Columbia Exterior Lighting ordinance (§ 29-4.5)

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section 29-4.5 is to enhance the attractiveness and livability of the community for its citizens, both during the day and at night without compromising the safety, security, and well-being of persons engaged in outdoor nighttime activities. It is the intent of this section to control the obtrusive aspects of excessive and careless outdoor lighting usage while preserving, protecting, and enhancing the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of property. Intended outcomes include:

(1) Insuring that parking areas, public gathering places, approaches to buildings, and other areas active at night have adequate outdoor illumination.

(2) Minimizing the adverse impacts on public safety and comfort due to excessive glare.

(3) Providing minimum and maximum light levels and establishing standards of lighting uniformity to enhance night vision and security.

(4) Minimizing spillage of light on adjacent or nearby property.

(5) Minimizing the effects of skyglow.

(6) Encouraging energy conservation through the use of efficient lighting technologies.

(b) IESNA standards and interpretations. The standards in this section 29-4.5 are based on the standards in the IESNA Lighting Handbook, 9th Edition and "Lighting for Exterior Environments: An IESNA Recommended Practice," RP-33-99 both published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. These publications shall be used in interpreting undefined terms and unclear provisions of this section. When new editions of these publications are available, the environment and energy commission shall prepare a report to the council setting forth any recommended changes in the standards of this section.

(c) Conformance with applicable codes. All outdoor illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of this section 29-4.5, the building code, the electrical code and section 29-4.8 (sign standards), as applicable and under appropriate permit and inspection.

(d) General standards and exceptions.

(1) This section applies to all new construction that includes outdoor lighting and to all replacement of outdoor lighting structures other than replacement of lighting fixtures, except that:

(i) Lighting structures installed lawfully before December 4, 2006, may continue in operation. Routine replacement and repair of lighting fixtures installed before December 4, 2006, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.

(ii) Lighting installations in the M-BP or PD districts shown on development plans approved before December 4, 2006, shall comply with outdoor lighting standards adopted as part of those plans.

(iii) Additions to buildings, parking lots, and other site improvements approved before December 4, 2006, shall be exempt from the lighting plan submittal requirements of subsection (f) below, provided the addition does not increase either the size of a building or parking lot greater than fifty (50) percent of its existing gross floor area.

(iv) The addition of individual lighting structures shall not require submittal of a lighting plan pursuant to subsection (f) below provided the owner provides a certification that the additional lighting structures conform to the design criteria of this section, or the property owner obtains a special exception as provided in section 29-6.3(f).

(v) This section shall not apply to public street lighting.

(vi) Seasonal decorations that include illuminated displays are exempt from this section except that no light fixture that is part of a seasonal display shall be aimed or directed to create glare or light spillage.

(vii) This section shall not apply to the installation of an outdoor lighting structure if an application for a building permit involving the installation of that structure was received by the city on or before December 4, 2006.

(2) All outdoor facilities intended for nighttime use (5:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m.) shall be illuminated and such illumination shall be maintained in compliance with the standards of this section.

(3) Searchlights and similar spot light fixtures, such as moving, flashing, chasing and strobe lights used to attract attention to a place are prohibited.

(4) For enhanced security, only light sources with a color rendering index (CRI) of greater than sixty (60) shall be used. See Table 4.5-1 for CRI range of lamps.

(5) Any light source or lamp that emits more than nine hundred (900) lumens (13 watt compact fluorescent or 60 watt incandescent) shall be concealed or shielded with an IESNA full cut-off style fixture with an angle not exceeding 90 degrees to minimize the potential for glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property.

Table 4.5-1: Color Rendering Index Range of Lamps

Lamp Type Color Rendering Index (CRI)

Fluorescent

Lite White > 40

Warm White > 50

Warm White Deluxe > 70

Cool White > 60

Cool White Deluxe > 80

White > 60

Daylight > 70

T12 Rare Earth Phosphor > 69 to > 80

T8 Rare Earth Phosphor > 70 to > 90

Natural > 80

Incandescent > 80

Compact T4, T5 > 80

C50, C70, DSGN 50 > 90

Mercury Vapor

Clear 15—25

Coated 40 to > 50

Metal Halide

Clear or Coated 60 > 90

High Pressure Sodium

Standard > 20

Color Improved > 60

High Color Rendering > 80

Low Pressure Sodium > 20

From "Lighting for Parking Facilities," Report 20 - 98 of the IESNA 1998. For lamp types not listed above, the Manufacture's CRI for the lamp can be used to determine if the lamp meets the standard of a CRI > 60.

(e) Methods of measurement.

(1) Unless otherwise specified, all footcandle values shall be measured horizontally and shall refer to maintained footcandles (initial values with a light loss ratio applied).

(2) Light spillage thresholds shall be determined by horizontal footcandles measured at ground level at the property line.

(3) Maximum height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the finished grade directly below a light fixture and the highest point on the light fixture.

(4) A light loss ratio of seventy-two tenths (0.72) shall be used to calculate lighting plans.

