City of Dunwoody issued the following announcement on June 21.
The Dunwoody City Council has approved new color temperature requirements for outdoor lighting to prevent harsh glares and vision impairment that can impact the health and safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists at night. The change is also designed to protect nocturnal wildlife and the natural nightscape. The new rules limit outdoor LED lighting to 3000 Kelvin to promote softer, warmer light.
The new regulations update Dunwoody’s Dark-Sky Compliant Lighting Efficiency Ordinance, which was adopted in 2010. The ordinance provides for the efficient operation of outdoor lighting by limiting misdirected, excessive or unnecessary light. The update was prompted by a recent citizen complaint of excessive night lighting at several businesses.
The city-wide standard applies to commercial and residential properties. The new regulations do not apply to existing lighting, only new or replacement lights. Exceptions to the new regulations include outdoor sports, recreation fields and performance areas for safety purposes.
When replacing outdoor lights, consumers should look for the term “soft white,” which is used to describe bulbs up to 3000 Kelvin. “Daylight” is the term used to describe lights above 3000 Kelvin. A “light appearance” scale from warm to cool is often present on the side of a box for reference. Outdoor lighting that is less than 3000K is considered a “warm color.”
The changes will not make it darker (in terms of light intensity). It will change the hue of the lighting. Exemptions include temporary holiday lighting and security lighting that’s controlled and activated by a motion sensor device for a duration of ten minutes.
Click here to read the full text: Ordinance to Amend Chapter 27 (Zoning Ordinance) of the City of Dunwoody Code of Ordinances: To Add Color Temperature Regulations and Requirements for Outdoor Lighting.
Click to read the updated ordinance through Municode.
Questions? Email Deputy Community Development Director Paul Leonhardt: Paul.Leonhardt@dunwoodyga.gov
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Dunwoody
