Chapter 17.43 — LIGHTING REGULATIONS

It is the intent of this Chapter to establish rules and regulations for the reduction and restriction of unnecessary and excessive stray light as given off by exterior lighting sources on commercial and residential buildings during the nighttime hours. The excessive stray light emitted from exterior lighting sources within the City constitutes a form of visual pollution that interferes with the enjoyment of the nighttime visual environment for citizens in and around the City of Jackson

For the purpose of this Chapter phrases shall be defined as follows:

Color Rendering Index (CRI). A method for describing the effect of a light source on the color appearance of objects being illuminated, with 100 representing the reference condition and is the CRI of natural outdoor light or a 100-watt incandescent bulb. In general, a lower CRI indicated that some colors may appear unnatural when illuminated by a lamp.

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT). A description of the color appearance of a light source in terms of warmth or coolness, as measured on the Kelvin scale (K). As the temperature rises, the color appearance shifts from yellow to blue. Lamps with a low CCT (3000K or less) have a yellowwhite color appearance and are generally described as "warm." Lamps with a high CCT (4000K and higher) have a blue-white color appearance and are described as "cool."

Full Cut Off Light Fixture. A light fixture so designed that no light rays are directly emitted by the installed fixture at angles above the horizontal plane as certified by a photometric test report. As a practical matter, the light source cannot be seen when viewed on a plane horizontal with the bottom of the shade or shield.

High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamp. A term for a lamp or light source characterized by an arc tube which encloses various gases and metal salts operating at relative high pressures and temperatures. Common HID lamps are mercury vapor, metal halide and high-pressure sodium.

Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.). A light source where light is produced by passing an electric current through a semi-conductor diode. Intensity and color may change as a function of the energy level and type of semiconductor material used.

The following regulations shall apply to all lighting within the City of Jackson, unless otherwise indicated:

• A. No High Intensity Discharge lights may be utilized in any exterior application within the City.

• B. No lights or lamps with a Correlated Color Temperature of higher than 2400 K or a Color Rendering Index of lower than 70 may be utilized on any exterior within the City.

• A. All exterior lighting, including motion-sensitive lighting, will be provided by full cut-off fixtures that by design have a cut-off angle of not more than 90 degrees, properly installed so as to maintain the full cut-off angle of 90 degrees. Fixtures which are shielded by a structural element so as to meet the intent of a full cut-off fixture shall be considered to be in compliance.

• B. Non-seasonal lights that blink, flash, rotate, move, or change in intensity or color and "wall washer" lights are prohibited with or without cut-off design.

• C. Exterior lighting fixtures will be mounted no higher than 10 feet above the flooring, deck, walkway, driveway or other occupied area, or highest grade point of the ground surface immediately adjacent to the lighting fixture. The height of the fixture shall be vertical distance from the surface directly below the centerline of the fixture to the lowest direct light emitting part of the fixture.

The following commercial lighting regulation apply to all property within the Commercial, Limited Commercial, Historic Commercial, Professional Office, and Public zones and those areas of a Planned Development utilized for commercial purposes:

• A. All exterior lighting shall be provided by full cut-off fixtures that by design have a cut-of angle of not more than 90 degrees, properly installed so as to maintain the full cut-off angle of 90 degrees. Fixtures which are shielded by a structural element so as to meet the intent of a full cut-off fixture shall be considered to be in compliance.

• B. Lights which blink, flash, rotate, move, or change in color or intensity are prohibited.

• C. Exterior lighting fixtures will be mounted no higher than 13 feet above the flooring, deck, walkway, driveway or other occupied area, or highest grade point of the ground surface immediately adjacent to the lighting fixture. The height of the fixture shall be vertical distance from the surface directly below the centerline of the fixture to the lowest direct light emitting part of the fixture.

• D. Temporary, ornamental lighting shall be allowed from October 15th to January 15th, and in all other times, for periods not to exceed 72 hours. Such lighting shall be deemed temporary if it is not of such permanent electrical wiring as would be deemed permanent under any applicable electrical code enforceable with the City.

• E. Rope lights or L.E.D. lights that do not conform to Section 17.43.040 (Residential Lighting Regulations) are prohibited, unless they are temporary, ornamental lighting otherwise permitted.

• F. The illumination of signs shall comply with Chapter 17.54 (Sign Regulations) of this code.

The requirements for street, parking, and security lighting set forth in this Section, except where specifically exempted, apply to all zoning districts within the City.

• A. All street, parking, and security lights will utilize full cut-off fixtures that by design have a cut-off angle of not more than 90 degrees, properly installed so as to maintain the full cut-off angle of 90 degrees. Fixtures which are shielded by a structural element so as to meet the intent of a full cut-off fixture shall be considered to be in compliance.

• B. Lighting fixtures shall be mounted no higher than 15 feet above a parking or street surface.

The following exterior light fixtures shall be exempt from the regulation contained in this Section.

• A. Illumination of the United States flag, provided that such lighting does not interfere with the vision of drivers or pedestrians, or otherwise create an unsafe condition for the public. No more than two lights per pole are allowed.

• B. Fixtures which are part of an official traffic control device.

• C. Lights and lighting devices which are part of a City event or public gathering, so long as the event or gathering is of a temporary nature and licensed or permitted under other provisions of the Municipal Code.

• D. Lights which highlight theatre marquees, if approved by the Site Plan Review Committee.

• E. Historic light fixtures which are part of a historic property and add to the historic character of the property.

• F. Lights which illuminate public outdoor recreation facilities. Such lighting shall be designed to minimize light pollution.

• G. Other fixtures which, by their nature, use, and design, present a compelling argument for the promotion of public health, safety, and welfare as determined by the Building Official or Chief of Police.

Nonconforming fixtures may be maintained and repaired; however, any structural change in a nonconforming fixture or the addition of any fixtures shall be consistent with the provisions of this Chapter. Nonconforming fixtures that are destroyed or damaged to an extent in excess of 25 percent shall be replaced or repaired by a fixture which conforms to the provisions of this Chapter.