CHAPTER 15 - LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS

10-15-1: PURPOSE AND INTENT:

It is the intent of this chapter to define practical and effective measures by which the obtrusive aspects of excessive and/or careless outdoor light usage can be minimized, while preserving safety, security, and the nighttime use and enjoyment of property. These measures will curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual environment by encouraging lighting practices that direct appropriate amounts of light where and when it is needed, increasing the use of energy efficient sources, and decreasing the wastage of light and glare resulting from over lighting and poorly shielded or inappropriately directed lighting fixtures. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-2: DEFINITIONS:

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, certain words and phrases shall mean the following:

DEVELOPMENT: Any residential, commercial, industrial or mixed use subdivision plan or development plan, including, but not limited to, site development plans, planned development overlays, subdivision plat or planned development plan, which is submitted to the city for approval.

DIRECT ILLUMINATION: Illumination resulting from light emitted directly from a lamp or luminaire, not light diffused through translucent signs or reflected from other surfaces such as the ground or building faces.

DIRECTLY VISIBLE: Allowing a direct line of sight to the light source or lamp.

DISPLAY LOT OR AREA: Outdoor areas where active nighttime sales activity occurs and where accurate color perception of merchandise by customers is required. To qualify as a display lot, one of the following specific uses must occur on the lot: automobile sales, boat sales, tractor sales, building supply sales, gardening or nursery sales, assembly lots, swap meets. Uses not on this list must be approved as display lot uses by the community development director.

FLOODLIGHT: A specific form of light or lamp designed to direct its output in a specific direction and as a broad beam.

FOOT-CANDLE: A unit of illuminance being one lumen per square foot. It is the luminous flux per unit area in the imperial system. One foot-candle equals approximately 10 (10.8) lux.

FULLY SHIELDED LIGHT FIXTURE: A lighting fixture constructed in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing element, or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of the luminaire, is projected below the horizontal as determined by photometric test or certified by the manufacturer. Any structural part of the light fixture providing this shielding must be permanently affixed.

GLARE: The sensation produced by a bright source within the visual field that is sufficiently brighter than the level to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility; blinding light. The magnitude of glare depends on such factors as the size, position, brightness of the source, and on the brightness level to which the eyes are adapted.

ILLUMINANCE: The amount of light falling onto a unit area of surface (luminous flux per unit area) measured in lumens per square meter (lux) or lumens per square foot (foot-candles).

ILLUMINATION ENGINEER: A professional engineer having received training in the art/science of illumination.

LIGHT POLLUTION: Any adverse effect of manmade light.

LIGHT TRESPASS: Light falling where it is not wanted or needed, typically across property boundaries.

LIGHTING ZONES: The three (3) lighting zones are defined in this section. Guidelines used to guide the delineation of the lighting zones are:

(A) Lighting Zone E-3: Includes land use zones B-1, B-2, B-3, PD-C, PD-I, CA, T and PD-X as areas of high ambient lighting levels. This zone generally includes urban areas with primary land uses for commercial, business and industrial activity, including highway commercial and downtown districts.

(B) Lighting Zone E-2: Includes land use zones R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3X, R-5, CA and PD-R as areas of medium ambient lighting levels. This zone generally includes suburban/urban residential areas.

(C) Lighting Zone E-1: Includes land use zones A-1, R-S, R-L, and R-E as areas of low ambient lighting levels. This zone generally includes rural residential and agricultural areas.

LUMEN: Unit of luminous flux; used to measure the amount of light emitted by lamps.

LUMINAIRE: The complete lighting assembly (including the lamp, housing, reflectors, lenses and shields), less the support assembly (pole or mounting bracket); a light fixture. For purposes of determining total light output from a luminaire or light fixture, lighting assemblies which include multiple unshielded or partially shielded lamps on a single pole or standard shall be considered as a single unit.

LUMINOUS TUBE: A glass tube filled with a gas or gas mixture (including neon, argon, mercury or other gases), usually of small diameter (10-15 millimeters), caused to emit light by the passage of an electric current, and commonly bent into various forms for use as decoration or signs. A "neon" tube. Does not include common fluorescent tubes.

LUX: One lumen per square meter. Unit of illuminance. It is the luminous flux per unit area in the metric system. One lux equals approximately 10 (10.8) foot-candles.

MULTIUSE LIGHTING: Any property having multiuse zoning or multiple approved uses are required to use the more restrictive requirements of this code when two (2) or more uses are approved.

