Section 2.21 Lighting
A. Intent
1. To create an attractive lighting system to enhance visibility and safety, while minimizing glare and contrast.
1. To create an attractive lighting system to enhance visibility and safety, while minimizing glare, light pollution and contrast and maximizing energy conservation.
2. To encourage exterior lighting that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and complimentary to the architectural style of buildings.
B. General Provisions.
1. Evaluation of Exterior Lighting. Exterior lighting shall be evaluated in the development review process to ensure that the functional and security needs of the project are met in a way that does not adversely affect the adjacent properties or neighborhood. The degree to which exterior night lighting affects a property owner or neighborhood will be examined considering the light source, level of illumination, hours of illumination, and need for illumination in relation to the effects of the lighting on the adjacent property owners and the neighborhood.
1. Exterior lighting shall be evaluated in the development review process to ensure that the functional and security needs of the project are met in a way that does not adversely affect the adjacent properties, the neighborhood, driving safety or the night sky. The degree to which exterior night lighting affects a property owner, neighborhood or night sky will be examined considering the light source, level of illumination, hours of illumination, and need for illumination in relation to the effects of the lighting on the adjacent property owners and the neighborhood and the night sky.
2. Light Style. The style of lights shall be consistent with the style and character of architecture proposed on the site. Light fixtures that illuminate signage shall be compatible with the architecture of the building on which they are placed.
2. Light Style. The style of lights shall be consistent with the style and character of architecture proposed on the site. Light fixtures that illuminate signage shall be compatible with the architecture of the building on which they are placed, and these signs must comply with Section 6 provisions of the county's zoning regulations regarding signs.
3. Concealed Light Source. Light sources shall be concealed or shielded to the maximum extent feasible to minimize the potential for glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent property and away from the vision of passing motorists. All lights shall be directed downward and the light source shall be equipped with "cut-off" devices so that it will not be visible from any adjacent property and to ensure that ambient skyward light is eliminated. Accent and flagpole lighting shall be permitted to be directed upward as long as the light source is shielded and not visible from any adjacent property. Light fixtures installed under canopies, awnings, overhangs and the like shall be fully recessed.
3. Concealed Light Source. Light sources shall be concealed or shielded to the maximum extent feasible to minimize glare on adjacent property, into the night sky and away from the vision of passing motorists. All lights shall be directed downward and the light source shall be equipped with "cut-off" devices so that it will not be visible from any adjacent property and to ensure that ambient skyward light is eliminated. Accent and flagpole lighting shall be permitted to be directed upward as long as the light source is shielded and not visible from any adjacent property. Light fixtures installed under canopies, awnings, overhangs and the like shall be fully recessed.
4. Hours of Lighting Operation. All parking lot lighting fixtures and exterior building lights, except those required for security purposes, shall be extinguished within one (1) hour after the end of business hours and remain extinguished until one (1) hour prior to the beginning of business hours. If a portion of a parking lot is used after dark, only that portion shall be lighted.
5. Height Standards for Lighting.
a. Residential Zoning Districts. Light fixtures shall be mounted on concrete, fiberglass or painted metal poles no higher than sixteen (16) feet from the ground. Lighting mounted on a building or structure shall not exceed the height of the building or structure. Bollard-type lighting fixtures shall be between three (3) and four (4) feet high.
b. Non-Residential Zoning Districts. Light fixtures shall be mounted on concrete, fiberglass or painted metal poles no higher than twenty-five (25) feet from the ground, unless a greater height, not to exceed the maximum building height in the applicable zone district, is approved by the Planning Commission or Board of Trustees/City Council through a development application review process. Lighting mounted on a building or structure shall not exceed the height of the building or structure. Bollard-type lighting fixtures shall be between three (3) and four (4) feet high.
Eliminate 5, lighting height requirements, since these restrictions may actually increase glare rather than reduce it ( see supporting documents at this link).
6. Exemption for Outdoor Recreational Uses. Because of their limited hours of operation and their unique requirements for nighttime visibility, ball diamonds, playing fields, tennis courts, and other similar outdoor recreational uses (both public and private, unless otherwise restricted by the Board of Trustees/City Council) shall be exempt from the general provisions of this section. However, exterior lighting for such uses shall be extinguished no later than 11:00 p.m.
Eliminate 6, exemption for outdoor recreational sites. Full cutoff lighting fixtures are available for these uses ( see supporting documents at this link).
Recommended additions to the model code:
5. In the darkest Lighting Zone (E1), there is the further restriction that all exterior lighting, no matter the output, must be low pressure sodium and must be shielded in such a way that direct light from them shall not shine on other properties. The E1 zones consist of the areas within a three mile radius centered on the University of Wyoming research observatories located at Red Buttes and atop Mount Jelm.
6. In residential Lighting Zones (E1R), there is the further restriction that all high-intensity exterior lighting must be shielded and aimed in such a way that direct light from them shall not shine on other properties.
The E1R zones consists of all residential areas with a housing density of more than one unit per five acres of land.
High intensity light sources are high and low-pressure sodium vapor lamps, mercury vapor lamps, metal halide, and other high-intensity discharge tube lamps, and floodlights, spotlights, and other luminaires using reflectors and/or lenses to focus light into directional beams.
7. Luminaires which illuminate the walls of any building shall be aimed and shielded so that the direct light is confined to the surface of the walls. Such luminaires shall be mounted atop or above the wall and must be pointed downward at the walls.
8. The use of Low Pressure Sodium lighting is encouraged for general outdoor illumination in all zones. Motion sensor activated lights are also encouraged in place of dusk to dawn or timer-controlled lights.