Section 27-2320 Lighting

1. Findings, Purpose, and Intent.

A. Adequate and effective lighting of streets, buildings, parking lots and other facilities is important for comfort, safety and commerce. Wasteful, inefficient, or inappropriate lighting, however, is a significant environmental problem. Excessive lighting wastes energy; intrudes upon neighboring properties; is a nuisance to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists on adjacent roadways; disturbs wildlife habitats; impairs human experience of the night sky; and negatively affects the quality of life of our communities.

B. Through these regulations, the Township wishes to manage outdoor lighting so that its safety, security and economic benefits are maintained while minimizing dangerous glare, energy waste, light pollution and light trespass.

C. The following requirements for outdoor lighting installations promote public safety and welfare during the nighttime while minimizing the adverse effects of glare and light trespass often associated with outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting should be used only where needed; used only when needed; and only that type of lighting which is necessary and proper should be used. This Ordinance is intended to implement these principles of good lighting design by regulating the shielding, height, illumination levels, and other aspects of outdoor lighting so that Township residents may continue to enjoy the highest quality of life.

2. Definitions

CANDELA - The SI unit of luminous intensity. One candela is one lumen per steradian (lm/sr).

CANDLEPOWER - Luminous intensity expressed in candelas.

CUTOFF ANGLE (of a luminaire) - The angle, measured up from nadir, between the vertical axis and the first line of sight at which the bare source is not visible.

DIRECT LIGHT - Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector or reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens, of a luminaire.

FIXTURE - The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps and can include all or some of the following parts:

A. A housing

B. A mounting bracket or pole socket

C. A lamp holder

D. A ballast

E. A reflector or mirror, and/or

F. A refractor or lens.

FLOOD OR SPOT LIGHT - Any light fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector or a refractor to concentrate the light output into a directed beam in a particular direction.

FOOTCANDLE - A unit of illuminance. One footcandle is one lumen per square foot (lm/ft2).

FULLY SHIELDED LIGHTS - Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed in such a manner that a1llight emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing element or indirectly by reflection or refraction, is projected below the horizontal plane through the fixture's lowest light- emitting part as certified by a photometric test report.

GLARE - The sensation produced by luminances within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance or visibility.

A. BLINDING GLARE. Glare that is so intense that for an appreciable length of time after it has been removed, no object can be seen.

B. DIRECT GLARE. Glare resulting from high luminances or insufficiently shielded light sources in the field of view.

C. DISABILITY GLARE. The effect of stray light in the eye whereby visibility and visual performance are reduced.

D. DISCOMFORT GLARE. Glare that produces discomfort. It does not necessarily interfere with visual performance or visibility.

E. REFLECTED GLARE. Glare resulting from reflections of high luminances in polished or glossy surfaces in the field of view.

HEIGHT OF LUMINAIRE - The height of a luminaire shall be the vertical distance from the ground directly below the centerline of the luminaire to the lowest direct-light-emitting part of the luminaire.

ILLUMINANCE - The quantity of light measured in footcandles or lux.

ILLUMINATION - An alternative term for illuminance. Commonly used in a qualitative or general sense to designate the act of illumining or the state of being illuminated.

INDIRECT LIGHT - Direct light that has been reflected or has scattered off of other surfaces.

LAMP - The component of a luminaire that produces light. A generic term for a man-made source of light, i.e., a light bulb.

LIGHT - Radiant energy that is capable of exciting the retina and producing a visual sensation. The visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum extends from about 380 to 770 nanometers.

LIGHT LOSS FACTOR (LLF) - The ratio of illuminance for a given area to the value that would occur if lamps operated at their initial rated lumen output and if no system variation or deprecation had occurred. .

LIGHT TRESPASS - The shining of light produced by a 1uminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located.

LUMEN - A standard unit of luminous flux. Photometrically, it is the luminous flux emitted within a unit solid angle (one steradian) by a point source having a uniform luminous intensity of one candela. One footcandle is one lumen per square foot. For the purposes of this Ordinance, the lumen-output values shall be the initial lumen output ratings of a lamp, as specified by the manufacturer of the lamp.