NET ACREAGE: The remaining area after deleting all portions for proposed and existing public roadways within a development parcel or subdivision. For parcels including those special uses listed in section 10-15-6 of this chapter that are exempted from the lumens per acre caps of section 10-15-4 of this chapter (recreational facilities, outdoor display), the area devoted to the special use shall also be excluded from the net acreage. For development proposals improving less than the entire parcel, the net acreage includes all areas included in the footprint of all structures and site modifications or improvements, such as, but not limited to, setbacks or buffer areas, parking lots, access drives, landscaping, and sidewalks, plus any applicable setbacks that would apply to further potential developments on the remaining unimproved parcel, and after deleting all portions for proposed and existing public roadways. An example of this would be an office development only utilizing two (2) of three (3) possible acres for structures, landscaping, and paved areas. The net acreage used in determining the allowable lumens per acre would be two (2) acres.

OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURE: An outdoor illuminating device, outdoor lighting or reflective surface, luminous tube, lamp or similar device, permanently installed or portable, used for illumination, decoration, or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, lights used for:

(A) Parking lot lighting;

(B) Roadway lighting;

(C) Buildings and structures;

(D) Recreational areas;

(E) Landscape lighting;

(F) Billboards and other signs (advertising or other);

(G) Product display area lighting;

(H) Building or structure decoration;

(I) Building overhangs and open canopies;

(J) Spotlight;

(K) Floodlight.

OUTDOOR LIGHT OUTPUT, TOTAL: The initial total amount of light, measured in lumens, from all lamps used in outdoor light fixtures. Includes all lights used for external illumination of signs, but does not include lights used to illuminate signs internally or luminous tubing used in signs. For lamp types that vary in their output as they age (such as high pressure sodium, fluorescent and metal halide), the initial lamp output, as defined by the manufacturer, is the value to be considered. For determining compliance with section 10-15-4, "Shielding And Total Outdoor Light Output Standards", of this chapter, the light emitted from lamps in outdoor light fixtures is to be included in the total output as follows:

(A) Outdoor light fixtures installed on poles (such as parking lot luminaires) and light fixtures installed on the sides of buildings or other structures, when not shielded from above by the structure itself as defined in subsections B, C and D of this definition, are to be included in the total outdoor light output by simply adding the initial lumen outputs of the lamps;

(B) Outdoor light fixtures installed under canopies, buildings (including parking garage decks), overhangs or roof eaves where all parts of the lamp or luminaire are located at least five feet (5') but less than ten feet (10') from the nearest edge of the canopy or overhang are to be included in the total outdoor light output as though they produced only one-quarter (0.25) of the lamp's rated initial lumen output;

(C) Outdoor light fixtures installed under canopies, buildings (including parking garage decks), overhangs or roof eaves where all parts of the lamp or luminaire are located at least ten feet (10') but less than thirty feet (30') from the nearest edge of the canopy or overhang are to be included in the total outdoor light output as though they produced only one-tenth (0.10) of the lamp's rated initial lumen output.

(D) Outdoor light fixtures installed under canopies, buildings (including parking garage decks), overhangs or roof eaves where all parts of the lamp or luminaire are located thirty (30) or more feet from the nearest edge of the canopy or overhang are not to be included in the total outdoor light output. Such lamps must however conform to the lamp source and shielding requirements of section 10-15-4 of this chapter.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: An area designed for active recreation, whether publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, golf courses, tennis courts, and swimming pools.

SEARCHLIGHT: A lighting assembly designed to direct the output of a contained lamp in a specific tightly focused direction (a beam) with a reflector located external to the lamp, and with a swiveled mount to allow the assembly to be easily redirected. Such lights are used commonly to sweep the sky for advertisement purposes.

SIGN, EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED: A sign illuminated by light sources from the outside.

SIGN, INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED: A sign illuminated by light sources enclosed entirely within the sign cabinet and not directly visible from outside the sign.

SPOTLIGHT: A form of lighting fixture designed to direct or project a spot of light illuminating a defined spot or object by directing a narrow beam of light on a small area.

TEMPORARY LIGHTING: Lighting which does not conform to the provisions of this code and which will not be used for more than one thirty (30) day period within a calendar year, with one thirty (30) day extension. Temporary lighting is intended for uses which by their nature are of limited duration; for example holiday decorations, civic events, or construction projects.

