18.85.050 Specific uses of illumination.
(A) Building and Structures. All lighting fixtures for buildings, structures and canopies shall adhere to the following requirements. The more basic styles of lighting fixtures are shown in Figure No. 3 for illustrative purposes only.
(1) All building-mounted light fixtures shall be fully shielded and shielded in such a manner as to avoid creating concentrated light (hot spots) on the structures to which they are mounted. Residential dwellings may install partially shielded light fixtures such as sconces but only at the garage and primary entryway.
(2) Exterior fixtures shall be mounted in or on a building wall no higher than necessary to illuminate the area required.
(3) In commercial districts, within a 15-foot radius of the entry door, there shall be some type of lighting to distinguish the building entrance.
(4) Overhead lighting used to light building overhangs and open canopies (including service station pump island canopies) shall use flat lenses (rather than drop lenses or refractors) and/or be fully recessed within the overhang or canopy.
(B) Security Lighting. If elected, security lighting may be permitted provided it meets the requirements outlined in subsection (A) of this section and the following:
(1) Wall-mounted security light fixtures shall comply with all requirements outlined in subsection (A) of this section and shall not exceed a mounting height equal to one-third the height of the building wall on which they are mounted. The maximum height of lighting standards (poles) used for security purposes, excluding parking lot lighting, should be 12 feet.
(2) Fully shielded light fixtures that are activated with motion sensors are the preferred type for security lighting for all residential, commercial, industrial and institutional uses rather than dusk-to-dawn type of security lights.
(3) In residential zoning districts the motion sensor security lighting should be controlled separately from all other lighting with the security lights being on timers that regulate their operation time to a maximum of ten minutes and limited to lamps with a maximum of 750 lumens.
(C) Parking Area Lighting. The City requires the lighting of designated parking areas. The use of short bollard-style shielded light fixtures may be considered in lieu of overhead lighting for parking lot lighting particularly in residential neighborhoods or adjacent to residentially zoned property. Parking lot lighting requirements shall be as follows:
(1) Within the “C-2” Commercial and the “L-I” and “H-I” Industrial Zoning Districts the maximum height of parking area lighting standards (poles) shall be 25 feet within the interior of the parking area and 16 feet at or along the perimeter of the parking area. Within the “C-1” and “MU” Zoning Districts or if the parking area abuts a residential zoning district the maximum height of the lighting standards (poles) shall be 20 feet within the interior of the parking area and 12 feet at or along the perimeter of the parking area.
(2) All parking area lighting, serving commercial and industrial uses, shall be turned off one-half hour after the close of the business that the parking area serves or as required for the safety of the employees leaving the business.
(3) Within the multiple residence zoning districts lighting standards (poles) within the parking areas shall be limited to a maximum height of 12 feet. Motion sensor/detector light fixtures are encouraged to be placed under the parking shade canopy to provide both security and parking area lighting.
(D) Outdoor Signage. If signage is illuminated it shall adhere to the following requirements:
(1) All lighting fixtures used to externally illuminate an outdoor sign shall be mounted on the top of the sign structure, shall be fully shielded and directed downward;
(2) Internally illuminated outdoor signs shall be constructed with a translucent panel material and wholly illuminated from within in a manner that the bulb or light source from the fixture is not visible. Dark backgrounds with light lettering and warm white and natural lamps are preferred to minimize detrimental effects; and
(3) Backlit advertising outdoor signage is permitted provided the bulb or light source is not visible.
(E) Ambient and Landscape Lighting. If desired ambience lighting may be permitted provided the following:
(1) Short bollard-style partially shielded light fixtures or low wattage ornamental twinkle string lighting of specimen trees is preferred to that of building-mounted lighting; and
(2) All outdoor ambience lighting fixtures shall be turned off one-half hour after the close of the business or as required for the safety of the employees leaving the business.
(F) Recreational Facilities. If recreational facilities are lighted they shall adhere to the following:
(1) Lighting of outdoor recreational facilities, public or private, shall be turned off one-half hour after the conclusion of the recreational or sporting event or as required for the safety of the employees leaving the facility and shall comply fully with all regulations of this chapter; and
(2) Retention areas used as open space and/or equipped for recreational uses along with the sidewalk or pathways adjoining the basin area should be illuminated in compliance with this chapter. If the retention area is part of a subdivision plat the final plat shall contain a statement noting compliance with these regulations. (Ord. 312 § 2(17.4), passed 4-11-2012. Code 2012 § 152.279.)