LUMINAIRE - A complete lighting unit consisting of one or more lamps together with the fixture; other parts designed to control the light distribution; and other mechanical and electrical components.

LUMINAIRE, CUTOFF - A luminaire whose light distribution at or above an angle of 90: above nadir does not numerically exceed 25 candela per 1000 lamp lumens (2.5%), and does not numerically exceed 100 candela per 1000 lamp lumens (10%) at or above a vertical angle 80: above nadir. This applies to all lateral angles around the luminaire.

LUMINAIRE, FULL CUTOFF A luminaire whose light distribution at or above an angle of 900: above nadir has zero candela intensity and does not numerically exceed 100 candela per 100 lamp lumens (10%) at or above a vertical angle 80: above nadir. This applies to all lateral angles around the luminaire.

LUMINANCE - The physical and measurable quantity corresponding to the brightness of a surface in a specific area from which light is emitted or reflected (e.g. a lamp, luminaire, reflecting material). Can be measured in candelas per square meter (Cd/m2) or luxes.

LUMINOUS FLUX (radiant flux or power) - The time rate of flow of radiant energy evaluated in terms of a standardized visual response.

Luminous Intensity - The luminous flux per unit solid angle in the direction in question. May be expressed in candelas or lumens per steradian (lm/sr).

LUX - The standard unit of illuminance. One lux is one lumen per square meter (lm/m2).

NIGHTTIME - The hours between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight. Civil twilight ends in the evening when the center of the sun's disk is 6 degrees below the horizon, and begins in the morning when the center of the sun's disk is 6 degrees below the horizon.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING - The nighttime illumination of an outside area or object by any man-made device that produces light by any means.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING, TEMPORARY - Outdoor lighting that is used for a period of less than seven (7) days, with at least 180 days passing before being used again or used annually for a period of thirty (30) days or less.

STERADIAN, sr (unit of solid angle) - The solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere by an area on the surface of the sphere equal to the square of the sphere radius.

3. Applicability. The requirements of this Section shall apply to all outdoor lighting installations as follows:

A. Outdoor lighting installations that are designed, constructed, erected, or otherwise placed into operation after the effective date of this Section.

B. Alterations, rehabilitations, or renovations to existing outdoor lighting installations, which are commenced with after the effective date of this Section, and which involve the complete replacement of at least fifty (50) percent of an existing lighting system with a new lighting system.

C. Non-Applicability. The requirements of this Section shall not apply to outdoor lighting installations operating before the effective date of this Section, except for any lighting installation that creates a safety hazard as deemed by the Township. Routine maintenance of these pre-existing outdoor lighting installations shall not have to comply with the requirements of this Section. Routine maintenance includes the following:

(1) Replacement of lamps that are burned-out or inoperative.

(2) Replacement/repair of damaged or inoperative luminaire components such as ballasts, igniters, lenses, reflectors, refractors, sockets, or photocell controls.

D. Exemptions. The requirements of this Section shall not apply in the following circumstances:

(1) Where superseded by State or Federal law.

(2) Temporary emergency lighting used by police, fire, emergency medical services, public works, or other public safety services.

(3) Hazard/Warning lights required by State or Federal regulations, except that all luminaries used must be red and must be shown to be as close as possible to the minimum lumen output required for that specific task.

4. Adoptions by Reference

A. Adoption. Plumstead Township hereby adopts, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, design, layout, installation, and use of outdoor lighting, the specifications laid out in the "IESNA Lighting Handbook" ninth edition published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America ("IESNA") and hereby incorporates such recommended practices as fully as if set forth at length herein, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended. From the date on which this Section shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling in the design, construction, and operation of all outdoor lighting within Plumstead Township.

B. Amendments. The recomn1ended practices of the Lighting Handbook hereby adopted are amended as follows:

(1). All the recommendations made in the Lighting Handbook shall be considered mandatory requirements. For the purposes of this Ordinance the words "should" "may" "can" etc shall be read as

"shall" or "must'" the words "recommend" or "recommendation, shall be read as "require" or "requirement"; the phrase "it is recommended" shall be read as "it is required"; the phrase "it is not recommended" shall be read as "it is prohibited".

