11.73 - Outdoor Lighting
9 11.73
Section 11.73: Outdoor Lighting
Subdivision 1. Purpose
The purpose of these regulations is to create standards for outdoor lighting which
will provide for nighttime safety/ security and utility while reducing light pollution/
light trespass/ and conserving energy for residential and non-residential properties.
Subdivision 2. Definitions
For the purpose of this Section the following terms shall have the meanings given.
A. Cutoff: The point at which all light rays emitted by a lamp/ light source/ or
luminaire are completely eliminated (cutoff) at a specific angle above the
ground.
B. Cutoff Angle: The maximum angle formed by a line drawn in the direction
of emitted light rays at the light source and a line perpendicular to the
ground from the light source.
C. Flood Lighting: 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 with a wide or narrow beam.
D. Footcandle: The American unit used to measure the total amount of light
cast on a surface (illuminance). One (1) footcandleis equivalent to the
illuminance produced by a source of one (1) candle at a distance of one (1)
foot.
E. Fun Cutoff-Type luminaire: A luminaire constructed or shielded to direct
all light at a cutoff angle of less than ninety (90) degrees.
F. Fully Shielded: The condition where the luminaire is designed and installed
where no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane running through the
lowest point on the luminaire.
G. Glare: Direct light emitted from a luminaire with intensity great enough to
cause visual discomfort/ eye fatigue/ a reduction in a viewer's ability to see/
or/ in extreme cases/ momentary blindness.
H. IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America [IES or
IESNA]): The professional society of lighting engineers/ including those from
manufacturing companies/ and others professionally involved in lighting.
I. Lamp: The generic term for an artificial light source/ to be distinguished from
the whole assembly (the luminaire). The lamp is commonly referred to as the
"bulb".
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J. Light Pollution: The shining of light produced by a luminaire above the
height of the luminaire and into the sky.
K. Light Trespass: The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the
boundaries of the property on which it is located.
L. Lumen: A quantitative unit measuring the amount of light emitted from a
light source.
M. Luminaire: A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together
with the parts designed to distribute the light. A luminaire is commonly
referred to as a "fixture."
N. Partially shielded: The condition where the luminaire incorporates a
translucent barrier that forms a partial shield around the lamp that allows
some light to pass through the barrier while concealing the lamp from the
viewer.
O. Shielded(ing): The lamp is not visible with a shielded light fixture, and no
light is emitted from the sides of the fixture. Also considered a "full cut-off
fixture."
P. Uniformity Ratio: A description of the smoothness of the lighting pattern or
the degree of intensity of light and dark areas in the area to be lighted.
Uniformity is expressed as a ratio of the maximum footcandle measurement
to the minimum footcandle measurement. The lower the ratio the more
uniform the lighting design.
Q. Uplighting: Lighting that is directed in such a manner as to shine light rays
above the horizontal plane.
R. Wallpack: A luminaire that mounts on the wall.
Subdivision 3. Applicability
A. Except as otherwise provided, the lighting standards of this Section shall be
applicable to all residential and non-residential uses.
6. The regulations in this Section do not apply to the following:
1. Lighting required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other federal
or state agency.
2. Public street or alley lighting located within the public right of way that is
authorized by the City of Golden Valley.
3. Temporary lighting for City authorized special events, theatrical
productions, outdoor television production sets, and performance areas.
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4. Temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways,
utilities, and other public infrastructure.
5. Vehicular lights and all temporary emergency lighting needed by the
police department and fire protection district, or other emergency
services.
6. Lighting of public and existing outdoor recreational facilities, such as but
not limited to ball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, hockey or skating
rinks, golf courses, golf-ball driving ranges, and special events or play
areas. Lighting for these outdoor recreational uses shall be shielded to
minimize light from spilling over onto adjacent residential properties.
Public recreational facility lighting is prohibited after 10: 30 pm, unless a
later completion time is approved by the City Manager, or his/her
designee.
7. Lighting within swimming pools.
8. Sign lighting which is governed by Section 4.20 of City Code.
9. Decorative seasonal lighting.
Subdivision 4. Prohibited Lights
A. The following lights are prohibited.
1. Mercury vapor lamps.
2. Low pressure sodium lamps are prohibited unless the City Manager or
his/her designee finds that the color distortion effect of low pressure
sodium lighting will not create a hindrance to crime prevention and
investigation.
Subdivision 5. Method of Measurement
A. Any light measurements shall be taken with a light meter with cosine, color
correction. Measurements shall be taken with a light meter that has been
calibrated within the year. Any measurements shall be measured by
positioning the meter horizontally at ground level.