USE, ABANDONMENT OF: The relinquishment of a property, or the cessation of a use or activity by the owner or tenant for a period of six (6) months, excluding temporary or short term interruptions for the purpose of remodeling, maintaining, or otherwise improving or rearranging a facility. A use shall be deemed abandoned when such use is suspended as evidenced by the cessation of activities or conditions which constitute the principle use of the property. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-3: APPLICABILITY:

(A)New Uses, Buildings, Major Or Minor Additions Or Modifications To Outdoor Lighting: For all proposed new land uses, developments, buildings, and structures that require an applicant to process a site development plan, planned development plan, or planned development overlay, all outdoor lighting fixtures shall meet the requirements of this chapter. Modification or replacement of outdoor lighting, during the applicable amortization period, shall require the submission of a lighting plan that conforms to all sections of this chapter.

(B)Resumption Of Use After Abandonment: If a property or use with nonconforming lighting is abandoned as defined in section 10-15-2 of this chapter, then all outdoor lighting shall be reviewed and brought into compliance with this chapter before the use is resumed. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-4: SHIELDING AND TOTAL OUTDOOR LIGHT OUTPUT STANDARDS:

(A)Shielding Standards: All outdoor lighting fixtures having initial output greater than or equal to two thousand (2,000) lumens shall be fully shielded in all lighting zones. All outdoor lighting fixtures having an initial output less than two thousand (2,000) lumens need not be fully shielded, but shall not be aimed more than forty five degrees (45°) from the surface upon which the fixture is mounted when the source is visible from any off site residential property or public roadway. All outdoor lighting shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (D) of this section not withstanding lumen limits otherwise applicable in this chapter.

(B)Total Outdoor Light Output Standards: Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the following light output standards shall apply:

1. In the E-3 lighting zone, total outdoor light output shall not exceed two hundred thousand (200,000) initial lumens per acre when all outdoor lighting fixtures are fully shielded and/or twenty thousand (20,000) initial lumens per acre when nonfully shielded lighting fixtures are used.

2. In the E-2 lighting zone, total outdoor light output shall not exceed one hundred thousand (100,000) initial lumens per acre when all outdoor lighting fixtures are fully shielded and/or twenty thousand (20,000) lumens per acre when nonfully shielded lighting fixtures are used.

3. In E-1 and E-2 lighting zones, where there are less than four (4) dwelling units per lot or parcel, total light output shall not exceed ten thousand (10,000) lumens per acre for all types of light fixtures, nor exceed six thousand (6,000) lumens per acre of nonfully shielded light fixtures.

4. Each lot or parcel in the E-1 and E-2 lighting zones shall be allowed a minimum of six thousand (6,000) lumens per lot or parcel, regardless of area.

(C)Acceptable Lamp Types: Metal halide, high pressure sodium, fluorescent, induction incandescent, halogen, and low pressure sodium (allowed when combined with 25 percent white light source to provide proper color rendition). Other bulb types may be substituted with the approval of the community development director.

(D)Foot-Candle Limitations: No more than 0.1 foot-candle of light should be allowed, measured at a point ten feet (10') beyond any property line, as a direct result of on site lighting regardless of what type or types of outdoor lighting fixtures are used. When like commercial or industrial uses abut each other the community development director may waive this requirement if the following criteria are met:

1. The amount of light trespassing the property line is the minimum amount, or less, required to achieve the Illumination Engineers Society of North America recommendation for the proposed task/use.

2. There are no residential uses abutting the subject site and/or the light trespass will not reach the residential use.

(E)Lumens Per Development Acre: "Lumens per development acre" are calculated as follows: Total of the initial lamp lumens for all lamps used, excluding those used for internal sign illumination, those used in display lots, signs, and those under service station canopies, divided by the acreage of the development.

(F)Effective Shielding Standard: All light fixtures that are required to be shielded shall be installed and maintained in such a manner that the shielding is effective as described in the definition in section 10-15-2 of this chapter for fully shielded fixtures.

(G)Light Trespass Standard: Beyond the shielding requirements of this section, all light fixtures shall be located, aimed or shielded so as to minimize stray light trespassing across property boundaries. Any lamp installed on a residential property and visible from any other residential property must be shielded such that light trespass on the other residential property does not exceed the limits of subsection (D) of this section.

(H)Multiuse Lighting Standard: Multiuse lighting must conform to the shielding and timing restrictions, if any, that apply to the most restrictive use being proposed. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-5: OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNS:

(A)Externally Illuminated Sign Standards: External illumination for signs shall conform to all provisions of this chapter. In particular, such lighting shall comply with the lamp source, shielding restrictions and lumen caps of section 10-15-4 of this chapter. All upward directed sign lighting using lamps with initial lumens output of two thousand (2,000) or more are prohibited.

