Sec. 7.4. Outdoor Lighting

7.4.1. Purpose

The purpose of these standards is to assure that adequate exterior lighting is provided for nonresidential and multifamilyClosed A residential use consisting of at least three dwelling units. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: townhouse; detached rowhouse; multiplex; or apartment. developmentsClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. to facilitate crime prevention, security, and safe passage, and that exterior lights be shielded so that the light cast beyond the property line does not exceed the limits in accordance with these standards.

7.4.2. Applicability

A. Adequate lighting shall be provided in nonresidential and multifamilyClosed A residential use consisting of at least three dwelling units. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: townhouse; detached rowhouse; multiplex; or apartment. developmentsClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. conforming to professional engineering standards.

B. The following shall be exempt from these provisions:

1. Outdoor lights used for a temporary event; permitted through a temporary use permit.

2. Outdoor lights used exclusively for recreational activities, concerts, plays or other outdoor events that are open to the public, provided that the light fixtures are located at least 100 feet from any adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. residential use and the event or function meets all other applicable zoning requirements. Time limits are as follows:

a. No limits within the UC, UC-2, and DD Districts.

b. In all other districts, lights shall not be illuminated between the weekday hours of 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

c. In the I, IL, and IP Districts, illumination may be extended until 3:00 a.m. on weekdays and 5:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday with the approval of a minor special use permit per Sec. 3.9, Special Use Permit. Additionally, the review factors in paragraph 3.9.8B, Review Factors, to be considered shall be limited to paragraphs 3.9.8B.4, Lighting; 3.9.8B.10, Effect on Nearby Properties; 3.9.8B.11, Compatibility; and 3.9.8B.12, Consistency with Policy.

3. Outdoor lighting exempted pursuant to 1 and 2 above shall only be illuminated while the activity takes place and during high traffic periods immediately before and after the event.

7.4.3. Standards

A. All site lighting shall be designed so that the level of illumination as measured in foot-candles (fc) at all points meets the standards in the table below with minimum and maximum levels measured on the pavement within the lighted area.

Type of Lighting

 LIGHT LEVEL
(in foot-candles)

Minimum at Any Point

Maximum at Any Point

Architectural Lighting, Landscape or Decorative Lighting, Walkways except for those listed below

0.0

5.0

CanopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. Area Lighting

2.0

24.0
Pedestrian PassagesClosed A site feature of Design Districts where a passageway for pedestrian movement is provided through the development site. and Malls (Article 16)

1.0

15.0

MultifamilyClosed A residential use consisting of at least three dwelling units. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: townhouse; detached rowhouse; multiplex; or apartment. Parking LotClosed An area of land where vehicles are kept on a daily, overnight, or temporary basis; not to include the storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle parts, or the repair of vehicles.

0.5

8.0

Nonresidential and MultifamilyClosed A residential use consisting of at least three dwelling units. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: townhouse; detached rowhouse; multiplex; or apartment. Entrances

1.0

15.0

Nonresidential Parking LotClosed An area of land where vehicles are kept on a daily, overnight, or temporary basis; not to include the storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle parts, or the repair of vehicles.

0.5

10.0

On-site walkways between buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. entrances, between parking and a buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. entrance, or serving to meet sidewalk requirements per Sec. 12.4, Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility.

0.2

5.0

Storage Area (security lighting)

0.5

10.0

VehicleClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. Sales and Display

0.5

24.0

 

B. The maximum illumination permitted at the edge of a property line shall be as set forth below. Where a developmentClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. is unified with shared parking or other measures shown on a site planClosed An accurately scaled development plan that shows existing conditions on a site as well as depicting details of proposed development., the maximum illumination levels shall apply only to the exterior lot lines of the project (any interior lot lines shall be exempt from this paragraph).

1. The maximum illumination at the edge of the property line adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to a residential zoning district shall be 0.5 foot-candles.

2. The maximum illumination at the edge of the property line adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to nonresidential zoning district shall be 5.0 foot-candles.

3. The maximum illumination at the edge of the property line adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to a street shall be 5.0 foot-candles.

C. Full-Cutoff Lighting

The maximum height for directional or full cut-off lighting fixtures (fixtures designed to ensure that no light is emitted above a horizontal line parallel to the ground) shall be:

1. Thirty feet above gradeClosed A land disturbing activity that modifies the contours of the land. if located at least 50 feet from a residential property line; and

2. Fifteen feet above gradeClosed A land disturbing activity that modifies the contours of the land. if located within 50 feet of a residential property line.

D. Non-Directional Lighting

The maximum height for non-directional lighting fixtures (fixtures designed to allow light to be emitted above a horizontal line parallel to the ground) shall be 15 feet above gradeClosed A land disturbing activity that modifies the contours of the land.. Non-directional lighting fixtures shall be translucent or have baffles to prevent views of the light source.

E. Canopy Lighting

Under canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. lighting shall be restricted to lighting fixtures (including lenses) that do not project below the bottom of the canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather..

F. Glare

Lighting shall be orientedClosed The directional placement of a structure or element in relation to its surroundings, the street and other structures. not to direct glare or excessive illumination onto streets and adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. residences.

G. Accent Lighting

Lighting fixtures used to accent architectural features, landscaping or art shall be located, aimed or shielded to minimize light spill into the night sky.

H. Blinking or Flashing Lights

Blinking or flashing lights shall be prohibited unless the lights are required as a safety feature (e.g. beacons on towers) or permitted as part of a signClosed Any words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade names, or trade marks by which anything is made known such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, an association, a corporation, a profession, a business, or a commodity or products, which are legible from any public street or adjacent property and used to attract attention. This definition includes the structure or the face on which a sign message is displayed. For the purposes of this Ordinance, this definition shall not include "trade dress" i.e.: architectural features identified with a product or business, as a sign. in accordance with Article 11, Sign Standards.

I. Non-Conformities

Lighting fixtures existing as of June 12, 2000 may remain, and shall be considered nonconforming structures. Modifications, replacement or expansions, shall conform to the standards of this Ordinance.