(2) Future amendments to the recommended practices of the Lighting Handbook shall become a part of this Ordinance without further action of the Township.

(3). Where the Lighting Handbook provides for alternatives, this Ordinance requires that the safest alternative, as determined by the Township, be used.

C. General Design Requirements. The design calculations for outdoor lighting installations shall be in accordance with the Lighting Handbook. This includes, but is not limited to, technical definitions, terminology, calculation methods and procedures, photometric classifications, and photometric testing procedures. Illuminance selection should be based on the usage of the area to be illuminated, the level of activity, and nighttime security requirements.

D. Illumination Levels. Illumination shall have intensities and uniformity ratios in accordance with the current recommended practices of IESNA as contained in the Lighting Handbook.

5. General Regulations

A. All outdoor lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted, and maintained so as not to present a hazard to drivers or pedestrians by impairing their ability to safely traverse, (i.e., blinding or disabling glare), and so as not to create a nuisance by projecting or reflecting objectionable light onto a neighboring use or property.

B. Floodlights and spotlights; when permitted, shall be installed and/or aimed so that they do not project their output at neighboring residences, adjacent uses, directly skyward, or onto a roadway.

C. Except as otherwise permitted in this Section, all lighting fixtures shall meet IESNA full cutoff criteria. No lighting shall be permitted that results in glare beyond the boundaries of the property upon which the luminaire is located.

D. Except as otherwise permitted in this Section, fixtures meeting IESNA full cutoff criteria shall not be mounted in excess of twenty (20) feet above finished grade. Fixtures not meeting IESNA "full cutoff' criteria shall not be mounted in excess of sixteen (16)' feet above grade.

E. Fixtures shall be of a type and design appropriate to the lighting application and aesthetically acceptable to the Township. The use of searchlights, flashing strobe lights, and laser lights is prohibited.

F. Unless tile Board of Supervisors specifically approves all-night lighting, (e.g., for safety or security), all outdoor lighting shall be controlled by automatic switching devices such as time clocks or combination motion detectors and photocells, to permit extinguishing lighting between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

G. Where all-night safety or security lighting is to be provided, the lighting intensity levels shall not exceed 25% of the levels normally permitted by this Ordinance for the use. All-night safety or security lighting includes the following:

(1) Lighting Essential For The Deterrence Of Break-Ins. This type of lighting is limited to exterior door locations

(2) Lighting Controlled By Motion Sensors/Detectors. This type of lighting is to be used to deter vandalism and theft and shall be placed in locations where the sensors will not be tripped on a reoccurring basis and shall be installed and/or aimed so that they do not project their output at neighboring residences, adjacent uses, directly skyward or onto a roadway.

(3) Lighting used in conjunction with surveillance cameras. This type of lighting is limited to illuminating automatic teller machines, deposit boxes, building entrances, and parking lot/driveway entrances. Fixtures used for this type of lighting shall be designed, fitted, and aimed so as not to project their output beyond the objects intended to be illuminated.

H. Vegetation screens shall not be employed to serve as the primary means for controlling glare. Rather glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as cutoff fixtures, shields and baffles, and appropriate application of fixture mounting height, wattage, aiming angle and fixture placement.

I. Electrical feeds for lighting standards shall be run lU1derground.

J. Lighting standards to the rear of the parking spaces shall be placed a minimum of five (5) feet outside paved areas; on concrete pedestals at least thirty (30) inches above the pavement; or suitably protected by other means approved by the Township.

K. Fixtures and ancillary equipment shall be maintained so as always to meet the requirements of this Section.

6. Requirements for Outdoor Area and Roadway Lighting Installations

A. This subsection applies to the following:

(1) All outdoor lighting installations employed for nighttime area illumination of parking lots, car sales lots, yards, roadways, streets, driveways, walkways, bikeways, cartways, entryways, and similar areas or lots; and

(2) All outdoor lighting installations on any property within the Township except any lot developed with one single-family dwelling or being used as a farm.

