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A. Timing Controls. All lighting in nonresidential development shall be on a time clock or photo-sensor system so as to be turned off during daylight hours and during any hours when the building is not in use and the lighting is not required for security. Exceptions may be approved for low-level architectural or landscape lighting.

B. Shielding and Filtering. All lighting shall be designed to confine direct rays to the premises or onto adjacent public rights-of-way.

1. Shielding. All exterior illuminating devices, except those exempted from this chapter, shall be fully or partially shielded.

a. “Fully shielded” shall mean that those fixtures shall be shielded in such a manner that light rays emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted.

b. “Partially shielded” shall mean that those fixtures shall be shielded in such a manner that the bottom edge of the shield is below the plane center line of the light source (lamp), minimizing the light above the horizontal.

2. Filtration.

a. Those outdoor light fixtures requiring a filter shall be equipped with a filter whose transmission is less than five percent total emergent flux at wavelengths less than 3,900 angstroms. Total emergent flux is defined as that between 3,000 and 7,000 angstrom units.

b. Low pressure sodium lamps are the preferred lamp for minimizing adverse effects on astronomical observations.

3. Requirements for Shielding and Filtering. The requirements for shielding and filtering light emissions from outdoor light fixtures shall be set forth in the following table:

Table 18.95.020.B.3 Requirements for Shielding and Filtering

Fixture Type

Shielded

Filtered (4)

Low Pressure Sodium (1)

Partially

None

High Pressure Sodium

Fully

None

Metal Halide (6)

Fully

Yes

Fluorescent

Fully (5)

Yes (2)

Quartz (3)

Fully

None

Incandescent Greater than 150W

Fully

None

Fossil Fuel

None

None

Glass Tubes filled with Neon, Argon, Krypton

None

None

Other sources

As approved by zoning administrator

As approved by zoning administrator

1This is the preferred light source to minimize undesirable light into the night sky affecting astronomical observations.

2Warm white and natural lamps are preferred to minimize detrimental effects.

3For the purpose of this code, quartz lamps shall not be considered an incandescent light source.

4Most glass, acrylic, or translucent enclosures satisfy these filter requirements.

5Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. Dark backgrounds with light lettering or symbols are preferred.

6Metal halide display lighting shall not be used for security lighting after 11:00 p.m. (or after closing hours if before 11:00 p.m.) unless fully shielded. Metal halide lamps shall be in enclosed luminaires.

4. Lighting Levels for Parking and Loading Areas. The lighting system for parking and loading areas and driveways serving them shall provide not less than 1.0 foot-candle and not more than 5.0 foot-candle overall average illumination, with a minimum of 0.25 foot-candle on the paved surface of the parking and loading areas.

Figure 18.95.020.B. Light Fixture Shielding

5. Alternative Compliance. The zoning administrator shall evaluate, and possibly accept or recommend to the decision-making body, alternative lighting requirements and materials. [Res. 21-09; Ord. 21-05 § 2; Res. 14-36 § 405.02; Ord. 14-12 § 1.]