Unified Development Ordinance, 31st Supplement, May 2024

Article 7.4. ​Site Lighting | CHAPTER 7. ​GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Article 7.4. Site Lighting Sec. 7.4.1. Applicability A. General 1. This Article does not apply to lighting installed in the public right-of-way or along any greenway. 2. The installation of site lighting, replacement of site lighting and changes to existing light fixture wattage, type of fixture, mounting or fixture location shall be made in strict compliance with this UDO. 3. Routine maintenance, including changing the lamp, ballast, starter, photo control, fixture housing, lens and other required components, is permitted for all existing fixtures. B. Change in Use A change in use does not trigger application of this Article except when there is a specific use standard requiring site lighting for a new use. C. Permit Required A permit is required for work involving site lighting. Documentation must be submitted that states the proposed site lighting complies with the provisions of this UDO. At a minimum, the documentation submitted must contain the following: 1. A point-by-point footcandle array in a printout format indicating the location and aiming of illuminating devices. The printout must indicate compliance with required footcandle limitations. 2. Description of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, poles, raised foundations and other devices, including but not limited to manufacturers or electric utility catalog specification sheets and photometric report indicating fixture classification. 3. The Development Services Director may waive any or all of the above permit requirements, provided the applicant can otherwise demonstrate compliance with this UDO. Sec. 7.4.2. Light Level Measuring A. Light levels are specified, calculated and measured in footcandles. All footcandles values are maintained footcandles.

B. Measurements are to be made at ground level, with the light-registering portion of the meter held parallel to the ground pointing up. Sec. 7.4.3. Prohibited Sources The following light fixtures and sources cannot be used: A. Cobra-head-type fixtures having dished or drop lenses or refractors which contain sources that are not incandescent; B. Temporary searchlights and other high-intensity narrow-beam fixtures; and C. Light sources that lack color correction or do not allow for uniform site lighting. Sec. 7.4.4. Design and Installation Requirements All light fixtures shall meet the following requirements: A. The maximum light level of any light fixture cannot exceed 0.5 footcandles measured at the property line of any Residential District and 2.0 footcandles measured at the right-of-way line of a street. B. Lighting must not be oriented so as to direct glare or excessive illumination onto adjacent properties, streets or sidewalks. C. Service connections for all freestanding lighting fixtures must be installed underground. Sec. 7.4.5. Parking and Pedestrian Areas A. Light fixtures within parking and vehicular display areas may be no higher than 30 feet. B. Light fixtures within pedestrian areas may be no higher than 15 feet.

30’ max

15’ max

7 – 47 Published May 2024

Part 10: Unified Development Ordinance City of Raleigh, North Carolina

Supp. No. 31