Sign Illumination Regulations

[Woonerf]

Could someone share their jurisdiction's illumination regulations for signs?Specifically, I would like to know what quantifiable maximum illumination levels at property lines or neighboring businesses have been established by other cities, counties, townships, etc.

[NHPlanner]

Not specific to signs, but our illumination plan requirements do not allow greater than 0.2 footcandles at any property line.

[Woonerf]

Not specific to signs, but our illumination plan requirements do not allow greater than 0.2 footcandles at any property line.

Thank you! Our code is similar but 0.3 footcandles at property line for exterior lighting only. Applying sign illumination to our exterior lighting code illumination level would be a simple solution for us.

[NHPlanner]

Thank you! Our code is similar but 0.3 footcandles at property line for exterior lighting only. Applying sign illumination to our exterior lighting code illumination level would be a simple solution for us.

Here's the wording of our requirements, hope it helps!

3.13 OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN STANDARDS:
a. The following words and terms related to outdoor lighting are defined as follows:
1. Disability Glare- The eye’s Line-of-Sight contact with a direct light source, which causes a partial blindness
2. Footcandle- A unit of measure for illuminance. A unit of illuminance on a surface that is everywhere one foot from a uniform point source of light of one candle and equal to one lumen per square foot
3. Full cut off type fixture - A luminaire or light fixture that; by design of the housing, does not allow any light dispersion or direct glare to shine above 90 degree, horizontal plane from the base of the fixture. Full cut-off fixtures must be installed in a horizontal position as designed, or the purpose of the design is defeated, and disability glare will result.
4. Horizontal Illuminance- The measurement of brightness from a light source, usually measured in footcandles or lumens, which is taken through a light meter’s sensor at a horizontal position.
5. Light Trespass- Light from an artificial light source that is intruding into an area where it is not wanted or does not belong.
6. Uplighting- Any light source that distributes illumination above a 90 degree horizontal plane.
7. Uniformity Ratio (U. Ratio)- Describes the average level of illumination in relation to the lowest level of illumination for a given area. Example: U. Ratio =4:1 for the given area, the lowest level of illumination (1) should be no less than 25% or “4 times less” than the average (4 ) level of illumination.
b. Purpose: It is the goal of this section to provide further guidance to developers in implementing sections 603J (Lighting) and 703N (Lighting) of the Londonderry Zoning Ordinance. Further, it is also the goal of this section to establish minimum requirements for lighting for all non-residential projects (non-residential projects include multi-family proposals). Recognizing that inappropriate and poorly designed or installed outdoor lighting causes unsafe and unpleasant conditions, limits residents ability to enjoy the nighttime sky, and results in unnecessary use of electric power. Conversely, it is also recognized that some outdoor lighting is appropriate in areas such as civic, commercial and industrial centers. To ensure appropriate lighting while minimizing its undesirable side effects, the following regulations are established.
c. General Requirements
1. That all exterior lights and illuminated signs shall be designed, located, installed and directed in such a manner as to prevent objectionable light, and glare across, the property lines and disability glare at any location on or off the property. The “maintained horizontal illuminance recommendation” set by the illuminating Engineers Society of North America (IES) shall be observed. (See appendix LIGHT 1)
2. All parking area lighting will be full cut-off type fixtures.
3. Uplighting is prohibited. Externally lit signs, display, building and aesthetic lighting must be shielded to prevent direct glare and/or light trespass in excess of 0.2 footcandles. The lighting must also be, as much as physically possible, contained to the target area. Internally lit signs are acceptable provided that they meet the requirements of the Londonderry Zoning Ordinance.
4. All building lighting for security or aesthetics will be full cut-off or a shielded type, not allowing any upward distribution of light. Flood lighting is discouraged, and if used, must be shielded to prevent:
a. Disability glare for drivers or pedestrians,
b. Light trespass beyond the property line, and
c. Light above a 90 degree, horizontal plane. Unshielded wallpack type fixtures are not acceptable.
5. Adjacent to residential property, no direct light source will be visible at the property line at ground level or above.
6. All non-essential lighting will be required to be turned off after business hours, leaving only the necessary lighting for security. (“Non-essential” can apply to: display, aesthetic, parking and sign lighting).
7. When outdoor lighting installation or replacement is part of a development proposal for which site plan approval is required under these regulations, the Planning Board shall review and approve the lighting installation as part of its site plan approval.
8. Lighting of Gas Station/Convenience Store Aprons and Canopies: All of the above standards shall apply, as well as the standards in Appendix LIGHT 2.
9. When an outdoor lighting installation is being modified, extended, expanded or added to, the entire outdoor lighting installation shall be subject to the requirements of this section
10. Expansion, additions, or replacements to outdoor lighting installations shall be designed to avoid harsh contrast in color and or lighting levels
11. Electrical service to outdoor lighting fixtures shall be underground.
12. Proposed lighting installations that are not covered in this section may be approved if the Planning Board finds that they are designed to minimize glare, do not direct light beyond the boundaries in excess of 0.2 footcandles of the area being illuminated or onto adjacent properties or streets, and do not result in excessive lighting levels. The U-Ratio for any site may not be greater than 4:1.
13. For the purposes of these regulations, the mounting height of a lighting fixture shall be defined as the vertical distance from the grade elevation of the surface being illuminated to the bottom of the lighting fixture (i.e luminaire).
14. Temporary (3 months) Holiday lighting during the months of November, December and January shall be exempt for the provisions of this section, provided that such lighting does not create dangerous glare or adjacent streets or properties.
15. The Planning Board may modify the requirements of this section if it determines that in so doing, it will not jeopardize the intent of these regulations.

[DennisMaPlanner]

Here are some excerpts from a by-law I wrote for Fairhaven MA

"5. Illumination of Signs.
(a) Interference With Traffic. No lighting shall be permitted to be used in any way in connection with a sign unless it is effectively shielded so as to illuminate the sign surface only and to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the main-traveled way of the public roadway or onto any residential property, or is of such low intensity or brilliance as not to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or to otherwise interfere with any drivers operation of a motor vehicle.
(b) Underground Electrical Service. All illuminated freestanding identification signs shall have underground electrical service unless evidence is provided that the local electric utility will not permit such underground service.
(c) Any sign which is externally illuminated shall be a minimum distances of 100 feet between the leading edge of the illuminated sign and an adjoining residential property line.
(d) In locations where the stated set back requirements from residential uses or districts cannot be met, then illumination of signs must be turned off between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m."

In residential districts only external illumination was permitted, i.e lights shining back at a sign face, no internal illumination was allowed. I tried to push for Halo lighting but that did not carry with the Planning Board at the time.