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[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Rockport as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-24-2001 ATM; amended 9-11-2017; 9-11-2023 STM (Ch. 14E, Sec. 6, of the 1997 Code of By-laws)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COLOR TEMPERATURE (OF A LIGHT SOURCE)
The temperature at which an opaque and nonreflective object will radiate light of a color comparable to that of the light source. Color temperature is expressed in Kelvins (K). Light sources with higher color temperatures contain more blue light than light sources with lower color temperatures and appear brighter to the human eye, all other conditions being equal.
FLOODLIGHT
A broad-beamed high-intensity luminaire.
FULL-CUTOFF (FULLY SHIELDED)
A luminaire that is constructed and installed so that no light is emitted at any angle above a horizontal plane passing through the lowest light-emitting part (including refractors, reflectors, translucent panels) of said luminaire to a point five feet above grade at the property line as might be viewed at that height by an observer standing at that place. Clear panels that scatter light, such as seeded glass, are considered refractors. Only opaque, nonreflective, and clear nonscattering materials are not considered light-emitting parts.
LIGHT SOURCE (also referred to as a BULB or LAMP)
The component of a luminaire that produces light.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Illumination from a luminaire being cast where it is neither wanted nor needed, going beyond the lot lines of the lot on which the luminaire is located, at a level greater than the ambient illumination level as measured at the lot line in a horizontal and vertical plane.
LUMINAIRE
A complete lighting unit, consisting of light sources, ballast (when applicable), and any part designed to distribute the light, position the unit, protect the light sources (housing), and connect to the power supply. Spotlights and floodlights which are further defined are included in this general definition as well.
MOTION DETECTOR (also referred to as a MOTION SENSOR)
Any electronic device capable of detecting physical motion within the environment being monitored. For the purposes of this by-law, said motion detector shall be used to trigger one or more luminaires into operation and to maintain it or them in the illuminated state for a preset time interval, after which said illumination shall be extinguished.
SPOTLIGHT
A high-intensity luminaire projecting a sharply focused beam of light.
The regulations set forth below shall apply to all exterior residential luminaires unless otherwise exempt under § 235-3 hereinafter set forth:
A. 
All luminaires shall emit a steady and constant light while powered on unless exempt under § 235-3.
B. 
Luminaires shall be full-cutoff design.
C. 
All luminaires and light sources shall not exceed 2,750 K color temperature.
D. 
Luminaires shall be oriented such that light trespass will not occur beyond all adjacent property lines.
A. 
Temporary holiday lighting is exempt from these regulations.
B. 
Existing luminaires which are not in compliance with § 235-2 as of its effective date September 11, 2017, shall nevertheless be considered in compliance so long as:
(1) 
Luminaires are fully shielded, and do not exceed 3,000 K; or
(2) 
Luminaires other than floodlights and spotlights (to which this exemption does not apply) are also exempt if they conform with either of the following alternative requirements:
(a) 
Remains extinguished between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
(b) 
Only operate for five minutes maximum and only when triggered by a motion detector.
(c) 
When said existing luminaires and light sources are replaced, they must be updated to comply with § 235-2 of this by-law.
[Amended 9-8-2025 FTM by Art. S]
The Building Inspector shall enforce this by-law through complaint resolution or other means under the Inspection Services Department policies.