350-12.2Chapter 350. Zoning
§ 350-12.2. Lighting.
City of Northampton, MA Friday, December 13, 2019
A. Goals.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
B. 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.
UPLIGHTING
Any light source that distributes illumination above a ninety-degree horizontal plane.
C. 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:
(1) 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.
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) Upward search or spotlighting of the sky for entertainment or advertising purposes is prohibited.
(2) 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.
Compiled by New England Light Pollution Advisory Group and International Dark-Sky Association.
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) Light trespass beyond the property line, and light above a ninety-degree horizontal plane is prohibited.
(5) All nonessential lighting, including display, parking, and sign lighting, shall be turned off after business hours, leaving only the lighting necessary for site security.
(6) Site lighting output standards by district:
Zoning District
RR/SR/SC
URA/URB/URC
GB/EB/NB/CB/PV
HB
GI and OI
NOTES:
1 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.
New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) International Dark-Sky Association
(12) 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:
(a) Compact fluorescent white light.
(b) Low pressure sodium. Though these lamps may not provide accurate color rendering, they are appropriate for roadways, walkways, parking areas, and security lighting.
(c) Metal halide and fluorescent lamps when appropriate controls are used to ensure compliance with the standards within this chapter.
(d) High-pressure sodium.
D. Exemptions.
(1) 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.
(2) All replacement of outdoor lighting fixtures, as of the date of adoption, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
Maximum
(footcandle)
0.8
3
5
5
3
Site Average1
(footcandle)
NA
1
2
2.5
1
Footcandle at Property Line
0
0
0
0
0