle and fixture placement.
(9)
Electrical feeds for lighting standards shall be run underground.
(10)
Lighting standards to the rear of the parking spaces shall be placed a minimum of five feet outside paved areas, on concrete pedestals at least 30 inches above the pavement, or suitably protected by other means approved by the Township.
(11)
Fixtures and ancillary equipment shall be maintained so as always to meet the requirements of this section.
F.
Requirements for outdoor area and roadway lighting installations.
(1)
This subsection applies to the following:
(a)
All outdoor lighting installations employed for nighttime area illumination of parking lots, car sales lots, yards, roadways, streets, driveways, walkways, bikeways, cartways, entryways, and similar areas or lots; and
(b)
All outdoor lighting installations on any property within the Township except any lot developed with one single-family dwelling or being used as a farm. Requirements for Residential and Farm Outdoor Lighting are listed in § 450-1808I below.
(2)
Use of full-cutoff luminaires required. All luminaires employed in outdoor area and roadway lighting installations shall be the full-cutoff luminaire type.
(a)
The candlepower distribution classification of the luminaire as a full-cutoff type shall be in accordance with the Lighting Handbook. The manufacturer of the luminaire shall provide certification of a full-cutoff classification based on a photometric testing performed in accordance with the Lighting Handbook and the applicable testing procedures referenced therein. The requirement for the use of full-cutoff luminaire types shall include, but is not limited to, the following outdoor area and roadway lighting configurations:
[1]
Pole-mounted luminaires.
[2]
Luminaries mounted on the exterior of buildings and structures.
[3]
Luminaries mounted on or within exterior canopies of buildings and structures.
[4]
Pedestal- or bollard-mounted luminaires.
(b)
Full-cutoff luminaires shall be mounted plumb and level in accordance with the intended application of their design. For the purposes of this requirement, the photometric nadir of the luminaire (0° vertical angle of the candlepower distribution) shall be oriented plumb and the vertical angle of 90° above nadir (horizontal) shall be oriented in a position which permits candlepower distribution above the horizontal.
(c)
Luminaries which do not meet the strict definition for full-cutoff luminaires, yet employ advanced or alternative technology which causes the photometric performance to approach that of full-cutoff luminaires, may be approved by the Township, on a case-by-case basis. Such luminaires include, but are not limited to, period-style luminaires with refractive globes and internal cutoff reflectors. At a minimum, all period style decorative luminaires, when their use is approved by the Township for a specific application, shall be cutoff luminaires.
(3)
Maximum illuminance at property line.
(a)
The following table lists the maximum maintained illuminance levels permitted at the property line(s) during the nighttime as produced by the sum of all outdoor area lighting installations on a site/property.
Table 18-4 Maximum Illuminance Levels Permitted at Property Lines Produced by Outdoor Area Lighting Installations | ||
|---|---|---|
Maximum maintained illuminance level permitted at property line measured at 5-foot AFG in vertical footcandles | Maximum maintained illuminance level permitted at property line measured at 5-foot AFT in vertical lux | |
Property line adjoins a public roadway or public right-of-way | 0.5 | 5.4 |
Property line adjoins a nonresidential property | 0.2 | 2.2 |
Property line adjoins a residential property | 0.1 | 1.1 |
(b)
Exceptions to the requirements listed in Table 18-4:
[1]
Outdoor roadway lighting installations intended for the nighttime illumination of public roadways, streets, highways, alleys, cartways, and the like.
[2]
Designated vehicular, cyclist, and pedestrian entries/exits between properties and public roadways, streets, highways, alleys, cartways, and the like; provided that the excepted area of illumination (maintained illuminance levels at grade higher than permitted in Table 18-4) is limited to the said property and the adjoining pavement and right-of-way of public roadways, streets, highways, alleys, cartways, and the like. The excepted area of illumination shall not extend beyond 50 feet from the center line of the designated entry/exit in any direction along the property line(s) of the said property.
(4)
Illumination under outdoor canopies. All outdoor lighting installations which illuminate the area under outdoor canopies shall comply with the requirements of this Subsection. All such canopy lighting shall be accomplished using flat-lens full-cutoff fixtures aimed straight down and shielded in such a manner that the lowest opaque edge of the fixture shall be level with or below the light source. Canopies themselves may not be illuminated, however, with the exception of the portion which is classified as a sign. Outdoor canopies include, but are not limited to, the following applications:
(a)
Fuel island canopies associated with service stations and convenience stores.
