§ 40. Lighting and glare standards.

40.1

Purpose.

A.

Standards for controlling lighting and glare are set forth to reduce the annoyance and inconvenience to property owners and traffic hazards to motorists. These standards are intended to allow reasonable enjoyment of adjacent and nearby property by their owners and occupants while requiring adequate levels of lighting of parking areas. Lighting installed by a governmental entity such as the state, county or City of Terrell for public health, safety and welfare or for recreational facilities is exempt from this section.

B.

It is the purpose of this ordinance to preserve, protect, and enhance the lawful nighttime use and enjoyment of any and all property; reduce problems created by improperly designed and installed outdoor lighting; and minimize adverse effects on residents, vehicle operators and pedestrians, the natural environment, and astronomical observations.

C.

It is the intent of this ordinance to encourage "good neighbor" lighting practices and systems that attempt to minimize light trespass and glare from shining onto abutting properties or into street traffic.

D.

See the City of Terrell Subdivision Regulations for other applicable lighting requirements.

40.2

Definitions. For the purposes of this ordinance, terms used shall be defined as follows:

A.

Direct light. Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens, of a luminary.

B.

Full cutoff (FCO). Describes a luminaire light distribution where 100 candela per 1,000 lamp lumens (ten percent) may emit at all vertical angles beginning at 80 degrees up from nadir to less than 90 degrees, and zero candela per 1,000 lamp lumens is allowed at 90 degrees (horizontal plane) and all angles above. This applies to all horizontal angles around the luminaire. A full cutoff luminaire is also fully shielded (see figure 40-1).

C.

Foot-candles. A unit of light measurement equal to one lumen per square foot.

D.

Fully shielded. 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 plane as determined by photometric test or certified by the manufacturer. A fully shielded fixture is not necessarily full cutoff.

E.

Glare. a luminance produced by bright sources in the field-of-view superimposed on the image in the eye reducing contrast and hence visibility.

F.

Grandfathered luminaries. Luminaries that were in place at the time this Code became effective and did not conform to this Code but were otherwise legal. When an ordinance "grandfathers" a luminary, it means that such already-existing outdoor lighting does not need to be changed unless the fixture or bulb are being upgraded or replaced (replacing nonconforming fixtures with matching fixtures shall be allowed if under 50 percent of the fixtures on site are being replaced).

G.

Illuminance. The quantity of light arriving at a surface measured in lux or foot-candles.

H.

Intermittent lighting. Security luminaries that do not remain on for an extended period of time (typically less than five minute intervals).

I.

Lumen. A unit of luminous flux. One foot-candles is one lumen per square foot. For the purpose of this regulation, the lumen-output values shall be the initial lumen output ratings of a lamp. The lumen rating associated with a given lamp is generally indicated on its packaging or may be obtained from the manufacturer.

J.

Luminary. A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power supply.

K.

Nadir. The direction pointing vertically down from the lowest light emitting part of the luminaire (see figure 40-1 for an example).

L.

Outdoor lighting. Night-time illumination of an outside area or object by any manmade device that is located outdoors and produces light.

M.

Temporary outdoor lighting. Lighting for a specific unusual purpose of an outside area or object by any manmade device that produces light for a period of less than seven days, with at least 30 days passing before being used again.

N.

Trespass lighting. Light emitted by a luminary which falls outside the boundaries of the property on which the luminary is sited.

40.3

Nonresidential site lighting and glare standards.

A.

Any use shall be operated so as not to produce obnoxious and intense glare or direct illumination across the bounding property line from a visible source of illumination of such intensity as to create a nuisance or detract from the use or enjoyment of adjacent property. All outside lights shall be made up of a light source and reflector so selected that acting together, the light beam is controlled and not directed across any bounding property line above a height of three feet. The allowable maximum intensity measured at the property line of a residential use in a residential district shall be 0.25 foot candles. Light poles shall be placed on the site a setback equal to its height from all adjacent residential property.

B.

All public and private outdoor lighting installed in the City of Terrell shall be in conformance with the requirements established herein:

1.

Intensity and glare.

a.

Illumination shall not exceed an average of one foot candle at ground level and shall distribute not more than 0.25 foot candles of light upon any adjacent residentially zoned area.

b.

Any luminary that is aimed, directed, or focused such as to cause direct light from the luminary to be directed toward residential buildings on adjacent or nearby land, or to create glare perceptible to persons operating motor vehicles on public ways is prohibited. Such luminary shall be redirected or its light output controlled as necessary to eliminate such conditions.

c.

To the extent allowed by federal and state law this ordinance limits luminaries used for public-roadway illumination to a maximum height of 25 feet, the location of which may be positioned at that height up to the edge of any bordering property.

d.

All temporary emergency lighting needed by the police or fire departments or other emergency services, as well as all vehicular luminaries, shall be exempt from the requirements of this article.

e.

The use of temporary lights for construction shall be approved by the building official on a case by case basis if the use does not create a nuisance to adjacent residential properties, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. or create a hazard for aircraft, vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Station/Store Component	Lighting Level
Approach	2.0 fc
Driveway	2.0 fc
Pump island	10.0 fc
Building façade	3.0 fc
Service areas	3.0 fc
Landscape highlights	2.0 fc

 

2.

Height.

a.

The maximum height for poles with lights is 35 feet.

b.

Special lighting or lighting higher than 35 feet may be approved as specifically noted on the applicable required plan (i.e., building permit plan, concept plan, site plan).

