6.4 Residential Outdoor Lighting Requirements
All lighting permanently attached to the residence or to other buildings on the same lot are subject to the outdoor lighting requirements. This includes lighting for patios, entrances, balconies, and porches.
Lighting not permanently attached to a building on a single-family site, such as decorative landscape lighting, is not regulated by the residential lighting requirements. High luminous efficacy lighting and controls such as a time clock or photocontrol will save energy and ensure that lighting is not accidentally left on during daylight hours.
6.4.1 Outdoor Luminaires
All lighting must be high luminous efficacy. Table 150.0-A lists all qualifying high luminous efficacy luminaires and light sources. Outdoor LED luminaires and LED light sources installed outdoors are automatically classified as high luminous efficacy and are not required to comply with JA8.
6.4.2 Outdoor Lighting Controls
All lighting must be controlled by a manual ON and OFF control switch and one of the following automatic control types:
1. Photocontrol and either a motion sensor or an automatic time switch control.
2. Astronomical time clock control.
Any override that keeps the above automatic controls on must return to automatic control operations within six hours.
6.4.3 Internally Illuminated Address Signs
Internally illuminated address signs shall consume no more than 5 watts of power, or shall comply the with nonresidential sign lighting requirements in ยง140.8.
Example 6-12: Outdoor lighting: glare control
Question
Are there luminaire cutoff requirements for residential outdoor luminaires?
Answer
There are no luminaire cutoff requirements for residential outdoor lighting. Even though not required for most residential outdoor lighting, luminaires that limit uplight are usually more efficient at providing lighting in the required area, allowing a lower wattage luminaire to be used. Backlight, uplight, and glare requirements also reduce stray light and glare problems which can cause visual discomfort.
Example 6-13: Outdoor lighting: landscape lighting
Question
I would like to install low-voltage landscape lighting in my yard. Are these required to be controlled by a motion sensor and photocontrol?
Answer
No. The lighting requirements only apply to lighting that is attached to a building or structure. However, using photocontrols or astronomical time clock controls can save energy by ensuring that landscape lighting is not left on during daylight hours.