§ 14-84. Control of glare, light trespass and light levels.

(a)

Glare control. All fixtures other than floods shall be fully shielded and shall be classified as full cutoff, as classified by the IESNA. This shall mean that no light is to be emitted out of the fixture above the 90 degree-horizontal plane. Floodlights are to be equipped with shields and aimed so as to direct the light onto the area to be lighted.

(b)

Light trespass. The horizontal illuminance on the ground shall not exceed 0.4 maintained footcandles five feet beyond any adjacent property line.

(c)

Light levels. The following table summarizes the recommended light levels for general parking and pedestrian areas.

LIGHT LEVELS FOR GENERAL OUTDOOR

	Use/Task	Maximum Maintained Footcandles	Uniformity Average/ Minimum
(a)	Streets, local residential	0.4 avg.	6:1
(b)	Streets, local commercial	0.9 avg.	6:1
(c)	Parking, residential, multifamily
	• Low vehicular/pedestrian activity	0.2 min.	4:1
	• Medium vehicular/pedestrian activity	0.6 min.	4:1
(d)	Parking, industrial/commercial/institutional/municipal
	• High activity, i.e., regional shopping centers/fast-food facilities, major athletic/civic cultural events	0.9 min.	4:1
	• Medium activity, i.e., community shopping, office parks, hospitals, commuter lots, cultural/civic/recreational events	0.6 min.	4:1
	• Low activity, i.e., neighborhood shopping, industrial employee parking, schools, church parking	0.2 min.	4:1
(e)	Walkways and bikeways	0.5 avg.	5:1
(f)	Building entrances	5.0 avg.

 

Notes:

1.

Illumination levels are horizontal on the task, e.g. pavement or area surface.

2.

Uniformity ratios dictate that average illuminance values shall not exceed minimum values by more than the product of the minimum value and the specified ratio. For example, for commercial parking high activity, the average footcandles shall not be in excess of 3.6 (0.9 × 4).

3.

Any low or medium activity can be reclassified upward when appropriate with town approval.

4.

Source: IESNA Lighting Handbook 8 ^th edition.

5.

Lighting levels may be less than the maximum maintained footcandles.

(d)

Sales/display areas. In some instances, higher values are required for retail sales/display areas such as car lots. Such values are given in the following table:

LIGHT LEVELS FOR SALES/DISPLAY

	Use/Task	Maximum Footcandles	Uniformity Ratio Max./Min.
(a)	Main Business District (highly competitive):
	• Adjacent to roadway	10—20	5:1
	• Other rows	5—10	10:1
	• Entrances	5—10	10:1
	• Driveways	2—3	5:1
(b)	Secondary Business Districts (or small towns):
	• Adjacent to roadway	5—10	5:1
	• Other rows	2.5—5	10:1
	• Entrances	2.5—5	5:1
	• Driveways	1—2	10:1

 

Source: IESNA RP-33-99

(e)

Gas station/convenience store lighting. Lighting levels for convenience stores, gas station and other similar locations shall be adequate to facilitate the activities taking place in such locations. Lighting of such areas shall not be used to attract attention to such businesses. Signs allowed under article V of chapter 58 shall be used for that purpose. Facilities having canopies shall be restricted to no more than 320 watt recessed fixtures, including lenses, mounted flush with the bottom of the canopy. The light level shall not exceed 20 footcandles average maintained, measured at ground level at the gas pump island area. Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides (fascias) of the canopy, and the sides (fascias) of the canopy shall not be illuminated.

(f)

Sportsfield lighting. Lighting for sportsfields is generally in excess of general outdoor lighting levels. Recreation lighting levels established by the IESNA are to be used as the standard. Higher lighting levels for tournament or high league play are sometimes required and must be approved by the town prior to construction. All sportsfields must meet the following minimum standards:

(1)

Fixtures must not exceed 80 feet in mounting height, including bases and/or other mounting structures.

(2)

Fixtures must be fitted with the manufacturer's glare control package. If the manufacturer does not have a glare control package, the fixture specification must be changed to a manufacturer that offers a glare control package.

(3)

Fixtures must be designed with a sharp cutoff and aimed so that their light beams fall within the primary playing area and the immediate surroundings, so that off-site direct illumination is significantly restricted.

(4)

Lighting shall be extinguished no later than one hour after the event ends.

(g)

Signs.

(1)

Lighting fixtures illuminating signs shall be carefully located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed only onto the sign facade and glare is significantly reduced. Lighting fixtures shall not be aimed toward adjacent streets, roads or properties.

(2)

Lighting fixtures illuminating signs shall be of a type such that the light source (bulb) is not directly visible from adjacent streets, roads or properties.

(3)

Internally illuminated signs are prohibited.

(4)

To the extent practicable, lighting fixtures shall be directed downward rather than upward.

(5)

This article does not regulate outdoor signs. Such regulations have been adopted and can be found in article V of chapter 58.

(h)

Building facades.

(1)

Minimum illumination on any vertical surface or angular roof shall not exceed 5.0 footcandles average maintained.

(2)

Lighting fixtures shall be carefully located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed only onto the building facade. Lighting fixtures shall not be directed toward adjacent streets or roads.

(3)

To the extent practicable, lighting fixtures shall be directed downward rather than upward.

(i)

Softscape/holiday/festive lighting . All softscape (landscape) lighting shall be aimed and shielded, if necessary, so as not to cause a hazard to a motorist or pedestrian. All fixtures shall be less than 50 watts. All holiday lighting shall be temporary in nature and shall be used only during the holiday or festive celebration period.

(Ord. No. O-2000-01, § 2-2, 8-14-2000; Ord. No. O-2003-11, § 1, 5-12-2003; O-2009-09, 7-13-2009)