B. Any light measurement taken at the property line shall be measured at the
greatest point of illumination of said property line. If measurement on private
property is not possible or practical, light level measurements may be made
at the boundary of the public street right-of-way that adjoins the property of
the complainant or at any other location on the property of the complainant.
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C. Any light measurements to determine the minimum and maximum lighting
levels internal to a site will be taken at the greatest and least points of
artificial illumination.
Subdivision 6. Nonconformities and Nuisance
A. Any new outdoor lighting installed after the effective date of this ordinance
shall comply with the requirements of this Section. Lighting in existence
before the effective date of this ordinance that does not comply with the
requirements hereof shall be considered legally non-conforming to the extent
provided by the terms of Section 11.90, subd. 2.
B. Evidence that a nonconforming luminaire directs glare to other private
property located in a residential zoning district at a level of illumination
caused by the luminaire equal to or greater than one half (0.5) footcandles
on the other private property creates a presumption that it is a public
nuisance. Such fixtures shall be altered to reduce the level of illumination in
the residential zoning district to less than three tenths (0.3) footcandles
within thirty (30) days of receiving a written notice from the City Manager or
his/her designee. If the owner or occupier of the property containing the
nuisance fails to correct the level of illumination within such thirty (30) day
period, such failure to correct shall be deemed to be a continuing violation of
this section.
Subdivision 7. Lighting Plan Requirements
An outdoor lighting (photometric) plan shall be submitted in conjunction with the
building permit application for any new non R-1 or non R-2 development and any
expansion of more than twenty percent (20%) of the building or site area. No
building permits shall be issued for said development until the photometric plan has
been approved by the City as being consistent with the terms of this Section. A
photometric plan shall include the following:
A. The location and height above grade of each light fixture.
B. The type (such as incandescent, halogen, high pressure sodium) and
luminous intensity of each light source with intensity reading points no
greater than thirty (30) feet apart.
C. The type of fixture (such as floodlight, full-cutoff, lantern, coach light).
D. Estimates for site illumination resulting from the lighting, as measured in
foot-candles, should include minimum, maximum and average illumination.
Comparable examples already in the community that demonstrate technique,
specification, and/or light level should be provided if available to expedite the
review process.
E. Hours of illumination.
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F. Certification by the property owner or agent and the preparer of the plan in
writing that the exterior lighting depicted on the plan complies with the
requirements of this Section. Once the plan is approved, the exterior lighting
of the property shall conform to the plan.
G. Other information deemed necessary may also be required by the City
Manager or his/her designee to document compliance with the provisions of
this Section.
H. If deemed necessary, the City may require the applicant's outdoor lighting
plan to be reviewed by a lighting consultant at the applicant's expense.
Subdivision 8. Requirements for Residential (R1 and R2) Zoning
Districts
The provisions in this Subdivision apply to the R1 and R2 Zoning Districts.
A. Lighting Levels. The maximum power of any luminaire shall be one hundred
fifity (150) watts.
B. Light Trespass. All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that
the maximum illumination shall not exceed three tenths (0.3) footcandlesat
the property line.
C. Security Lights. Motion-activated security lights and unshielded floodlights or
spotlights are permitted. However they must meet the light trespass
requirements of Section 8B.
Subdivision 9. General Requirements for other zoning districts (Non
R1 and Non R2 Properties)
The following provisions apply in all areas except for R1 and R2 zoning districts.
A. Lighting Fixtures. All exterior lighting shall use full cut-off luminaires with the
light source downcast and fully shielded, with the following exceptions:
1. Luminaires that have a maximum output of four hundred (400) lumens
per fixture, regardless of number of lamps (equal to one (1) forty [40]
watt incandescent light), may be left unshielded provided the luminaire
has an opaque top or is under an opaque structure.
2. Luminaires that have a maximum output of one thousand (1,000) lumens
per fixture, regardless of number of lamps (equal to one(one) sixty [60]
watt incandescent light) may be partially shielded provided the lamp is
not visible, and the luminaire has an opaque top or is under an opaque
structure.
3. The City Manager or his/her designee may permit alternatives to full-cut
off fixtures if there is a City approved area lighting plan. In order for the
area lighting plan to be approved, it must be demonstrated that
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undesirable off-site impacts stemming from the luminaires are reduced by
the fixture design or location.
4. Uplighting/ Accent Lighting described in Subdivision 13A.
B. Light Trespass. Outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the
maximum illumination shall not exceed five tenths (0.5) footcandles at the
property line.
