Lighting Regulations in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina: Preserving Dark Skies in a Historic Coastal Community

Introduction: Why Lighting Matters in Kill Devil Hills

Kill Devil Hills holds a significant place in American history as the site where the Wright brothers achieved the first controlled, powered airplane flights on December 17, 1903. Though the town wasn't officially incorporated until 1953, it has grown around this landmark event, with the Wright Brothers National Memorial standing as a testament to this pioneering achievement.

Today, this coastal community of just over 7,000 residents balances its historical significance with modern development while preserving its natural beauty. The town's approach to outdoor lighting reflects these values, with regulations designed to minimize light pollution and maintain the character of this unique Outer Banks destination.

Kill Devil Hills' lighting regulations serve multiple purposes: ensuring safety, reducing glare, preventing light trespass onto neighboring properties, and preserving the area's dark skies – a feature that makes the Outer Banks a popular destination for stargazers.

Quick Reference Guide to Kill Devil Hills Lighting Regulations

• Required Documentation: Commercial properties must provide lighting plans created by a licensed NC engineer or architect
• Light Trespass: No lighting may project onto surrounding residential properties
• Installation Requirements: All wiring for outdoor lighting must be placed underground
• Wind Resistance: Fixtures must withstand winds up to 110 mph
• Inspection: All outdoor lighting fixtures may be subject to annual inspection
• Prohibited Lighting: No flashing lights, searchlights, or fixtures causing glare
• Height Restrictions: Light fixtures cannot exceed building height limits (school athletic facilities exception: 90 feet max)

General Lighting Requirements

Lighting Plan Requirements

Any commercial property in Kill Devil Hills must submit a detailed lighting plan created by an engineer or architect licensed in North Carolina. These plans must include the professional's stamp/seal and demonstrate compliance with all applicable lighting regulations.

Single-family dwellings and duplex dwellings are exempt from this requirement.

Light Containment and Orientation

The town's regulations place a strong emphasis on containing light within property boundaries:

• No light trespass: All light produced on-site must be contained within the property perimeter
• Directional control: Lighting must be arranged to direct light and glare away from streets and adjacent properties
• Principal buildings: Commercial or industrial buildings must be lighted on all sides for security at permitted intensity levels

Installation and Safety Standards

To ensure safety and aesthetic quality:

• Underground wiring: All outdoor lighting wiring must be placed underground
• Wind resistance: Lighting fixtures must be designed to withstand wind velocities of 110 mph
• Height restrictions: Fixtures cannot exceed building height limits for their zone (with limited exceptions)

Permitted Light Levels by Location

Kill Devil Hills regulations specify detailed footcandle requirements for different areas. A footcandle is a measure of light intensity - one footcandle equals one lumen per square foot.

Building Exteriors

• Loading platforms: 10 footcandles
• Commercial entrances: 5 footcandles
• Inactive storage areas: 1 footcandle
• Architectural lighting: 1 footcandle
• Security lighting (commercial/industrial): 1 footcandle
• Walkways and roads: 1 footcandle

Recreational Areas

• School athletic facilities: 40-50 footcandles
• Baseball/football/soccer fields: 20 footcandles
• Tennis/handball/volleyball courts: 20 footcandles
• Basketball courts/playgrounds: 10 footcandles
• Swimming pools/miniature golf: 10 footcandles
• Fishing pier: 10 footcandles
• Roller hockey/skateboard parks: 40-50 footcandles
• Marinas: 2 footcandles

Commercial Areas

• Drive-in restaurants: 7-10 footcandles
• Retail uses: 4-7 footcandles
• Commercial parking lots: 4-7 footcandles
• Hotels and motels: 4-7 footcandles
• Places of worship: 0.5-7 footcandles
• Event gardens: 1.0-4.0 footcandles
• Industrial and warehouses: 0.5-1 footcandle
• Multi-family residential: 0.5-1 footcandle

Important Note: Within any 1,000 square foot area, lighting intensity levels cannot exceed twice the maximum footcandle allowed for the respective use.

