17.5.12 Lighting Regulations.
A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of the Lighting Regulations is to establish standards for minimizing the unintended and undesirable side effects of residential exterior lighting while encouraging the intended and desirable safety and aesthetic purposes of such lighting. It is the purpose of the Lighting Regulations to allow illumination that provides the minimum and safe amount of lighting that is needed for the lot on which the light sources are located. In addition, the purpose of this section is to protect the privacy of neighboring residents by controlling the intensity of the light source. All exterior lighting shall conform to the standards set forth below.
B. Exterior Lighting Permittable with Review. The basic guideline for exterior lighting is for it to be subdued, understated and indirect to minimize the negative impacts to surrounding lots and public rights-of-way. The location of exterior lighting that meets the requirements of this section shall only be allowed at:
1. Buildings where Building Codes require building ingress and egress doors;
2. Pedestrian walkways or stairs;
3. Plaza areas and other public areas where lighting is required;
4. Surface parking lots;
5. Signs;
6. Address identification or address monuments;
7. Flags;
8. Driveways;
9. Streetlights; and
10. Swimming pools, spas and water features.
C. Exterior Lighting that Requires a Design Variation. Certain types of exterior lighting are permittable with an approved design variation. The intent of these provisions is to provide allowances for exterior lighting that enhances and transforms architectural and structural facades as well as outdoor spaces in a way that meets the criteria of the Design Variation Standards and the Purpose and Intent of the Lighting Regulations.
The following exterior lighting requires a Design Variation to be granted by the Design Review Board pursuant to Section 17.1.11(E)(5); and must otherwise meet the Purpose and Intent of the Exterior Lighting Regulations, Section 17.5.12(A) and the Lighting Design Requirements provided below at Section 17.5.12(F)
1. Architectural lighting;
2. Lighting Associated with Outdoor Living Spaces.
D. Prohibited Lighting. The following exterior lighting is prohibited:
1. Landscape lighting;
2. Up-lighting:
3. Flood lighting;
4. Other lighting not outlined above as permitted or exempt lighting;
5. Lighting that causes glare from a site or lot to any designated wetlands or other environmentally sensitive areas;
6. Lighting that causes glare from a site or lot to adjoining property; and
7. Lighting that produces glare to vehicles within a public right-of-way or access tract.
E. Exemptions. The following types of exterior lighting shall be exempt from the lighting regulations:
1. Seasonal lighting, providing individual lamps are less than seventy (70) lumens per linear foot of lighting;
a. Seasonal lighting shall not detrimentally affect adjacent neighbors. If the Town determines that such lighting detrimentally affects adjacent neighbors, it may determine such lighting to be a nuisance and require the lighting to be removed.
2. Temporary lighting that is used for theatrical, television, performance area and construction sites;
3. Emergency lighting;
4. Special event lighting approved by the Town as a part of the required development application.
5. Swimming pool and/or hot tub lighting when it is established that no off-site glare shall occur:
6. Lighting of the United States Flag when there is no other down-light option to prevent upward glare;
7. Lighting within public right-of-way for the principle purpose of illuminating streets or roads. No exemption shall apply to any lighting within the public right-of-way when the purpose is to illuminate areas outside the public right-of-way;
8. Lighting required by the ski resort operator for the ordinary operation of the ski area snow making installation and operation.
9. Lighting associated with temporary public art as defined in Chapter 2.18.
F. Lighting Design Regulations.
1. Full Cut-Off Fixture Design. All exterior lighting shall be eighty-five degrees (85°) full cut-off fixtures that direct the light downward without any off-site glare, except as exempted in Section 17.5.12(D).
a. Each exterior luminaire shall be fully shielded down directed light sources and shall not exceed 850 lumens, with the exception of residential outdoor pathway and recessed stairway lighting which shall not exceed 300 lumens per luminaire. Lighting for Town owned parking garages shall not exceed 5000 lumens per luminaire.
2. Required Exterior Lighting Type. LED lighting or other equivalent high efficacy lighting compliant with this section, shall be used for all exterior lighting. Any fixture with a 0-5 watt lamp shall have a minimum overall luminous efficacy of 30 lumens/watt; any fixture with a 6-15 watt lamp shall have a minimum overall luminous efficacy of 45 lumens/watt.
3. Maximum Temperature. The maximum correlated color temperature for all proposed lighting types regardless of lamp type, shall be a minimum of 2,400 degrees Kelvin and shall not exceed 3,000 degrees Kelvin, or may employ amber light sources, filtered LED light sources, or a suitable alternative – with the goal of having a warmer light source.
4. Lighting for Parking Areas. Lighting shall be provided for surface parking areas and underground parking garages.
a. Surface parking lot lighting shall be located in landscaped areas to the extent practical.
b. Parking area lights are encouraged to be greater in number, lower in height and lower in light level.
c. Approved parking area lighting shall direct the light onto the parking lot areas only and ensure lower elevation development is protected from glare.