C. Mounting Height. Luminaire height includes base and pole height. Free-
standing luminaires are permitted to be a maximum of thirty (30) feet in
height, except for the following:
1. When a luminaire is located within five hundred (500) feet of an R1 or R2
residential property the maximum permitted luminaire height shall be
twenty-five (25) feet and the lights shall be shielded.
2. The top exterior deck of parking garages shall be treated as normal pole
mounted lighting rather than as lights mounted to buildings. The
maximum height for light poles in these locations shall be twenty (20)
feet and light poles shall be located at least twenty (20) feet from the
perimeter of the parking deck.
3. Free-standing luminaires used for walkways, plazas and other pedestrian
areas are permitted to be a maximum of eighteen (18) feet.
D. Timers, Dimmers, and Sensors. Lighting installation shall include timers,
dimmers, and/or sensors to reduce overall energy consumption and eliminate
unneeded lighting.
E. Curfew. Lighting systems described in Subdivisions 10, 11, and 12 below
shall be extinguished or reduced in lighting by at least fifty percent (50%)
beginning one (1) hour after close of business and continuing until dawn or
start of business, whichever is sooner. The reduction shall be determined as
an overall average for the site. This provision does not require parking lot
lighting levels to be reduced to less than two tenths (0.2) footcandles.
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Subdivision 10. Specific Requirements for Parking Lot Lighting
The following specific lighting level requirements apply only to parking lot lighting.
A. Open-air parking lot lighting standards. The table below establishes open-air
parking lot lighting standards. For multilevel parking facilities, the roof level
shall be considered an open-air parking lot.
Basic Level Enhanced
Security
Level *
Minimum footcandles on pavement 0.2 fc 0.5 fc
Maximum footcandles on pavement 4.0 fc 7.5 fc
Uniformity Ratio 20:1 15:1
Maximum: minimum
*When requested by the property owner, the City Manager or his/her designee may
increase from Basic to Enhanced Security lighting levels when personal security is
an issue. The City Manager or his/her designee may consider specific site
characteristics, level of vehicle and pedestrian conflict, special security needs, and
history or likelihood of crimes in making the determination.
Subdivision 11. Specific Requirements for Service Stations
The following specific requirements apply only to service stations:
A. Canopy Lighting.
1. Lighting fixtures mounted under canopies used for vehicle shelter shall be
aimed downward and installed such that the bottom of the light fixture or
its lens, whichever is lower, is recessed or mounted flush with the bottom
surface of the canopy. A full cutoff light fixture may project below the
underside of a canopy. All light emitted by an under-canopy fixture shall
be substantially confined to the ground surface directly beneath the
perimeter of the canopy.
2. Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides (fascias) of the canopy,
and the sides (fascias) of the canopy shall not be internally illuminated.
3. Light levels shall not exceed twelve (12) footcandles average maintained
at the perimeter of the canopy and measured at ground level.
B. The illumination twenty (20) feet beyond the perimeter of the canopy shall
be a minimum of two (2) footcandles and a maximum of five (5) footcandles.
C. Exceptions to lighting level standards. At the discretion of the City Manager
or his/her designee, increased lighting levels may be permitted for enhanced
security purposes only.
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Subdivision 12. Specific Requirements for Auto Sales Areas
The following specific requirements apply only to auto sales areas:
A. Lighting Levels. Lighting levels shall not exceed a maximum of twenty (20)
footcandles within an auto sales area.
B. Light Uniformity. The maximum uniformity ratio (maximum illumination to
minimum illumination) throughout an auto sales area shall not exceed thirty
to one (30:1).
Subdivision 13. Requirements for Uplighting and Accent Lighting
A. Architectural features may be illuminated by uplighting, provided no glare or
light trespass is produced. All floodlights or other lighting attached to poles to
illuminate buildings are prohibited.
B. For statues, public art, or other objects of interest that cannot be illuminated
with downlighting, upward lighting may only be used that is confined to the
illumination to the object of interest.
C. Uplighting of flags is permitted with a limit of three (3) luminaires per flag
pole with a maximum of one hundred and fifty (150) watts from each
luminaire. The fixtures must be shielded such that the light source is not
visible outside of a fifteen (15) foot radius.
Subdivision 14. Temporary Lighting
A. Lighting used to illuminate temporary uses shall be reviewed, and if
necessary conditioned, through the Temporary Use Permitting process.
B. The City Manager or his/her designee may impose specific conditions for the
lighting of temporary uses consistent with the purposes of this section.
Source: Ordinance No. 365, 2nd Series
Effective Date: 3-23-07
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