2 rules for unincorporated Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Buncombe County's zoning ordinance (Sec. 78-668) sets dark-sky-style lighting standards for new commercial, industrial, public and multi-family development. Fixtures over 1,250 lumens must be full cutoff, upward-oriented lighting is prohibited, and LED color temperature is capped at 4,300 Kelvin. Single-family homes are largely exempt.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 78-668(e)(2)
All lighting luminaires to be installed on a permanent basis shall consist of full cutoff and cutoff fixtures, unless otherwise stipulated by this section. Full cutoff fixtures shall be utilized where the luminaire has more than a 1,250 lumen output.
Under Sec. 78-668, outdoor lighting on regulated development may not exceed 0.75 footcandles at any property line, and 3.0 footcandles at any public street right-of-way. Fixtures must be aimed downward and cutoff to keep glare and spillover off neighboring property.
Buncombe County Code Sec. 78-668(e)(1)
Unless otherwise specified, the maximum light level at any point shall be 0.75 footcandles at any property line, or 3.0 footcandles at any public street right-of-way. The maximum average light level for the developed area of the project to be permitted shall be 4.5 footcandles.
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