(b)
Exterior canopies above storefronts in shopping centers and malls.
(c)
Exterior canopies above driveways and building entrances.
(d)
Pavilions and gazebos.
(5)
Design submittal and approval requirements. The design for all outdoor area and roadway lighting installations shall be submitted for review and approval by the Township. Such a lighting plan shall conform with the requirements of Chapter 365, Subdivision and Land Development, for lighting plans.
G.
Outdoor sports and recreational lighting. The outdoor lighting of sports and recreational facilities, in conjunction with Uses C5 Private Outdoor Sports Facility, C6 Public Recreation Area, C13 Municipal Buildings, and E24 Commercial Recreation/Entertainment, is allowed by conditional use approval in the SR, VC, PC-2, PI, and REC Zoning Districts. The outdoor lighting of sports and recreational facilities in conjunction with other uses or in other zoning districts is strictly prohibited. These regulations apply to all sports and recreational facilities including, but not limited to, ball fields, ballparks, stadiums, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, recreation fields, swimming pools, skating rinks, golf driving ranges, golf courses, firearm shooting facilities and the like. Where permitted, the outdoor lighting of sports and recreational facilities shall comply with the following requirements:
(1)
The requirements of this subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations employed for nighttime area illumination of sports and recreational facilities. All sports and recreational facilities shall be illuminated with the following two systems:
(a)
Performance area lighting. This is the lighting directed upon the field, court, rink, etc., to illuminate the sports/recreational activity taking place upon/within that facility. The maximum permitted post height for the performance area lighting is 60 feet. Post height shall be limited to minimum height necessary to meet the performance area lighting needs of that specific sports/recreational use as determined by the Township.
(b)
General area lighting. This is a low-level lighting system used to facilitate pedestrian circulation, patrons leaving the facility, cleanup, nighttime maintenance, etc. General area lighting shall meet all the requirements for outdoor area and roadway lighting installations listed above in Subsection F.
(2)
Use of full-cutoff luminaires required. All luminaires employed in outdoor sports and recreational lighting installations shall be the full-cutoff luminaire type unless the performance area lighting needs of the sports/recreational use cannot be met through the use of full-cutoff luminaires, as determined by the Township.
(3)
Use of glare shields required for noncutoff luminaires types. Where noncutoff luminaires, such as floodlights, must be used to meet the lighting design objectives for the performance area lighting, the luminaires shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors, and other similar shielding accessories as required to meet the following criteria:
(a)
Luminaries shall be fully shielded.
(b)
To the extent practicable, the candlepower distribution from all luminaires shall be further cut off at angles below the horizontal (level) to restrict direct illumination to within the performance area being illuminated for sports and recreation purposes.
(4)
Maximum maintained illuminance levels. The maximum maintained illuminance levels permitted at the property line(s) during the nighttime, produced by the sum of all outdoor sports and recreation lighting installations on a lot shall meet the requirements of Table 18-4.
(5)
Design submittal and approval requirements. The design for all outdoor sports and recreation lighting installations shall be submitted for review and approval by the Township. The submission shall include a visual-impact plan that demonstrates appropriate steps have been taken to prevent or mitigate glare on-site, off-site, as viewed by drivers on adjacent streets, and so as to retain the intended character of the general vicinity of the site. This submission may also require the inclusion of initial vertical footcandle values at specific off-site venues, e.g., bedroom windows of adjacent residential uses.
(6)
All outdoor sports and recreation lighting shall be extinguished between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights and between 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and nights preceding federal holidays. In addition, the performance area lighting shall be turned off no more than 30 minutes after the end of the event or use of the sports/recreational facility.
(7)
Regulation-size golf courses (Use C7) and firearm shooting facilities (Use C16) shall not be artificially lit and shall not be permitted to operate in the Township during the nighttime hours.
H.
Requirements for outdoor sign lighting, outdoor lighting of facades of buildings and structures and outdoor landscape lighting.
(1)
Applicability of requirements. The requirements of this subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations employed for the nighttime illumination of signs, billboards, the facades of buildings and structures, fountains, trees, shrubs, vegetation and the like.
