A. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations that preserve and enhance the view of the dark sky; promote health, safety, security, and productivity; and help protect natural resources. The provisions of this chapter are intended to control glare and light trespass. It is the intent of this chapter to provide standards for appropriate lighting practices and systems that will enable people to see essential detail in order that they may undertake their activities at night, facilitate safety and security of persons and property, and curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual environment.
B. Applicability.
1. All outdoor lighting fixtures installed on private and public property shall comply with this chapter. This chapter does not apply to interior lighting; provided, that if it is determined by the director that any interior lighting emitting light outside of the building or structure in which it is located creates a light trespass, the interior lighting shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter.
2. In the event of a conflict between the requirements of this chapter and any other requirement of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code the more specific requirement shall apply.
C. Exemptions. The following are exempt from the provisions of this section:
1. Traffic control signals and devices;
2. Street lights installed prior to August 15, 2002; provided, that when a street light fixture becomes inoperable, any replacement street light fixture shall be subject to the provisions of BIMC 18.15.040;
3. Temporary emergency lighting (i.e., fire, police, repair workers) or warning lights;
4. Moving vehicle lights;
5. Navigation lights (i.e., radio/television towers, docks, piers, buoys) or any other lights where state or federal statute or other provision of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code requires lighting that cannot comply with this chapter. In such situations, lighting shall be shielded to the maximum extent possible, and lumens shall be minimized to the maximum extent possible, while still complying with state or federal statute;
6. Seasonal decorations do not have to be shielded; provided, that they do not have a brightness of more than 0.1 foot-candles at the property line on which they are installed;
7. Outdoor lighting approved by the director for temporary or periodic events (e.g., fairs, nighttime construction); and
8. Internally illuminated signs permitted under Chapter 15.08 BIMC.
D. General Standards. The following general standards shall apply to all nonexempt outdoor lighting fixtures and accent lighting:
1. All outdoor lighting fixtures and accent lighting shall be designed, installed, located and maintained such that there is no light trespass (see Figure 2 in subsection F of this section).
2. Outdoor lighting fixtures and accent lighting must be shielded and aimed downward. Examples of acceptable and unacceptable light pollution control shielding are shown in Figures 1 through 3 in subsection F of this section. The shield must mask the direct horizontal surface of the light source. The light must be aimed to ensure that the illumination is only pointing downward onto the ground surface, with no escaping direct light permitted to contribute to light pollution by shining upward into the sky.
3. Outdoor lighting fixtures and accent lighting shall not directly illuminate public waterways such as Puget Sound, even if the tidelands are privately owned, unless it is a navigational light subject to state or federal regulations or otherwise regulated by Chapter 16.12 BIMC.
4. Accent lighting shall be directed downward onto the illuminated object or area and not toward the sky or onto adjacent properties (see Figure 3 in subsection F of this section). Direct light emissions of such accent lighting shall not be visible above the roof line or beyond the building, structure, or object edge.
5. Spotlighting on landscaping and foliage shall be limited to 150 watts incandescent (2,220 lumens output) and comply with other standards in this chapter.
E. Prohibited.
1. The following fixtures (luminaires) are prohibited: (a) searchlights for any other purpose other than temporary emergency lighting, (b) laser lights or any similar high-intensity light for outdoor use or entertainment, (c) quartz lamps, and (d) mercury vapor lamps.
2. The city reserves the right to further restrict outdoor lighting including, but not limited to, pole height and level of illumination, when it is deemed to be in the best public interest consistent with the purpose of BIMC 18.15.040.
F. Figures of Acceptable Shielding and Direction of Outdoor Light Fixtures. The following figures illustrate acceptable and unacceptable outdoor lighting fixtures in the city:
Figure 1: Freestanding Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
Figure 2: Outdoor Lighting Fixtures – Street and Lot Light Cut-off at Property Line
Figure 3: Accent Lighting
(Ord. 2011-02 § 2 (Exh. A), 2011)