5. Maximum Height Limit for Lights. The following light fixture height limits shall be met to the extent practicable. The review authority may approve other heights based on site-specific considerations.
a. The maximum height for a pole-mounted light fixture shall be twelve feet (12'), as measured from the immediate adjacent grade, either natural or finished. Pole-mounted light fixtures are not permitted or intended to be placed on buildings or structures in order to artificially increase the height allowance or circumvent maximum height allowances.
b. The maximum height for a wall-mounted light fixture shall be seven feet (7') above the directly adjacent walking surface or pathway, except for sign lighting that may be higher as reviewed and approved by the review authority to allow for proper illumination of the sign.
c. The maximum height for public surface parking, above ground and/or underground parking garage area lighting shall be fifteen feet (15’) above the grade of the parking spaces that are intended to be illuminated. The Town would encourage alternative lighting proposals to minimize parking area lighting impacts.
d. Architectural Lighting that obtains a Design Variation pursuant to Section 17.5.12(C) may be permitted to exceed the requirements for Maximum Height Limits
6. Lighting on Upper Floors.
a. Exterior lighting on second or higher stories shall be provided by wall-mounted fixtures, recessed wall or ceiling fixtures, or lighting that is louvered or otherwise designed to prevent off-site glare.
b. Decks on second and upper floors that do not have stairs shall have only recessed wall or ceiling, in-rail or in-wall, louvered or concealed lighting that is directed towards the building or the deck/patio surface and not to the exterior yards.
c. Exterior Lighting on second and upper floors shall require either a timer or sensor to reduce usage and energy loss during times of inactivity.
7. Levels of Illumination. Exterior Lighting, when in use, shall meet the following standards for illuminance of light consistent with the provisions listed below. A point-by-point photometric calculation listing the number, type, height, and level of illumination of all exterior lighting fixtures may be required as per Section 17.5.12(E)(9) prior to Design Review Board approval or staff approval to ensure compliance with these provisions.
a. Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures/areas, and group mailboxes shall be illuminated with a maximum average not to exceed four (4 fc) foot-candles of light.
b. Pedestrian walkways and staircases shall be illuminated with a maximum average not to exceed two (2 fc) foot-candles of light or as otherwise required by building code.
c. Exterior doors shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one (1 fc) foot-candle of light, measured within a five (5' 0") foot radius on each side of the door at ground level or as otherwise required by building code.
d. In order to minimize light trespass on abutting residential property, illumination measured at the nearest residential structure or rear yard setback line shall not exceed the moon’s potential ambient illumination of one-tenth (0.1 fc) foot-candle
e. The use of exterior lighting shall be minimized in areas of important wildlife habitat and delineated wetlands, and lighting shall be designed so that it does not spill over or onto such critical habitat.
8. Lighting Designer Required. In the case of new development or remodeling subject to the Lighting Regulations, a Lighting Certified professional, a Certified Lighting Efficiency professional, an International Association of Lighting Designers member or similarly certified professional, or a licensed architect shall design all exterior lighting.
9. Lighting Plan Required. A detailed exterior lighting plan, separate from other required plans, shall be submitted with development application detailing the location and specifications of all lighting to be installed. New development of single-family dwellings having a gross floor area of less than 3,500 square feet as well as minor revisions to existing lighting plans shall be subject to only the requirements of 17.5.12(F)(9)(a) below unless it is determined by the Community Development Department that unique circumstances exist or if required for safety reasons.
a. The exterior lighting plan shall describe the location, height above grade, type of illumination (such as LED, halogen, high pressure sodium, etc.), source, and temperature for each light source being proposed.
b. An isofootcandle diagram prepared by a certified lighting professional or licensed architect as outlined above may be required and if required shall indicate the level and extent of the proposed lighting as per 17.5.12(E)(7).
10. Additional Lighting Requirements for the Village Center. Provisions for seasonal lighting shall be incorporated into the exterior lighting plan for all projects located within the Village Center.
a. Additional lighting requirements for the Village Center are found within the Commercial, Ground Level and Plaza Area Design Regulations.
11. Application. All newly installed exterior lighting shall comply with the Lighting Regulations.
a. A redevelopment or remodel valued at five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or more shall retrofit all existing exterior lighting to comply with the then current Lighting Regulations. Roof replacements are exempt from this requirement.
b. Notwithstanding the value of the redevelopment or remodel, if twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the exterior lights are to be replaced, all existing exterior lighting shall be retrofitted to comply with the then current Lighting Regulations. (Ord. No. 2023-03 §2; Ord. No. 2022-05 §1(B) (Exh. A)).