Save the Night | Be the Solution, Stop Light Pollution
Save the Night | Be the Solution, Stop Light Pollution
Unless falling within an exception or general exemption, outdoor lighting must be fully shielded if the lumen output is more than 600 lumens (Section 102-4A).
Fully shielded means that all light shines below the horizontal plane where the light is emitted and no light is emitted upwards, as shown in this drawing (Section 102-3). As the drawing illustrates, that means no portion of the bulb is visible, either through openings on the side or top or below the fixture.
Click here for examples.
Exceptions:
Unless falling within an exception or general exemption, the color temperature of outdoor lighting must be 2700K or less (Section 102-4B).
Exceptions
Not counting temporary holiday lighting and any lighting that falls within a general exemption, the total lumens allowed for fixtures that aren't fully shielded (all properties) is 5,000 lumens multiplied by the number of acres, OR 2,000 lumens, whichever is greater. This means you are allowed at least 2,000 lumens in unshielded lighting regardless of the size of your property. See Sections 102-4C(2) and 102-7.
Examples
Not counting temporary holiday lighting, nonresidential sports lighting, and any lighting that falls within a general exemption, the total lumens per site is capped as follows:
Residential: 20,000 lumens per acre
Nonresidential: 40,000 lumens per acre (additional lumens allowed for canopies at gas stations and banks)
Here's a handy online calculator for that:
https://www.thecalculatorsite.com/conversions/common/square-feet-acres.php
Outdoor lighting on residential properties must be turned off between 11pm and 6am.
Exceptions:
See Sections 102-4D and 102-7.
Outdoor lighting on nonresidential properties must be turned off within one hour after closing and may not be turned on until one hour prior to opening.
Exceptions:
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