Lighting Regulations in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina: Preserving Coastal Character While Ensuring Safety

Introduction

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, with its picturesque shores and rich coastal heritage dating back to 1725, has developed lighting regulations that reflect its unique character and environmental values. These regulations aim to balance modern needs with the preservation of the town's natural beauty and historical ambiance.

Since its incorporation in 1899, Wrightsville Beach has been a beloved tourist destination, famous for landmarks like the historic Carolina Yacht Club (established 1883) and the once-celebrated Lumina Pavilion. Today, the town continues to preserve its small-town coastal charm while implementing thoughtful regulations that protect both its human and wildlife residents.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Commercial properties must use full cut-off fixtures for parking lots and driveways
• Residential lighting limits regular fixtures to 60 watts/640 lumens (frosted) or 25 watts (clear)
• Security lighting with motion sensors limited to 45 watts/520 lumens for unshielded fixtures
• Private piers and docks require full cut-off fixtures with maximum 25-foot mounting height
• Signs may not be illuminated between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• All outdoor lighting must minimize light trespass, up-lighting, and glare
• Non-conforming lighting must be brought into compliance within 3 years of ordinance adoption

Understanding Wrightsville Beach's Lighting Philosophy

The town's lighting regulations (Article 155.9, Part III) serve multiple important purposes:

• Preserving and enhancing public safety
• Protecting drivers from disabling glare to enhance traffic safety
• Protecting marine vessels from disabling glare on waterways
• Enhancing the town's nighttime character
• Shielding neighboring properties from nuisance glare
• Reducing light pollution and light trespass
• Protecting sea turtle nesting habitats
• Promoting energy conservation

This multifaceted approach reflects Wrightsville Beach's commitment to balancing safety needs with environmental protection and preservation of its coastal character.

Commercial Lighting Requirements

Parking Lots and Outdoor Areas

Commercial properties must carefully design their outdoor lighting to provide minimum necessary illumination while preventing excessive glare and light trespass.

• All parking lot fixtures must be full cut-off that meet town standards
• Maximum pole height of 30 feet measured from the base
• Directional floodlighting must be shielded to prevent glare, up-lighting, and light trespass

Building Exteriors

• Wall-mounted fixtures must be mounted no higher than 20 feet above grade
• Ground-mounted fixtures must restrict up-lighting
• Maximum illumination level on vertical surfaces limited to 3.0 average foot-candles
• Bare light sources and decorative light strands around building features are prohibited (except for holiday lighting from Thanksgiving through January 15)

Gas Station/Convenience Store Canopies

• Fixtures above 200 watts must be recessed or flush with the canopy surface
• Maximum illumination level measured at ground level cannot exceed 10 average maintained foot-candles

Residential Lighting Requirements

Wrightsville Beach's residential lighting regulations balance homeowner needs with neighborhood harmony:

General Residential Lighting

• Regular fixtures using lamps of 60 watts/640 lumens or less for frosted incandescent bulbs or 25 watts for clear lamps may be installed anywhere
• All lighting must comply with maximum illumination standards in Section 155.9.14

Security Lighting

• Motion-activated security lights with unshielded flood/spot lights are permitted up to 45 watts/520 lumens
• These must be mounted to minimize up-lighting and light trespass
• All other flood/spot lights require top and side shields to contain light below roof line

Area and "Dusk to Dawn" Lighting

• Must be full cut-off or shielded
• Pole-mounted fixtures: maximum height of 16 feet above grade
• Wall-mounted fixtures: maximum height of 16 feet above grade or 10 feet above the lowest habitable floor for houses on pilings

Landscape and Decorative Lighting

• Quartz halogen lamps of 36 watts/110 volt system or less are permitted
• Must be installed to prevent up-lighting and light trespass
• Must be shielded to prevent view of the bulb from public right-of-way

Waterfront Lighting: Piers and Docks

Given Wrightsville Beach's coastal location, special attention is paid to lighting on piers and docks:

• All fixtures must be full cut-off or shielded
• Must be properly aimed to control glare and prevent up-lighting
• Must contain light to prevent trespass on adjoining properties and waterways
• No disabling glare that would impact boater safety
• Maximum mounting height of 25 feet above the lowest platform
• Bare light sources and festive light strands are prohibited
• Minimum illumination of 0.1 foot-candles at deck level (no less than 0.05 foot-candles)

Sign Lighting Regulations

General Requirements

• No exterior illuminated signs may remain lit between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• "Spectacular signs" (flashing, intermittently illuminated, or moving) are prohibited
• Strings of electric light bulbs are not permitted
• Display lighting must be shielded to prevent direct view from residential areas
• No intermittent lighting effects

Location-Specific Requirements

• Signs within 150 feet of residential property cannot be illuminated between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Illumination near residences must be low in power and intensity to avoid glare or offensive light

On-Premise Commercial Signs

• Lighting fixtures must be mounted at the top of the sign structure
• Fixtures must be fully-shielded to control glare
• Light must be projected below a horizontal plane through the fixture
• Maximum height cannot exceed the permitted height of the sign

Historic Landmark Lighting Considerations

For designated historic landmarks in Wrightsville Beach, lighting modifications require special approval:

• No exterior light fixtures may be erected, altered, restored, or moved until a Certificate of Appropriateness has been approved by the Historic Landmark Commission
• This certificate is required whether or not a building permit is needed
• Applications are reviewed based on design principles and guidelines adopted by the Commission and approved by the Board of Aldermen

Enforcement and Compliance

The town's approach to existing non-conforming lighting is reasonable but firm:

• Non-conforming lighting lawfully in place before the ordinance must be brought into compliance within three years
• Any lighting system that is replaced or moved must meet the new standards immediately
• Lighting causing disability glare to motorists, cyclists, or watercraft operators must be shielded or redirected within 90 days of notification
• Non-conforming lighting causing light trespass or up-lighting must be redirected within 90 days of notification

What Property Owners Should Know

Understanding these regulations helps property owners make informed decisions:

• Plan before purchasing: Choose lighting fixtures that meet full cut-off or shielding requirements
• Consider mounting height: Many violations occur due to improper mounting height
• Focus on direction: Aim lights carefully to prevent trespass onto neighboring properties
• Remember sea turtles: Wrightsville Beach's regulations specifically protect nesting habitats
• Check for updates: Regulations may change, so verify current requirements before major installations

Supporting Wrightsville Beach's Lighting Vision

Wrightsville Beach's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to preserving coastal character while ensuring safety and environmental protection. The town's approach balances the practical need for illumination with the aesthetic and ecological importance of maintaining its unique coastal ambiance.

Property owners who understand and embrace these regulations contribute to the town's distinctive character and help protect its natural resources, particularly vulnerable sea turtle populations. By working together, residents and businesses can maintain the special nighttime atmosphere that makes Wrightsville Beach such a treasured coastal destination.

Conclusion

Wrightsville Beach's lighting regulations represent a thoughtful approach to balancing modern needs with historical preservation and environmental protection. By controlling light intensity, direction, and timing, these regulations help maintain the town's coastal character while ensuring safety for residents and visitors.

Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or just visiting this beautiful coastal community, understanding these lighting regulations helps preserve what makes Wrightsville Beach special – its distinctive coastal charm, historical character, and natural environment.