(5) Maximum-to-minimum is the highest horizontal illuminance point divided by the lowest horizontal illuminance point or area and should not be greater than the values shown.

(f) Photometric lighting plan requirements. All applications for building permits involving installation of outdoor lighting shall include the following information:

(1) A photometric plan, prepared by a lighting engineer at a scale of no smaller than one inch equals sixty (60) feet which consists of:

(i) An accurate site plan of the proposed development indicating the location of property lines, and all existing and proposed land improvements including but not limited to buildings, parking lots, aisles and driveways, streets, walkways, landscaped areas and accessory structures;

(ii) The estimated footcandles at ground level across the entire site, at minimum intervals of thirty

(30) feet, including estimated footcandles at the property line;

(iii) Location and type of all lighting fixtures;

(iv)

A table indicating the type, light source, wattage, output in lumens, light loss ratio, height of luminaires above grade and the maximum-to-minimum ratio. The maximum-to-minimum ratio shall be calculated using ninety-five

(95) percent of the data point sources, excluding two and one-half (2.5) percent of the lowest values and two and one-half (2.5) percent of the highest values; and

(v) A certification by a lighting engineer that the lighting plan complies with the standards of this section. The director may rely on this certification for issuance of appropriate construction and occupancy permits.

(2) Manufacturer's catalogue specifications of all luminaires to be used, indicating the design, refractor

(lens) type, cutoff angle (full, semi or non-cutoff), and any special features affecting the performance of the light.

(g) Parking lot lighting. The following standards apply to the illumination of parking lots:

(1) Minimum lighting and maximum illuminance.

(i) During business hours, parking lots shall be uniformly illuminated such that vehicular license plates, addresses and directional, instructional or regulatory signs are plainly visible without blind spots or excessive distortion of color.

(ii) The maximum footcandles allowed on adjacent property is one-half (0.5) for residential and two

(2) for non-residential, and maximum illuminance shall comply with Table 4.5-2.

Table 4.5-2: Maintained Illuminance Values for Parking Lots

Basic (footcandles) Enhanced Security (footcandles)

Minimum horizontal illuminance 0.2 footcandles 0.5 footcandles

Maximum-to-minimum ratio 20:1 15:1

Minimum vertical illuminance 0.1 footcandles 0.25 footcandles

From "Lighting for Parking Facilities," IESNA, RP-20-98, p. 3.

(2) Lighting control. Lighting shall have automatic controls capable of turning off lighting when sufficient daylight is available or when the lighting is not required during nighttime hours. Lighting not designated for dusk-to-dawn operation shall be controlled by an astronomical time switch or time switch and photo sensor with the following exceptions:

(i) Emergency lighting that is automatically off during normal building operation;

(ii) Lighting that is specifically designated as required by a health or life safety statute, ordinance, or regulation; or

(iii) Decorative gas lighting systems.

(3) Maximum height. The height of the light structure shall not exceed twenty-eight (28) feet above grade, except as required by section 29-4.7 (Neighborhood Protection Standards).

(4) Building mounted lighting. Areas of parking lots, circulation drives, loading areas and drive-thru lanes located near the perimeter of a building may be illuminated by building-mounted lights provided the design of the lights conform to the standards of section 29-4.5(j) below and as documented in the lighting plan.

(h) Service station canopy and apron lighting. The following standards apply to gasoline service stations in addition to the parking lot lighting regulations in subsection 29-4.5(g).

(1) Minimizing glare. To minimize glare, no drop, sag or convex lenses shall be used on lighting under the canopy unless the lenses are recessed within the canopy ceiling or shielded by appropriate glare shields. No lighting shall be mounted on building or canopy fasciae or rooftops unless the fixtures are full cutoff. The intent is to keep all the light under the canopy. This lighting shall be provided with low glare luminaires.

(2) Maximum illuminance. The maximum average illuminance levels are set forth in Table 4.5-3.

Table 4.5-3: Service Station or Gas Pump Area Illuminance Levels

Area Description Maximum Average Illuminance on Described Area (Footcandles)

Approach with dark surroundings 1.5

Driveway with dark surroundings 1.5

Pump island area with dark surroundings 5.0

Building façades with dark surroundings 2.0

Service areas with dark surroundings 2.0

Landscape highlights with dark surroundings 1.0

Approach with light surroundings 2.0

Driveway with light surroundings 2.0

Pump island area with light surroundings 10.0

Building façades with light surroundings 3.0

Service areas with light surroundings 3.0

Landscape highlights with light surroundings 2.0

From "Lighting for Exterior Environments: IESNA Recommended Practice," RP-33-99, p. 43.

(i) Outdoor display area lighting. Illumination of outdoor display areas for sale of automobiles, recreational vehicles, and manufactured homes and other finished products customarily displayed outdoors shall be permitted in accordance with Table 4.5-4 and with the following:

(1) Maximum height of light fixtures same as parking lots.

(2) To minimize glare, no drop, sag or convex lenses shall be used on display-area lighting. Glare shields shall be used to eliminate visibility of the light source from the public roadway.