B. Use of Full Cutoff Luminaires Required. Al1 luminaires employed in outdoor area and roadway lighting installations shall be the full-cutoff luminaire type.

(1) The candlepower distribution classification of the luminaire as a full-cutoff type shall be in accordance with the Lighting Handbook. The manufacturer of the luminaire shall provide certification of the full-cutoff classification based on photometric testing performed in accordance with the Lighting Handbook and the applicable testing procedures referenced therein. The requirement for the use of cutoff luminaire types shall include, but is not limited to the following outdoor area and roadway lighting configurations:

(a) Pole-mounted luminaires.

(b) Luminaires mounted on the exterior of buildings and structures.

(c) Luminaires mounted on or within exterior canopies of buildings and structures.

(d) Pedestal- or bollard-mounted luminaires.

(2). Full cutoff luminaires shall be mounted plumb and level in accordance with the intended application of their design. For the purposes of this requirement, the photometric nadir of the luminaire (zero degree vertical angle of the candlepower distribution) shall be oriented plumb and the vertical angle of 90 degrees above nadir (horizontal) shall be oriented level. Full-cutoff luminaires shall not be installed in a canted or tilted position which permits candlepower distribution above the horizontal.

(3) Luminaires which do not meet the strict definition for full-cutoff luminaires, yet employ advanced or alternative technology which causes the photometric performance to approach that of full-cutoff luminaires, may be approved by the Township on a case-by-case basis. Such luminaires include, but are not limited to, period-style luminaires with refractive globes and internal cutoff reflectors. At a minimum, all period style decorative luminaires, when their use is approved by the Township for a specific application, shall be cutoff luminaires.

C. Maximum Illuminance at Property Line.

(1) The following Table lists the maximum maintained illuminance levels permitted at the property line(s) during the nighttime as produced by the sum of all outdoor area lighting installations on the site/property.

Property line adjoins a public roadway or public right-of-way

0.5

0.2

0.1

5.4

2.2

1.1

Outdoor area lighting installation is located on said property and property line adjoins a non-residential property

Outdoor area lighting installation is located on said property and property line adjoins a residential property

(2) Exceptions to the requirements listed in Table 27-2320.6.C(1):

(a) Outdoor roadway lighting installations intended for the nighttime illumination of public roadways, streets, highways, alleys, cartways, and the like.

(b) Designated vehicular, cyclist, and pedestrian entries/exits between properties and public roadways, streets, highways, alleys, cartways, and the like; provided that the excepted area of illumination (maintained illuminance levels at grade higher then permitted in Table 27-2320.6.C(1))) is limited to the said property and the adjoining pavement and right-of-way of public roadways, streets, highways, alleys, cartways, and the like. The excepted area of illumination shall not extend beyond fifty (50) feet from the centerline of the designated entry/exit in any direction along the property line(s) of the said property.

D. Illumination Under Outdoor Canopies. All outdoor lighting installations which illuminate the area under outdoor canopies shall comply with the requirements of this Subsection. All such canopy lighting shall be accomplished using flat-lens full-cutoff fixtures aimed straight down and shielded in such a manner that the lowest opaque edge of the fixture shall be level with or below the light source. Canopies themselves may not be illuminated, however, with the exception of the portion which is classified as a sign. Outdoor canopies include, but are not limited to the following applications.

(1) Fuel island canopies associated with service stations and convenience stores.

(2) Exterior canopies above storefronts in shopping centers and malls.

(3) Exterior canopies above driveways and building entrances.

(4) Pavilions and gazebos.

F. Design Submittal and Approval Requirements. The design for all outdoor area and roadway lighting installations shall be submitted for review and approval by the Township. Such a lighting plan shall conform with the requirements of the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for lighting plans.

