§ 46-955. Lighting.

The intent of this section, including section 46-101(3), is to provide illumination only to the extent necessary to meet functional, safety and security needs while conserving energy whenever possible. Agricultural, single-family residential and two-family residential uses are exempted from these lighting standards, but such uses are subject to the provisions of chapter 62. No exterior lighting used for parking lots, recreational facilities, product display or security shall be permitted to spill over on operators of motor vehicles, pedestrians and uses of land in the vicinity of the light source. This requirement and the following requirements shall not apply to lighting placed in a public right-of-way for public safety. A photometric plan shall be submitted to show compliance with the lighting standards.

(a)

Type. Shielded luminaries, or luminaries with full cutoff optics, and careful fixture placement shall be required so as to not allow any light above the horizontal, as measured at the luminaire.

(b)

Orientation. Exterior lighting fixtures shall be oriented so that the lighting element (or a transparent shield) does not throw rays onto neighboring properties. Light rays shall not be directed into street rights-of-way or upward into the atmosphere.

(c)

Lighting standards. All areas designated on approved site plans for vehicular parking, loading, or circulation and used for any such purpose after sunset shall provide artificial illumination, exclusive of approved anti-vandal lighting, in such areas in accordance with the standards established in the most recent edition of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's Document RP-20, "Lighting for Parking Facilities," which ranges from 0.2 to 2.0 footcandles based on the type of use the parking lot is serving and the extent of desired security.

(d)

Intensity of illumination. The intensity of illumination, measured at the property line, shall not exceed 0.5 footcandles.

(e)

Height. Outdoor lighting fixtures on poles shall not exceed a height of 25 feet measured from the fixture lens to the ground level. The plan commission may permit a higher height in exceptional circumstances based on the size and topography of the site and compatibility with the scale of surrounding uses.

(f)

Duration. The duration or hours of operation for all outdoor lighting shall be determined by the plan commission on a case-by-case basis based on a submitted plan of operation for such uses.

(g)

Sport Lighting. Each intended sport lighting shall be designed only for the intended sporting event and shall require plan commission review and approval. The operation of all sport illumination shall be limited to the duration of the sporting event and shall be illuminated only for the purposes of the specific event.

(h)

Sign lighting. See section 46-984.

(i)

Prohibited lighting. Flashing, flickering and other lighting that may distract motorists and lightings that create or become a public nuisance are prohibited.

(j)

Nonconforming lighting. All lighting fixtures approved prior to the adoption of this chapter shall be treated as and regulated as legal nonconforming uses. (See section 46-14)

(Ord. No. 821-14, § 1, 4-28-2014; Ord. No. 845-18, § 8, 1-22-2018 )