Prohibited Lighting

Kill Devil Hills expressly prohibits several types of lighting to maintain safety and community aesthetics:

Traffic Safety Concerns

• No imitation of official highway or traffic-control lights
• No fixtures in direct line of vision with traffic-control signs or lights
• No fixtures causing glare onto streets or adjacent properties

Aesthetics and Light Pollution

• No flashing or intermittent illumination
• No searchlights (except when used by government authorities)
• No fixtures in public right-of-way without approval
• All neon lighting prohibited (with specific exceptions noted below)

Special Lighting Allowances

LED String Accent Lighting

LED string accent lighting is permitted in Commercial Zoning Districts under specific conditions:

• Definition: Continuous lines of LED lighting no greater than two inches in diameter
• Placement: Must be parallel to the ground (no outlining shapes)
• Limitations: One structure per site, maximum of two lines separated by no more than four feet
• Color: Limited to one color per commercial site
• Height: Cannot exceed 15 feet from finished grade
• Installation: Must be permanently affixed to the structure (no temporary or adhesive attachments)
• Maintenance: Must be properly maintained; partially lit or malfunctioning strings must be turned off until repaired

Café Style Lighting

String lights are permitted in commercial zones for outdoor dining or waiting areas:

• Bulb size: Bulbs must be greater than two inches
• Configuration: Must be parallel to ground with one continuous string
• Color: Limited to one color per commercial site
• Height: Maximum 15 feet from finished grade
• Attachment: Must be permanently attached to primary structure, accessory structure, or permanent pilings/poles
• Placement: Cannot be located within required parking, drive aisles, or landscaping buffers

Seasonal Lighting

Strings of electric light bulbs are permitted on commercial sites only during:

• November 22 through January 7
• July 2 through July 6

Signage Lighting Regulations

Neon and LED Signage

• Small neon signs: Permitted up to 2 square feet for "Open," "Closed," or "No Vacancy" only
• Neon signage: Internal illumination visible from right-of-way limited to 20 square feet
• Restrictions: Cannot suggest movement, be animated, or blink on and off

Project Signage

For Planned Unit Development (PUD) signage:

• Project master signs: Maximum of three low-wattage (75W or less) external spotlights per side
• Project village signs: Maximum of two low-wattage (75W or less) external spotlights per side
• Shielding: Lighting must be shielded to prevent direct view from residences or streets

Special Use Requirements

Sexually Oriented Businesses

• Interior lighting: Minimum 5 footcandles measured at floor level in all patron-accessible areas
• Theater lighting: Minimum 5 footcandles in accessible areas, minimum 0.5 footcandles in seating areas
• Documentation: A fully detailed lighting plan must be included with the commercial site plan
• Signage: Signs cannot include flashing lights

Towers and Wind Turbines

• No lighting permitted on towers or wind turbines unless required by FAA regulations

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance and Enforcement

The Planning and Inspections Department may conduct annual inspections of outdoor lighting fixtures to ensure compliance with regulations. Non-compliant fixtures must be brought into compliance or removed within 30 days of written notice.

Planning for New Construction

When planning new construction or renovations that include exterior lighting in Kill Devil Hills:

1. Consult professionals: Work with a licensed NC engineer or architect to develop your lighting plan
2. Consider neighbors: Design lighting to prevent spillover onto adjacent properties
3. Follow footcandle limits: Ensure your lighting meets the specific requirements for your property type
4. Choose compliant fixtures: Select fixtures that contain light within your property boundaries
5. Maintain documentation: Keep copies of your approved lighting plans

Supporting Kill Devil Hills' Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the importance of preserving community character while meeting modern lighting needs. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with experience in coastal communities, we appreciate Kill Devil Hills' efforts to balance safety, functionality, and preservation of its historic character and natural beauty.

We recognize that Kill Devil Hills' lighting regulations reflect its unique position as both a historic landmark and a coastal community that values its dark skies and natural environment. Our commitment to responsible lighting practices aligns with the town's vision of maintaining its distinctive character.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners and businesses navigating lighting regulations, helping communities like Kill Devil Hills preserve their unique character while meeting modern lighting needs.

Conclusion

Kill Devil Hills' lighting regulations reflect its commitment to preserving its unique coastal character and historical significance. By carefully regulating exterior lighting, the town maintains safety standards while preventing light pollution that would diminish the natural beauty of this Outer Banks community.

Property owners and businesses should work closely with licensed professionals to ensure their lighting plans comply with these regulations, creating a community that respects both its neighbors and its historical legacy as the birthplace of powered flight.

Understanding and following these lighting standards helps preserve the character that makes Kill Devil Hills a special place to live and visit, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its unique blend of historical significance and natural coastal beauty.