Lincoln's adopted outdoor-lighting design standards limit sky glow. Any light source over 4,050 lumens must be a cutoff or full-cutoff fixture, mounted level and aimed straight down. New mercury-vapor luminaires are prohibited for outdoor lighting.
The City of Lincoln Design Standards for Zoning Regulations, Chapter 3.100 (Design Standards for Outdoor Lighting), Section 1, requires that no illumination source exceed an initial output of 4,050 lumens unless it is within a cutoff or full-cutoff luminaire (limited exceptions for neon and certain accent lighting). All fixtures greater than 4,050 lumens must be cutoff or full-cutoff and mounted level in the horizontal and vertical axis with the central beam directed vertically downward. Installing any new mercury-vapor luminaire for outdoor lighting is prohibited. The standards apply to new development and lighting installations reviewed by Building and Safety. Unincorporated acreages follow the Lancaster County Zoning Resolution.
Installing high-output fixtures that are not cutoff/full-cutoff, or new mercury-vapor outdoor lighting, fails the design standards; Lincoln Building and Safety can withhold approval or require compliant fixtures.
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