PURPOSE AND INTENT

The Land Development Code includes a new section that regulates outdoor lighting. The purpose of the regulation is to provide clear standards for the installation of new outdoor lighting that will reduce nuisances of light trespass and glare, maintain and complement the community's character, and to provide a safe nighttime environment for pedestrians, motorists and properties. The regulations vary according to the form district in which a site is located.

APPLICABILITY

The standards in the lighting regulation shall apply to all new outdoor “luminaires” (lighting fixtures) erected in Metro Louisville. Fixtures in place before the effective date of this regulation that do not meet the standards of Section 4.1.3 may remain in place as nonconforming luminaires. When nonconforming luminaires are removed or replaced the new luminaires shall comply with the standards of the lighting regulation.

SHIELDING

All new light fixtures must be shielded to focus light on the property being illuminated (see illustration). The following luminaire shielding requirements apply:

MOUNTING HEIGHT LIMITS

Height limits are established for outdoor lighting in the residential form districts:

CANOPY OR DRIVE-THROUGH BAYS

All luminaires mounted on or recessed into the lower surface of canopies or drive-through bays shall be fully-shielded and utilize flat lenses. The lighting levels under these structures shall comply with the following standards:

PROHIBITIONS

These lighting types are prohibited:

• Fixtures with drop or sag lenses
• Flashing and strobe lights employed to draw attention to business establishments, special events, etc.
• Search lights

LIGHT TRESPASS

The LDC regulates light “trespass” onto adjacent streets and residential sites. Light that spills across property lines shall not exceed the following standards:

• One-half (0.5) footcandle at any property border adjoining a low- to medium-density residentially zoned or used property border.
• One (1.0) footcandle at any property border adjoining a high-density residentially zoned or used property border or public right-of-way.
• If the existing light level at any property border exceeds one-half footcandle prior to the development of a subject site, then the level of lighting resultant from luminaires installed on that site shall not increase the light level at the property border by more than one-half footcandle.

WAIVERS

The Planning Commission may waive the requirements of the Land Development Code, including the lighting regulation. Adjacent property owners are notified two weeks prior to the Commission’s action on any waiver request.

LIGHTING REGULATION TERMS

Luminaire = A complete lighting system, including a lamp or lamps and a fixture.

Light Trespass = The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located.

Fully-Shielded Light Fixture (also known as Full-cutoff) = A lighting fixture constructed in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture, is projected below the horizontal. Any structural part of the light fixture controlling light emissions must be permanently affixed.

Shielded (also known as cutoff) Light Fixture = A lighting fixture constructed in such a manner that no more than 2.5 percent of the lamp lumens are emitted above the horizontal plane through the lowest direct-light-emitting part of the luminaire.

Sag-lens or Drop-lens = A clear or prismatic refracting lens that extends below the lowest opaque portion of a light fixture.