12.15.010 Exterior lighting standards.
The requirements of this Section apply to all private exterior lighting within the business, manufacturing, institutional and park-recreational districts.
(a) Orientation of Fixtures. Except for security lighting, outdoor recreational facility lighting or flag lighting, in no instance shall an exterior lighting fixture be oriented so that the lighting element (or a transparent shield) is visible from any abutting right-of-way or adjacent property. The use of fully shielded fixtures (as defined in the Wisconsin Model Exterior Lighting Ordinance) is required and careful fixture placement and maintenance is encouraged so as to facilitate compliance with this requirement.
1. Building Lighting. Ground-mounted light fixtures for building lighting shall be carefully located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed only onto the building façade.
2. Service Station Canopy Lighting. Light fixtures mounted on the bottom surface of service station canopies shall be recessed so that the lens cover is flush with the bottom surface (ceiling) of the canopy.
3. Wall Lighting. Wall-mounted light fixtures shall be aimed and shielded so that illumination is directed below a horizontal plane through the top of the lighting fixture.
(b) Intensity of Illumination. In no instance shall the amount of illumination attributable to exterior lighting as measured at the property line exceed 0.5 footcandles above ambient lighting conditions on a cloudless night. This will be verified by a photometric plan of the property.
(c) Minimum Parking Lot Lighting. All areas designated on required site plans for vehicular parking, loading or circulation and used for any such purpose shall provide artificial illumination in those areas at a minimum average intensity of 2 footcandles.
(d) Height. Light fixtures shall not be more than 25 feet above ground level for parking lots serving 20 or fewer parking spaces, nor more than 30 feet above ground level for parking lots with more than 20 spaces.
(e) Flashing, Flickering and Other Distractive Lighting. Flashing, flickering and/or other lighting which may distract motorists is prohibited.
(f) Nonconforming Lighting. All lighting fixtures existing prior to the effective date of this Section and that do not comply with the provisions of this Section shall be considered as legal nonconforming uses. The replacement of nonconforming fixtures after the effective date of this Section shall be done so with fixtures which fully comply with the provisions of this Section.
(g) Exemptions. Lighting placed in a public right-of-way for public safety shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section.
(h) Special Uses. Lighting for outdoor recreational facilities such as athletic fields, courts, tracks, golf courses and driving ranges, shooting ranges, swimming pools, ski hills or amusement parks and fairgrounds may be exempt from the provisions of this Section, but shall meet accepted minimum design standards for the intended use. Lighting plans for outdoor recreational facilities shall be subject to review and approval by Planning and Development. [Code § 12.18.8-1.]