(B)Internally Illuminated Sign Standards: Internally illuminated panels or decorations not considered to be signage according to title 4, chapter 3 of this code (such as illuminated canopy margins, light bands or building faces) shall be subject to the standards applicable for such lighting, including, but not limited to, the lamp source, shielding standards and lumens per acre caps of section 10-15-4 of this chapter. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-6: SPECIAL USES:

Outdoor Display Lots:

(A) Shielding: All display lot lighting shall utilize fully shielded luminaires that are installed in a fashion that maintains the fully shielded characteristics.

(B) Off Site Spill: The display lot shall limit off site spill (off the parcel containing the display lot) to a maximum of 0.1 foot-candle fifteen feet (15') past the property line on any nonresidential property, and 0.1 foot-candle five feet (5') past the property line at any location adjacent to residential property, as measurable from any orientation of the measuring device.

(C) Certification: Every display lot lighting system design and installation shall be certified by an illumination engineer as conforming to all applicable restrictions of this chapter.

(D) Foot-Candle Maximum: A maximum of thirty five (35) foot-candles in the display lot is permitted. A five (5) foot-candle increase in the maximum allowance is allowable for unforeseen design constraints. The applicant will be required to provide justification, to the community development director, from an illumination engineer stating why the thirty five (35) foot-candle maximum cannot be met.

(E) Development Of Acreage: Each display lot shall be limited to a maximum of thirty percent (30%) of the development acreage.

Recreational Facilities:

(A) Lighting for outdoor athletic fields, courts or tracks in all lighting zones, shall be exempt from the lumens per acre limits and shielding requirements of section 10-15-4 of this chapter.

Service Station Canopies:

(A) Shielding: All luminaires mounted on or recessed into the lower surface of service station canopies shall be fully shielded and utilize flat lenses. The edge of the canopy is not considered to be a shielding source.

(B) Total Under Canopy Output: The total light output used for illuminating service station canopies, defined as the sum of all under canopy initial bare lamp outputs in lumens, shall not exceed sixty (60) lumens per square foot of canopy in lighting zone E-3. All lighting mounted under the canopy, including, but not limited to, luminaires mounted on the lower surface or recessed into the lower surface of the canopy and any lighting within signage or illuminated panels over the pumps, is to be included toward the total at full initial lumen output.

(C) Area: The area of any service station canopy shall be included in the net acreage when determining total lumens per acre.

(D) Certification: Every service station canopy lighting system design and installation shall be certified by an illumination engineer as conforming to all applicable restrictions of this chapter.

Other Lighting On Parcels With Special Uses: All lighting not directly associated with the special use areas above shall conform to the lighting standards described in this chapter, including, but not limited to, the lamp type and shielding requirements of section 10-15-4 of this chapter and the lumens per acre limits of section 10-15-4 of this chapter. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-7: SUBMISSION OF PLANS AND EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CODE:

(A)Submission Contents: The applicant for any permit/development plan required by any provision of this code in connection with any additions, parking lot changes, change of use, or proposed work involving outdoor lighting fixtures shall submit (as part of the application for permit/development plan) evidence that the proposed work will comply with this chapter. Such evidence shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Plans indicating the location on the premises of all lighting fixtures, both proposed and any already existing on the site;

2. Description of all lighting fixtures, both proposed and existing. The description may include, but is not limited to, catalog cuts and illustrations by manufacturers (including sections where required); lamp types, wattages and initial lumen outputs;

3. Photometric data, such as that furnished by manufacturers, or similar showing the angle of cut off of light emissions.

4. Photometric plan showing foot-candle readings across the property extending ten feet (10') past all property lines. All photometric plans submitted for display lots shall show foot-candle readings fifteen feet (15') beyond all property lines.

(B)Additional Submission: The above required plans, descriptions and data shall be sufficiently complete to enable the community development director to readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this chapter will be secured. If such plans, descriptions and data do not enable this ready determination or the community development director requests additional information, the applicant shall additionally submit evidence of compliance to enable such determination. Certified reports of tests will do so provided that these tests shall have been performed and certified by a recognized testing laboratory.

(C)Lamp Or Fixture Substitution: Should any outdoor light fixture or the type of light source therein is to be changed after the permit has been issued, a change request must be submitted to the community development director for approval, together with adequate information to assure compliance with this chapter, which must be received before substitution.

(D)Plan Approval: If the community development director determines that the proposed lighting does not comply with this chapter, the permit shall not be issued or the plan approved.