7. Outdoor Sports and Recreational Lighting - The outdoor lighting of sports and recreational facilities, in conjunction with Uses C7 - Municipal Uses and Buildings, Dl - Public Recreational Facility, and D2 - Commercial Recreational Facility is a11owed by special exception in. the R-5, C-2, and C-.3 Zoning Districts. The outdoor lighting of sports and recreational facilities in conjunction with other Uses or in other Zoning Districts is strictly prohibited. These regulations apply to all sports and recreational facilities including, but not limited to, ballfields, ballparks, stadiums, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, recreation fields, swimming pools, skating rinks, golf driving ranges, golf courses, firearm shooting facilities, and the like. Where permitted, the outdoor lighting of sports and recreational facilities shall comply with the following requirements:

A. The requirements of this subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations employed for nighttime area illumination of sports and recreational facilities. All sports and recreational facilities shall be illuminated with the following two systems.

(1) Performance Area Lighting. This is the lighting directed upon the field, court, rink, etc. to illuminate the sports/recreational activity taking place upon/within that facility. The maximum permitted post height for the Performance Area Lighting is sixty (60) feet. Post height shall be limited to minimum height necessary to meet the Performance Area Lighting needs of that specific sports/recreational use as determined by the Township.

(2) General Area Lighting. This is a low level lighting system used to facilitate pedestrian circulation, patrons leaving the facility, cleanup, nighttime maintenance, etc. General Area Lighting shall meet all of the requirements for Outdoor Area and Roadway Lighting Installations listed above in subsection (6)

B Use of Full-Cutoff Luminaires Required. All luminaires employed in outdoor sports and recreational lighting installations shall be the full-cutoff luminaire type unless the Performance Area Lighting needs of the sports/recreational use cannot be meet through the use of full-cutoff luminaries, as determined by tile Township.

C. Use of Glare Shields Required For Non-Cutoff Luminaire Types. Where non-cutoff luminaires such as floodlights must be used to meet the lighting design objectives for the Performance Area Lighting, the luminaires shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barndoors, and other similar shielding accessories as required to meet the following criteria:

(1) Luminaires shall be fully shielded.

(2) To the extent practicable, the candlepower distribution from all lighting installations shall be further cut off at angles below the horizontal (level) to restrict direct illumination to within the Performance Area being illuminated for sports and recreation purposes.

(3) No direct illumination shall project off the property.

D. Maximum Maintained Illuminance Levels. The maximum maintained illuminance levels permitted at the property line(s) during the nighttime, produced by the sum of all outdoor sports and recreation lighting installations on a lot, shall meet the requirements of Table 23l9.F .4.

E. Design Submittal and Approval Requirements. The design for all outdoor sports and recreation lighting installations shall be submitted for review and approval by the Township. The submission shall include a visual-impact plan that demonstrates appropriate steps have been taken to prevent or mitigate glare on site, off site, as viewed by drivers on adjacent streets, and so as to retain the intended character of the general vicinity of the site. This submission may also require the inclusion of initial vertical footcandle values at specific off-site venues, e.g., bedroom windows of adjacent residential uses.

F. All outdoor sports and recreation lighting shall be extinguished between 9:00 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights and between 11 :00 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and nights preceding Federal Holidays. In addition, the Performance Area Lighting shall be turned off no more than thirty (30) minutes after the end of the event or use of the sports/recreational facility.

G. Golf driving ranges, golf courses, and firearm shooting facilities shall not be artificially lit and shall not be permitted to operate in the Township during the nighttime hours.

8. Requirements for Outdoor Sign Lighting, Outdoor Lighting of Facades of Buildings and Structures, and Outdoor Landscape Lighting.

A. Applicability of Requirements. The requirements oftI1is subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations employed for nighttime illumination of signs, billboards, tile facades of buildings and structures, fountains, trees, shrubs, vegetation, and the like.

B. Use of Full Cutoff Luminaires Required. All luminaires employed in outdoor lighting of signs, facades and landscape shall be of the full-cutoff luminaire type unless the lighting needs of signs, facades or landscaping cannot be met through the use of full-cutoff luminaires, as determined by the Township.

C. Use of Glare Shields Required for Non-cutoff Luminaire Types. Where non-cutoff luminaires such as floodlights are used to meet the lighting design objectives for outdoor sign, billboard, fagade and/or landscape lighting, the luminaires shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors and other similar shielding accessories as required to ensure that the candlepower distribution from all lighting installations shall be cut off at all angles beyond those required to restrict direct illumination to within the perimeter of the sign or billboard being illuminated.

