Maine An Ordinance to Amend Zoning Ordinance Lighting Requirements and Restrictions

• Category: Government - Ordinances and Codes
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-M-9707
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This is a sample of Municipal Codes when dealing with an ordinance concerning the amendment of a zoning ordinance for lighting requirements and/or restrictions. This may be used across the United States.

Maine is a state located in the northeastern part of the United States, known for its picturesque natural landscapes, rugged coastline, and historical significance. An Ordinance to Amend Zoning Ordinance Lighting Requirements and Restrictions in Maine aims to regulate and address issues related to outdoor lighting within designated areas of the state. Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in maintaining safety, security, and aesthetics in any community. However, excessive or poorly designed lighting can result in light pollution, visual obtrusion, and negative impacts on the environment and nocturnal wildlife. The Maine An Ordinance to Amend Zoning Ordinance Lighting Requirements and Restrictions is designed to mitigate such negative impacts while ensuring that the benefits of outdoor lighting are realized. The ordinance encompasses various types of lighting requirements, restrictions, and guidelines that must be adhered to in specific zones within the state. Some key keywords relevant to this ordinance include: 1. Outdoor lighting: Referring to any artificial illumination installed or used outdoors, including streetlights, security lights, landscape lighting, and other forms of exterior lighting. 2. Zoning ordinance: A set of regulations that govern the use of land and structures within specific zones or areas, typically created to manage urban development, maintain aesthetic standards, and ensure public safety. 3. Lighting requirements: The specifications and standards that outdoor lighting installations must meet, including factors such as light intensity, direction, color temperature, and shielding. 4. Lighting restrictions: The limitations imposed on outdoor lighting fixtures, aimed at minimizing light trespass, sky glow, glare, and other forms of light pollution that may adversely affect the surrounding environment, wildlife, or neighboring properties. 5. Light pollution: The unwanted or excessive artificial light that spills into the night sky, obscuring the visibility of stars, planets, and other celestial objects. Light pollution can disrupt natural ecosystems and disturb nocturnal animals' behavior patterns. 6. Nocturnal wildlife: Animals that are active primarily during the night, relying on natural light cues for their survival, reproduction, and foraging activities. Light pollution can disrupt their natural behaviors, affecting their reproduction, migration, and overall ecosystem balance. Maine's An Ordinance to Amend Zoning Ordinance Lighting Requirements and Restrictions may include specific sub-categories or types, such as: 1. Urban lighting requirements and restrictions: Focusing on areas with dense urban development, this sub-category may include guidelines for street lighting, architectural lighting, and commercial lighting within urban zones. It may emphasize proper shielding, color temperature, and energy efficiency to minimize light pollution. 2. Rural and residential lighting guidelines: Addressing lighting needs and restrictions in more sparsely populated or residential areas, this sub-category may provide measures to maintain dark skies, minimize light trespass, and encourage the use of low-intensity, downward-facing lighting fixtures. 3. Coastal lighting considerations: Recognizing the unique environmental concerns of coastal areas, this sub-category may highlight the importance of preserving nighttime visibility for maritime navigation while minimizing impacts on coastal ecosystems, nesting habitats, and migrating species. 4. Exception permits and exemptions: The ordinance may outline the process for obtaining exceptions or permits for unique cases or circumstances where deviating from the specified lighting requirements is necessary, ensuring a balance between responsible lighting practices and exceptional needs. Maine's An Ordinance to Amend Zoning Ordinance Lighting Requirements and Restrictions serves as a comprehensive guide to protect the nighttime environment, reduce light pollution, and create sustainable lighting practices aligned with Maine's natural beauty and ecological conservation efforts.