350-12.2 lighting(1)
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City of Northampton, MA
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Chapter 350. Zoning
§ 350-12.2. Lighting.
Goals.
It is the intent of this section to establish light standards that result in lighting systems that are
designed, constructed, and installed to control glare and light trespass, minimize obtrusive
light, conserve energy and resources while maintaining safety, visibility, security of individuals
and property, and curtailing the degradation of the nighttime visual environment. All standards
within this section must be met unless the Planning Board explicitly grants a waiver through
site plan approval for lighting that does not conform to these standards. Such waivers may be
granted if and only if these goals are being achieved and increased energy efficiency is
achieved.
Evenly distributed lighting throughout a site will minimize impacts on surrounding
neighborhoods and increases efficiency. By directing light where it is needed and only the
intensity necessary to serve the intended purpose, these standards will prevent glare and its
harsh shadows and blind spots.
Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CUTOFF (FULL) FIXTURE
A light fixture that, by design of the housing, does not allow any light dispersion or direct glare
to shine above a ninety-degree or horizontal plane from the base of the fixture.
FOOTCANDLE
A measurement of light that equals one lumen per square foot.
GLARE
A light source that distributes enough intensity to cause loss of visibility or discomfort. This is
typically caused when a light source is greater than the surrounding light to which the eye is
accustomed.
OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES
Permanently installed or portable illuminating devices used for floodlighting, general
illumination or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, search, spot
and floodlights for buildings and structures; recreational areas; parking lot lighting; landscape
lighting; billboards and other signs; streetlighting; product display area lighting; building
overhangs and open canopies.
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C.
UPLIGHTING
Any light source that distributes illumination above a ninety-degree horizontal plane.
Standards. Any use permitted by zoning either by right or through any type of zoning relief in any
district shall conform to the following lighting standards. All outdoor light fixtures and illuminated
signs for all uses and structures within the City of Northampton shall be designed, located,
installed and directed in such a manner as to prevent measurable light at the property lines and
glare at any location on or off the property. If necessary, an applicant may need to provide
photometric plans and/or manufacturing specification sheets to show conformance with these
standards. This standard shall be met through the following:
All outdoor lighting shall have full cutoff-type fixtures (See below.) Cutoffs shall shield bulbs
from visibility and may consist of internal baffles or reflectors or external panels or other
mechanisms.
General site lighting shall not exceed 90º, the horizontal plane of bottom of lamp fixture.
No uplighting is allowed; parking, security and aesthetic lighting must shine downward.
Spotlights used to illuminate buildings, signs or specific site amenities/features shall be
targeted on such objects so as to prevent direct uplighting. Cutoffs shall limit lighting to a
forty-five-degree angle above the horizontal plane.
Upward search or spotlighting of the sky for entertainment or advertising purposes is
prohibited.
Lighting shall be shielded to prevent direct glare and light trespass and shall be contained to
the target area to the extent feasible. See below for examples of appropriate fixtures.
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Compiled by New England Light Pollution Advisory Group and International Dark-Sky
Association.
Luminaires with no cutoff fixture used for mixed use or nonresidential uses may be
allowed through a site plan approval from the Planning Board only when it is shown that
a low-level wattage (8,000 lumens or less) is to be used, no glare will be present on
streets or on adjoining properties and standards in Subsection C(6) below will be met.
This may be appropriate for decorative purpose within neighborhoods or the Central
Business or General Business Districts.
Lights or luminaires without cutoffs may be used on or around residential structures if
bulbs used do not exceed one-hundred-watt incandescent or the equivalent fluorescent
(not to exceed twenty-five-watt) or other type bulb and light glare will not be directed off
site.
Floodlighting for residential purposes should only be used with sensors and must be shielded
to prevent glare for drivers and pedestrians, light trespass beyond the property line, and light
above a ninety-degree horizontal plane.
Light trespass beyond the property line, and light above a ninety-degree horizontal plane is
prohibited.
All nonessential lighting, including display, parking, and sign lighting, shall be turned off after
business hours, leaving only the lighting necessary for site security.
Site lighting output standards by district:
Zoning District
Maximum
(footcandle)
Site Average
(footcandle)
Footcandle at
Property Line
RR/SR/SC 0.8 NA 0
1
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Zoning District
Maximum
(footcandle)
Site Average
(footcandle)
Footcandle at
Property Line
URA/URB/URC 3 1 0
GB/EB/NB/CB/PV 5 2 0
HB 5 2.5 0
GI and OI 3 1 0
NOTES:
Standard for averaging as established by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America.
The Building Commissioner shall determine if light levels are being met. Based on this
assessment, the property owner shall replace or modify fixtures to achieve compliance.
Lighting directed on buildings and wall signs shall conform to these output standards for
commercial uses. (Maximum footcandles shown for various surface coloring/texture). These
standards are in addition to those designated in Subsection C(6) above and shall not result in
lighting that exceeds those allowed on the site as described in Subsection C(6).
Surface Types
Adjoining Residential Districts
(footcandles)
Business Districts
(footcandles)
Light (reflective) surfaces 5 15
Medium-light surfaces 10 20
Medium-dark surfaces 15 30
Dark (absorbing) surfaces 20 50
Pole heights shall be a maximum of 25 feet in parking lots for commercial and industrial uses
within commercial and industrial parking lots and along streets. The maximum height in the
Central Business, Entranceway Business, General Business, and Neighborhood Business
Districts and in all residential districts shall be 16 feet. Greater pole heights may be allowed
with site plan approval from the Planning Board. Lamp wattage should be lower on poles that
are lower heights.
Pole heights for streets shall not be greater than 25 feet in commercial areas and 16 feet for
new residential streets, unless exempt public ways. Streetlights shall conform to the pole
standards above and shall conform to these light output standards:
Commercial streets average between 0.8 footcandle to one footcandle;
Local and collector streets average 0.3 footcandle to 0.8 footcandle.
Signs should be illuminated from the top or internally illuminated. Internal illumination is
allowed so long as it does not cause light to be directed upward or off the property boundaries
and conforms to other standards herein. See also Subsection C(6) above.
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D.
New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) International Dark-Sky Association
Energy efficiency. The City encourages the use of energy-efficient lamps for all outdoor
applications. Mercury vapor and incandescent lighting fixtures, except for single-family, two-
family and three-family uses, are prohibited because they are the least energy efficient and
contain elements harmful for the environment. In order of preference, the following represent
lamp types that are recommended:
Compact fluorescent white light.
Low pressure sodium. Though these lamps may not provide accurate color rendering,
they are appropriate for roadways, walkways, parking areas, and security lighting.
Metal halide and fluorescent lamps when appropriate controls are used to ensure
compliance with the standards within this chapter.
High-pressure sodium.
Exemptions.
Permanent outdoor light fixtures lawfully installed prior to and operable on the effective date
of the requirements in this chapter must not create glare nor be visible from a residential
structure in a residential zone on another property. Existing fixtures installed in accordance
with criteria in affect in March 2006, however, are exempt from new requirements herein.
All replacement of outdoor lighting fixtures, as of the date of adoption, shall be subject to the
provisions of this chapter.
Airport operations lighting and aircraft navigational beacons as established by the Federal
Aviation Administration are permanently exempt from these provisions. All other airport
outdoor lighting must conform to the intent of this chapter.
Festivals/fairs that require the use of temporary outdoor lighting fixtures are exempt except
that permanent installations at dedicated sites must conform to the requirements of this
chapter.