(2)
Use of full-cutoff luminaires required. All luminaires employed in outdoor lighting of signs, facades and landscape shall be of the full-cutoff luminaire type, unless the lighting needs of the signs, facades or landscaping cannot be met through the use of full-cutoff luminaires, as determined by the Township.
(3)
Use of glare shields required for noncutoff luminaire types. Where noncutoff luminaires, such as floodlights, are used to meet the lighting design objectives for outdoor sign, billboard, facade and/or landscape lighting, the luminaires shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors and other similar shielding accessories as required to ensure that the candlepower distribution from all lighting installations shall be cut off at all angles beyond those required to restrict direct illumination to within the perimeter of the sign or billboard being illuminated.
(4)
Externally illuminated signs, billboards and facades shall be lighted by fixtures mounted at the top of the sign and aimed downward.
(5)
Fixtures used for architectural lighting, e.g., facade, fountain, feature and landscape lighting shall be designed, fitted and aimed so as not to project their output beyond the objects intended to be illuminated.
(6)
All outdoor lighting falling under the requirements of this subsection shall be extinguished between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. This restriction does not apply to nonresidential uses that are open between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., in which case the lighting must be extinguished when the nonresidential use is closed.
I.
Requirements for residential and farm outdoor lighting.
(1)
Applicability of requirements. The requirements of this subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations located on residential lots developed with a single-family dwelling, a two-family dwelling, or a farm. Luminaries with an aggregate rated output of a standard forty-watt incandescent lamp (i.e., 500 lumens), are exempt from the requirement of this subsection.
(2)
Use of glare shields required for noncutoff luminaire types. All noncutoff luminaires, such as floodlights, shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors, and other similar shielding accessories as required to meet the following criteria:
(a)
For area lighting applications, the candlepower distribution from all luminaires shall be cutoff at and above the horizontal (level).
(b)
For all other applications, the candlepower distribution from all luminaires shall be cut off at all angles beyond those required to restrict direct illumination to within the area or surface being illuminated.
J.
Temporary outdoor lighting.
(1)
Applicability of requirements. The requirements of this subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations which are employed on a temporary basis not exceeding 30 days in duration. Temporary lighting installations include, but are not limited to, seasonal or holiday displays, carnivals, community fairs, traveling circuses, sales/promotional displays and the like.
(2)
Use of glare shields required for noncutoff luminaire types. All noncutoff luminaires, such as floodlights, shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors and other similar shielding accessories as required to meeting the following criteria:
(a)
The candlepower distribution from all lighting installations shall be cut off at all angles beyond those required to restrict direct illumination to within the perimeter of the area, surface, object or feature being illuminated.
K.
Maximum permitted illumination.
(1)
Total outdoor light output for all uses other than B1 Single-Family Detached Dwellings or A1 Farming/Agriculture shall not exceed the lumens/acre set forth in Table 18-5. The values in this table are the upper limits. Property owner shall only install those fixtures necessary to meet the minimum outdoor lighting needs of the use. Performance area lighting systems discussed under outdoor sports and recreational lighting are excluded from this lumen/acre cap requirement.
(2)
Table 18-5. Sites/properties improved with only full-cutoff and/or cutoff fixtures shall comply with the first row of the following Table. Sites/properties improved with only noncutoff fixtures shall comply with the second row of the following Table. Where there are both cutoff (full-cutoff and cutoff) and noncutoff fixtures on a property, the maximum allowed lumens per acre shall be calculated twice, once for the total of all fixtures and once including only the noncutoff fixtures. In such a case, the maximum lumens per acre must meet both requirements.
Table 18-5 Maximum Allowed Lumens/Acre by Fixture Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Zoning District | |||
Fixture Shielding | PC, PC-2, IS, PI, VC, EXT, and REC | SR, RA, VR and MHP | RC |
Total for all fixtures | 100,000 lm/ac | 50,000 lm/ac | 5,000 lm/ac |
Noncutoff fixtures | 10,000 lm/ac | 10,000 lm/ac | 1,000 lm/ac |
L.
Lighting plan. The design for all outdoor area and roadway lighting installations shall be submitted for review and approval by the Township prior to issuance of a zoning permit and construction of the outdoor lighting installation. The lighting plan must include all the information necessary for the Township to ensue that the outdoor lighting complies with the requirements of this section and shall conform with the requirements of Chapter 365, Subdivision and Land Development.