(3) The maximum footcandles allowed on adjacent property is one-half (0.5) for residential and two (2.0) for non-residential, and maximum illuminance shall comply with Table 4.5-4.

Table 4.5-4: Illuminance Levels for Outdoor Display Lighting

Area Maximum Illuminance on Pavement Maximum-to-Minimum Ratio

(Footcandles)

Adjacent to roadway 10—20 5:1

Other areas 5—10 10:1

Entrances 5—10 5:1

Driveways 2—3 10:1

From "Lighting for Exterior Environment: IESNA Recommended Practice," RP-33-99, p. 43.

(j) Building lighting. Building lighting shall comply with the following standards.

(1) Location and direction.

(i) Building mounted lights shall be mounted and installed so that all light is directed downward, unless the lights are decorative lighting.

(ii) Fixtures shall be full cutoff or semi-cutoff.

(iii) No wall packs or similar lights shall be permitted unless the cutoff angle effectively eliminates visible glare from beyond the property lines.

(iv) No light fixtures shall be mounted above the parapet or, for pitched roofs, above the eave except motion-detection security lighting, decorative lighting and accent lighting. (v)

Functional lighting shall not exceed four hundred (400) watts of incandescent illuminance or the equivalent. Decorative or accent lighting shall not exceed one hundred (100) watts of incandescent illuminance or the equivalent.

(vi) The maximum footcandles allowed on adjacent property is one-half (0.5) for residential and two (2.0) for non-residential.

(vii) If swivel mountings are used, lights may be raised a maximum of twenty (20) degrees from horizontal and may not be mounted above the buildings.

(viii) The maximum average illuminance levels for floodlighting buildings and monuments are set forth in Table 4.5-5.

Table 4.5-5: Illuminance Levels for Floodlighting Buildings and Monuments

Area Description Maximum Average Illuminance (Vertical)

(Footcandles)

Bright surroundings and light surfaces 5

Bright surroundings and medium light surfaces 7

Bright surroundings and dark surfaces 10

Dark surroundings and light surfaces 2

Dark surroundings and medium light surfaces 3

Dark surroundings and medium dark surfaces 4

Dark surroundings and dark surfaces 5

From "Lighting for Exterior Environments: IESNA Recommended Practice," RP-33-99, p. 30.

(2) Decorative lighting. Decorative building lighting, in which the purpose is enhancement of building appearance, shall be permitted and may be directed toward the building, provided that all light is cast against the building surface.

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

(ii) Lighting fixtures mounted on the building and designed to wash the Façade with light are preferred.

(k) Landscape lighting. Landscape lighting shall comply with the following standards:

(1) Luminaires shall be mounted four (4) feet or lower to the ground.

(2) The photometric plan shall show the location of all landscape lighting fixtures and the landscaping feature each fixture is to illuminate. The plan shall demonstrate that the installation shall not generate excessive light levels, cause glare, or direct light beyond the landscaping into the night sky.

(l) Athletic field and outdoor arena lighting. The following standards apply to the illumination of athletic fields and outdoor arenas:

(1) Minimum and maximum lighting. Athletic fields, where nighttime activity is authorized, shall provide adequate illumination for the scheduled activities. The minimum and maximum light levels shall meet the standards for sports lighting set forth in "Sports and Recreational Area Lighting," RP-6-01, published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Lighting shall use cutoffs so that light is primarily aimed at and directed to the activity area.

(2) Fixture height. Athletic field other than adult baseball fields and arena lighting fixtures shall not exceed seventy (70) feet above finished grade directly below the lighting fixture. Adult baseball field lighting fixtures shall not exceed eighty (80) feet above finished grade directly below the lighting fixture.

(3) Hours of operation. Lighting, except for lights reasonably necessary for security purposes, shall be turned off within two (2) hours after the event or closure of the facility, or when required by other regulatory ordinance. Dusk to dawn lights for security purposes shall not emit visible glare from the perspective of adjacent properties, internal access aisles and public streets.

(4) Maximum footcandles. The maximum footcandles allowed on adjacent property is one footcandle on residential properties and four (4.0) footcandles on non-residential properties.

(m) Private street lighting. Private street lighting is permitted provided the fixtures, wattage and output, fixture height, and spacing are comparable to the public street lighting standards set forth in chapter 27 (utilities) sections 27-146 through 27-151 (street lighting) of the city's Municipal Code.

(n) Security lighting. Security lighting shall comply with the following standards:

(1) All security lighting fixtures shall be shielded and aimed so that illumination is directed only to the designated area and not cast on other areas. Lighting shall not be directed above a horizontal plane through the top of the lighting fixture, and the fixture shall include shields that prevent the light source or lens from being visible from adjacent roadways and properties. The use of general floodlighting fixtures is prohibited.

(2) The maximum footcandles allowed on adjacent property is one-half (0.5) for residential and two (2.0) for non-residential.

(o) Sign lighting. Illumination of signs shall conform to section 29-4.8 (sign standards) of this Code. Location of illuminated signs and any lighting fixtures external to the signs shall be included on a lighting plan.