(E)Certification Of Installation: For all projects where the total initial output of the proposed lighting equals or exceeds one hundred thousand (100,000) lamp lumens, certification that the lighting, as installed, conforms to the approved plans shall be provided by an illumination engineer before the certificate of occupancy is issued. Until this certification is submitted, approval for use of a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued for the project. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-8: APPROVED MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION OR INSTALLATION/OPERATION:

(A)The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any design, material, or method of installation or operation not specifically prescribed by this chapter, provided any such alternative has been approved by the community development director. The community development director may approve an alternative provided that it:

1. Provides equivalence to the applicable requirements of this chapter, or

2. Is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of this chapter. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-9: PROHIBITIONS:

(A)Laser Source Light: The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal, is prohibited.

(B)Searchlights: The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-10: TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS:

(A)Exemption Request: Any person may submit, on a form prepared by the city of Littleton, to the community development director, a temporary exemption request. The request shall contain the following information:

1. Specific exemption(s) requested;

2. Duration of requested exemption(s);

3. Proposed location on premises of the proposed light fixture(s);

4. Purpose of proposed lighting;

5. Information for each luminaire and lamp combination as required in section 10-15-4 of this chapter;

6. Previous temporary exemptions, if any, and addresses of premises thereunder;

7. Such other data and information as may be required by the designated official.

(B)Approval; Duration: The community development director shall have five (5) business days from the date of a complete submission of the request for temporary exemption to act, in writing, on the request. If approved, the exemption shall be valid for not more than thirty (30) days from the date of issuance of the approval. The approval shall be renewable upon further written request, at the discretion of the community development director, for a maximum of one additional thirty (30) day period. The designated official is not authorized to grant more than one temporary permit and one renewal for a thirty (30) day period for the same property within one calendar year.

(C)Disapproval; Appeal: If the request for temporary exemption or its extension is disapproved, the person making the request will have the appeal rights provided in section 10-15-12 of this chapter. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-11: OTHER EXEMPTIONS:

(A)Seasonal Lighting: Seasonal lighting and decorations using typical low wattage incandescent lamps.

(B)School Districts: Compliance with this code is encouraged.

(C)Emergency Lighting: Emergency lighting, used by police, firefighting, or medical personnel, or at their direction, is exempt from all requirements of this code for as long as the emergency exists.

(D)Swimming Pool And Fountain Lighting: Underwater lighting used for the illumination of swimming pools and fountains is exempt from the lamp type and shielding standards of section 10-15-4 of this chapter, though it must conform to all other provisions of this chapter.

(E)Street And Sidewalk Lighting: Street lighting and walkway lighting owned and operated by the city of Littleton are exempt from these regulations.

(F)The use of nonshielded decorative "Sternberg" type lights are exempt from these regulations with respect to shielding requirements. When used on any specific site the total lumens output will be calculated in the overall maximum allowance.

A maximum lumens output of each nonshielded decorative light pole or bollard can not exceed six thousand (6,000) lumens and are included in each property's maximum allowable lumens per acre. In addition, all clear glass reflectors/refractors are not permitted. Pedestrianways, drive aisles, parking lots should all be lighted by fully shielded fixtures and not decorative poles. The development review committee shall make the final judgment on all design issues related to the installation of decorative light poles on commercial property.

(G)Flagpole and monument lighting are exempt from these lighting requirements. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-12: APPEALS:

Any person substantially aggrieved by any decision of the community development director made in administration of the chapter has to appeal to the board of adjustment. The following criteria must be met in order for the board of adjustment to grant relief from this chapter:

(A)The proposed variance request is based upon a specific hardship that is unique to the site and is directly attributable to existing topographical conditions that do not allow the applicant to meet all sections of this chapter.

(B)The proposed variance request shall at no time allow proposed light levels to exceed the maximum lumen limits of this chapter.

(C)The proposed variance request may not be based upon existing lumen levels on adjacent properties located outside the city of Littleton.

(D)The proposed variance requests must meet the overall intent of this chapter to eliminate glare, light pollution and light trespass. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-13: AMORTIZATION PERIOD:

All outdoor lighting fixtures lawfully installed before and operable on the effective date hereof which do not meet the requirements of this chapter are deemed to be nonconforming outdoor lighting fixtures. Any nonconforming outdoor lighting fixture, or site within the E-1 or E-2 lighting zone shall conform to the provisions of this chapter within five (5) years of the effective date hereof. Any nonconforming outdoor lighting fixture, or site within the E-3 lighting zone shall conform to the provisions of this chapter within five (5) years of the effective date hereof. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

10-15-14: PENALTIES:

It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm or corporation to violate any provision of this chapter, or as same may be amended from time to time. Any violations shall be punishable as set forth in section 1-4-1 of this code. In addition to any other penalties, any violation of this chapter is also a public nuisance, which a court of competent jurisdiction shall enjoin. The city attorney may also obtain legal or equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction. (Ord. 1, Series of 2003)

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