Chapter 15.06
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Sections:
15.06.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations that preserve and enhance the view of the dark sky; promote health, safety, security, and productivity; and help protect animal life. The provisions of this chapter are intended to control glare and light trespass while promoting energy efficient lighting. It is the intent of this chapter to provide standards for appropriate lighting practices and systems that will enable people to see essential detail in order that they may undertake their activities at night, facilitate safety and security of persons and property, and curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual environment. (Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
15.06.020 Applicability.
A. All outdoor lighting fixtures installed on private and public property shall comply with this chapter. This chapter does not apply to interior lighting; provided, that if it is determined by the administrator that any interior lighting emitting light outside of the building or structure in which it is located creates a light trespass, the interior lighting shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter.
B. In the event of a conflict between the requirements of this chapter and any other requirement of this code, the more specific requirement shall apply. Where conflicts involve application of the westernization code, Chapter 15.08, westernization regulations shall take precedence. (Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
15.06.030 Definitions.
“Correlated color temperature” means a measurement of the color appearance of a light in degrees of Kelvin. Lights with a CCT of less than three thousand (3,000) degrees Kelvin are considered warm. Lamps with a CCT greater than four thousand (4,000) degrees Kelvin are bluish-white and considered cool.
“Full cut-off fixture” means a fixture designed and installed such that no light is emitted, refracted or reflected at or above a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture (Figure 1 at the end of this section provides sample types of full cut-off fixtures).
“Glare” means the lighting entering the eye directly from luminaires or indirectly from reflective surfaces that causes visual discomfort or reduced visibility.
“Light trespass” means light emanating from a lighting fixture on one property that falls onto another property. Light trespass does not include reflected light.
“Outdoor lighting” means any lighting not within a completely enclosed building.
Figure 1
(Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
15.06.040 Administration.
The building official or duly appointed alternate is authorized to perform all acts necessary to enforce and give effect to this chapter. All building permit applications which include the installation of outdoor lighting fixtures shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this chapter by indicating the location and type of lighting used on the site plan submitted with the building permit application. (Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
15.06.050 Exemptions.
The following types of outdoor lighting are exempt from the provisions of this section:
A. Traffic control signs and devices.
B. Streetlights installed prior to the adoption of this chapter; provided, that when a streetlight fixture becomes inoperable, any replacement street light fixture shall be compliant. This exemption expires five years after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
C. Temporary emergency lighting (i.e., fire, police, repair workers) or warning lights.
D. Moving vehicle lights.
E. Radio, communication, and navigation tower lights where state or federal statute requires lighting that cannot comply with this chapter.
F. Seasonal decorations; provided, that they comply with the provisions of Chapter 15.08 where applicable.
G. Outdoor lighting approved by the administrator for temporary or periodic events (e.g., fairs, nighttime construction).
H. Outdoor lighting for public recreation or athletic facilities; provided, that such lighting shall be shut off during nonoperating hours.
I. Lighting that illuminates the American flag that was legally installed prior to adoption of this chapter. (Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
15.06.060 General standards.
The following general standards shall apply to all nonexempt outdoor lighting fixtures and accent lighting:
A. Light Trespass Prohibited. All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed, installed, located and maintained such that there is no light trespass. All lights that are nonconforming due to light trespass shall be brought into conformance, or otherwise modified to eliminate light trespass, within five years of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
B. Full Cut-Off Fixtures Required. All outdoor lighting, except motion sensor lighting or lighting exempted in subsection E of this section, must be shielded and aimed downward utilizing full cut-off fixtures. The shield must mask the direct horizontal surface of the light source. The light must be aimed to ensure that the illumination is only pointing downward onto the ground surface, with no escaping direct light permitted to contribute to light pollution by shining upward into the sky. This standard shall apply to the replacement of existing outdoor lighting fixtures and all new lighting fixtures unless exempted or otherwise regulated by this chapter.
Examples of acceptable and unacceptable light pollution control shields are provided in Figure 1 at the end of Section 15.06.030. For those districts that fall within the westernization overlay, outdoor lighting must also comply with applicable standards of Chapter 15.08.
C. Correlated Color Temperature (CCT). Outdoor lighting fixtures shall utilize warm spectrum lighting, not exceeding three thousand (3,000) degrees Kelvin. Replacement of bulbs or luminaires within existing outdoor lighting fixtures shall utilize bulbs with a CCT not exceeding three thousand (3,000) degrees Kelvin. If warm spectrum lighting is not available for a particular fixture, then the administrator may allow the lowest correlated color temperature fixture available.
D. Driveway and Parking Area Lighting. Driveway and parking area lighting shall be designed to minimize glare and focus light specifically where it is needed.
E. Motion Sensor Lights. Motion sensor lights shall not require full cut-off fixtures; provided, that they automatically turn off after five minutes and do not create light trespass.
F. Public Safety. In the event the administrator documents a finding that public safety standards cannot be met under the strict application of the standards herein, the administrator may permit lighting that varies from these standards. Such administrative variances, when granted, shall preserve to the extent possible the intent of the standards herein.
G. Public Streetlights. All new streetlights, upgrades to existing streetlights, and replacements of existing streetlight fixtures shall use full cut-off fixtures and the color temperature shall consist of warm spectrum lights of no greater than three thousand (3000) degrees Kelvin. Light trespass standards shall not apply to streetlights. All public streetlights shall be brought into compliance with this standard within five years of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
H. Outdoor Lighting for Public Recreation or Athletic Facilities. Public recreation and athletic field lighting shall be shut off during nonoperating hours. To the extent possible, lighting should be shielded to minimize light trespass. (Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
15.06.070 Prohibited lights.
The following fixtures (luminaires) are prohibited: (1) searchlights for any other purpose other than temporary emergency lighting, (2) laser lights or any similar high-intensity light for outdoor use or entertainment, (3) quartz lamps, (4) mercury vapor lamps, and (5) strobe or flashing lights. (Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)
15.06.080 Enforcement.
A. Failure to perform any act required, or the performance of any act prohibited by any of the codes referred to in this chapter, is designated to be a civil infraction, and any person, firm or corporation found to have committed such an infraction by failing to perform any act required by said codes, or performance of any act prohibited therein, shall be assessed a monetary penalty, which penalty may not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for each offense.
B. Prior to issuing a formal citation, the administrator shall detail the infraction to the landowner in a letter, seeking voluntary resolution of the infraction within fourteen (14) days. If the source of light is not brought into compliance with this chapter within fourteen (14) days of the notice, a formal citation process may commence.
C. Each day during which a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense and penalties may be assessed for each separate offense.
D. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the town from taking such other lawful action as necessary to prevent or remedy any violation of codes referred to in this chapter. (Ord. 748 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021)