§ 68-466. Lighting.

(a)

Applicability. All outside lighting, (except street lighting), lamps, bulbs, lights, dock lighting, and security lighting producing artificial light from all single-family, multifamily, retail, office, tourist trade, and other land uses which shine or reflect light onto or into neighboring properties or residences so as to annoy or disturb the persons inhabiting such neighboring residences is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is unlawful and prohibited. All exterior lighting shall be installed in such a manner and shielded that the cone of light shall fall, within the perimeter of the property, and where applicable, landward of the coastal construction control line.

All premises shall meet the provisions of this section, unless due to the location of the site, these provisions will be in conflict with Chapter 72 Resources, Vegetation and Environmentally Sensitive Lands, Article V, Lighting Standards for Properties Abutting Public Beaches and/or Along the Gulf of Mexico, or exempted below:

(1)

Premises lawfully existing as of the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived.

(2)

Buildings and/or improved premises lawfully existing as of the effective date of this section, may be renovated or repaired without modifying outdoor lighting in conformance with this section, provided any increase in gross floor area of the building or the impervious area of the site is less than ten percent or 2,000 square feet, whichever is less.

(3)

Buildings and/or improved premises lawfully existing as of the effective date of this section that are enlarged by ten percent or 2,000 square feet more, in gross floor area or impervious area on the site, whichever is less, shall comply with outdoor lighting standards as specified in this section.

(b)

Prohibited light fixtures and light sources. The following light fixtures and sources shall not be used where the source of the direct light emitted is visible from adjacent lots:

Cobra-head-type fixture with a drop lens

(1)

Cobra-head-type fixtures having drop lenses or refractors which house other than incandescent sources; and

(2)

Searchlights and other high-intensity narrow-beam fixtures, except in conjunction with an approved special event or temporary use permit.

(c)

Design requirements. Outdoor lighting shall primarily be used to provide safety, while secondarily accenting key architectural elements and to emphasize landscape features. Light fixtures shall be designed as an integral design element that complements the design of the project. This may be accomplished through style, material or color. All lighting fixtures designed or placed to illuminate any portion of a site shall meet the following requirements:

Any state-of-the-art technology shall be taken into consideration that is consistent with the intent of this section, as new lighting technology develops that is useful in reducing light above the horizontal plane.

(1)

Fixture (luminaire). The light source shall be concealed and shall not be visible from any street right-of-way or adjacent properties. In order to direct light downward and minimize the amount of light spill into the night sky and onto adjacent properties or waterways, all lighting fixtures shall be cutoff fixtures.

(2)

Mounting. Fixtures shall be mounted in such a manner that the cone of light is contained on-site and does not cross any property line of the site.

(3)

Limit lighting to period of activity. The use of sensor technologies, timers or other means to activate lighting during times when it will be needed is encouraged to conserve energy, provide safety and promote compatibility between different land uses.

(d)

Specific lighting.

(1)

Security lighting.

a.

Building-mounted security light fixtures such as wall packs shall not project above the roof line or parapet wall of the building and shall be shielded.

b.

Security fixtures shall not be substituted for parking area or walkway lighting and shall be restricted to loading, storage, service and similar locations.

(2)

Accent lighting. Only lighting used to accent architectural features, landscaping or art may be directed upward, provided that the fixture shall be located, aimed or shielded to minimize light spill into the night sky.

Canopy Area Lighting

(3)

Canopy area lighting. All development that incorporates a canopy area over fuel sales, automated teller machines or similar installations shall use a cutoff that provides a shielded light distribution.

(4)

Entrances to mixed use building types. All entrances to mixed use building types, and all entrances in apartment building types containing more than four units, shall be adequately lighted to ensure the safety of persons and the security of the building.

(5)

Commercial, hotel/motel and multi-family parking area lighting. All commercial, hotel/motel and multi-family parking areas shall be full cutoff. Light levels shall be a minimum of one initial foot candles of illumination throughout the parking lot. The maximum to minimum foot candle ratio shall not exceed 15 to one. All parking areas shall be required to provide lighting consistent with the design requirement of this section during nighttime hours of operation.

(6)

Excessive illumination.

a.

Lighting within any lot that unnecessarily illuminates and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of any other property shall be prohibited. Lighting unnecessarily illuminates another lot if it exceeds the requirements of this section.

b.

Lighting shall not be oriented so as to direct glare or excessive illumination onto streets in a manner that may distract or interfere with the vision of either drivers or pedestrians.

(7)

Beach lighting. No artificial public or private light source shall illuminate where it may deter adult female sea turtles from nesting or disorient hatchlings to the Gulf of Mexico during May 1 — October 31. Refer to Chapter 72 Resources, Vegetation and Environmentally Sensitive Lands, Article V, Lighting Standards for Properties Abutting Public Beaches and/or Along the Gulf of Mexico, for additional regulations of beach lighting in which case the more stringent provisions shall apply.

(Ord. No. 07-01, § 1, 3-20-07; Ord. No. 14-07, § 2, 9-3-14 )