D. Externally illuminated signs, billboards, and facades shall be lighted by fixtures mounted at the top of the sign and aimed downward.

E. Fixtures used for architectura1lighting, e.g., facade, fountain, feature and landscape lighting, shall be designed, fitted and aimed so as not to project their output beyond the objects intended to be illuminated.

F. All outdoor lighting falling under the requirements of this Subsection shall be extinguished between 11 :00 p.m. and 7 a.m. This restriction does not apply to non-residential uses that are open between the hours of 11 :00 p.m. and 7 a.m., in which case the lighting must be extinguished when the non-residential use is closed.

9. Requirements for Residential and Farm Outdoor Lighting

A. Applicability of Requirements. The requirements of this subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations located on residential lots developed with a single family dwelling, a two family dwelling, or a farm. Luminaires with an aggregate rated output of a standard 40-watt incandescent lamp (i.e., 500 lumens), are exempt from the requirements of this Subsection.

B. Use of Glare Shields Required For Non-Cutoff Luminaire Types. All non- cutoff luminaires, such as floodlights shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barndoors, and other similar shielding accessories as required to meet the following criteria:

(1) For area lighting applications, the candlepower distribution from all lighting installations shall be cut off at and above the horizontal (level).

(2) For all other applications, the candlepower distribution from all lighting installations shall be cut off at all angles beyond those required to restrict direct illumination to within the area or surface being illuminated.

10. Temporary Outdoor Lighting

1. Applicability of Requirements. The requirements of this subsection apply to all outdoor lighting installations which are employed on a temporary basis not exceeding thirty (30) days in duration. Temporary lighting installations include, but are not limited to, seasonal or holiday displays, carnivals, community fairs, traveling circuses, sales/promotional displays, and the like.

2. Use of Glare Shields Required For Non-Cutoff Luminaire Types. All non- cutoff luminaires such as floodlights shall be equipped with glare shields, visors, barn doors, and other similar shielding accessories as required to meet the following criteria:

(1) The candlepower distribution from all lighting installations shall be cut off at all angles beyond those required to restrict direct illumination to within the perimeter of the area, surface, object, or feature being illuminated.

11. Maximum Permitted Illumination.

A. Total outdoor light output for all uses other than B 1 - Single Family Detached Dwellings, B4 - Two Family Dwellings, or Al - General Farming shall not exceed the Lumens/Acre set forth in Table 27-2320.11.B. The values in this table are the upper limits. Property owner shall only install those fixtures necessary to meet the minimum outdoor lighting needs of the use. Performance Area Lighting systems discussed under Outdoor Sports & Recreation Lighting is excluded from this lumen/acre cap requirement.

B. Table 27-2320.11.B. Sites/properties improved with only full cutoff and/or cutoff fixtures shall comply with the first row of the following Table. Sites/properties improved with only non-cutoff fixtures shall comply with the second row of the following Table. Where there are both cutoff (full cutoff and cutoff) and non-cutoff fixtures on the property, the maximum allowed lumens per acre shall be calculated twice, once for the total of all fixtures and once including only the non-cutoff fixtures. In such a case, the maximum lumens per acre must meet both requirements.

MAXIMUM ALLOWED LUMENS/ACRE BY FIXTURE TYPE

(Tables in this section are not displayed here - See original Document)

C. Total outdoor light output for B1 Single Family Detached Dwellings, B4 Two Family Dwellings, or A1 General Farming Uses shall not shall exceed 10,000 total lumens for all fixtures or the amount allowed under Table 27-2320.11.B., whichever is greater.

12. Lighting Plan. The design for all outdoor area and roadway lighting installations shall be submitted for review and approval by the Township prior to issuance of a zoning permit and construction of the outdoor lighting installation. The lighting plan must include all the information necessary for the Township to ensure that the outdoor lighting complies with the requirements of this Section and shall conform with the requirements of the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.