3.

Allowable lighting uses and fixtures.

a.

Lighting may be used to emphasize features of architectural or historical significance, and to light roads, parking areas, walkways, bikeways, pathways, parks and gardens. It may be used for advertising or display to promote products or services, or to call attention to commercial premises by means of area lighting and signs.

b.

Lighting shall follow the outline of figure 40-3, which illustrates the types of acceptable outdoor lighting that are approved under this ordinance. No lighting installed on any commercial property shall be under the "unacceptable fixture" column in figure 40-3. Instead, all commercial lighting shall follow lighting styles under the "acceptable fixture" column.

c.

Nonconforming lighting. When an ordinance "grandfathers" a luminary, it means that such already-existing nonconforming outdoor lighting does not need to be changed unless the fixture or bulb are being upgraded or replaced.

i.

Replacing nonconforming fixtures with matching fixtures shall be allowed if fewer than 50 percent of the fixtures on site are being replaced.

ii.

Any structure undergoing major renovations in excess of 50 percent of the appraised value shall upgrade all existing outdoor lighting to conform to this ordinance.

iii.

All nonconforming bulbs shall be replaced with conforming bulbs (luminaires).

4.

Service station/convenience store lighting.

a.

Outdoor sales and gas stations canopies must utilize canopy lights that are fully recessed into the canopy or are fully shielded by the canopy.

b.

The following average maintained illuminance levels for service stations must not be exceeded:

Table 40-1
Station/Store Component	Lighting Level
Approach	2.0 fc
Driveway	2.0 fc
Pump Island	10.0 fc
Building facade	3.0 fc
Service Areas	3.0 fc
Landscape Highlights	2.0 fc

 

5.

Outdoor advertising signs.

a.

Lighting fixtures used to illuminate an outdoor advertising sign shall conform to the requirements specified in the city's most current sign regulations.

b.

Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. Dark backgrounds with light lettering or symbols are preferred.

6.

Prohibited or restricted lighting.

a.

Laser source lighting. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light, such as used for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal is prohibited unless authorized by the director with a temporary use permit as a special event such as a laser light show.

b.

Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited, except that city council may by ordinance authorize searchlights for special events.

40.4

Luminaires.

A.

Light sources shall be of a down-light type, indirect, diffused, or shielded type luminaires installed and maintained so as to reduce glare effect and consequent interference with use of adjacent properties and boundary streets. Bare bulbs above 75 watts and strings of lamps are prohibited, except for temporary lighting as provided in [subsection] 40.5 below.

B.

For lighting horizontal tasks such as roadways, sidewalks, entrances and parking area, fixtures shall meet "full cutoff" criteria (no light output emitted above 90 degrees at any lateral angle around the fixture).

C.

NEMA-head fixtures, a.k.a. "barn lights" or "dusk-to-dawn lights," shall not be permitted on any commercial property unless fitted with a city approved reflector to render them full cutoff.

D.

"Park style" or "period style" fixtures shall not be permitted on any commercial property (except in the CBD district or when approved by the city council as part of a zoning application) unless fitted with a city approved reflector to render them full cutoff.

E.

Wall pack fixtures shall not be permitted on any commercial property unless fitted with a city approved reflector to render them full cutoff.

F.

All trespass lighting for nonresidential applications shall not exceed two and one-half foot-candles measured at the property line unless the adjacent property is residential which shall then not exceed .25 foot-candles at the property line.

G.

Floodlight fixtures must be aimed so as to prevent direct radiation of light into the open sky at any angle above the horizontal plane as shown in exhibit 2 and verified using the method shown in exhibit 3.

H.

All applications for a commercial building permit shall include an outdoor lighting plan which shall comply with the standards as listed herein. All outdoor lighting on commercial property shall be full cutoff and the documentation to prove full cutoff status of outdoor lighting must be provided to the city from the manufacturer or firm handling the installation of said outdoor lighting.

Figure 40-1. The full cutoff (FCO) luminaire on any commercial property (beginning at 80 degrees up from nadir to less than 90 degrees) may emit up to 100 candela per 1,000 lamp lumens (ten percent) at all vertical angles. This applies to all horizontal angles around the luminaire. This information can be provided on the packaging of the outdoor light or from the manufacturer as proof of compliance.

Figure 40-2. For spotlights and floodlights mounted overhead and used for area lighting, the axis of illumination shall be adjusted to an angle not more than 20 degrees from the vertical line between the fixture and the ground.

Figure 40-3

40.5

Residential lighting and glare standards.

A.

Residential lighting for security and night recreation use is permitted in all residential districts provided the following requirements are met:

1.

Direct lighting over ten feet in height is shielded from adjacent property.

2.

No light source shall exceed 35 feet in height. Street lights and other traffic safety lighting are exempt from this standard.

3.

Lighting shall not directly shine on adjacent dwellings. All residential trespass lighting shall not exceed .25 foot-candles at the property line, with the exception of intermittent lighting.

4.

Intermittent lighting shall be of the "motion sensor" type that stays on for a period of time not to exceed five minutes and has a sensitivity setting that allows the luminary to be activated only when motion is detected on the site.

40.6

Special or holiday lighting—Low wattage.

A.

Bare bulbs or strings of lamps are prohibited, except during holidays special lighting shall be permitted for a maximum time period of 45 calendar days for each holiday used.