CHAPTER 15 STREET LIGHTING

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
15.1

Title

General ....................................................................................................................... 15-1

15.1.1
15.1.2
15.1.3

15.2

Fort Collins (City Limits Only) Street Lighting......................................................................15-1

Loveland (City Limits Only) Street Lighting ..........................................................................15-1
Underground Service.................................................................................................................15-1

Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 15-1

15.2.1
15.2.2
15.2.3

15.3

Page

Residential Areas .......................................................................................................................15-2

Guidelines ...................................................................................................................................15-2
Layout Criteria ..........................................................................................................................15-2
A. Mounting Height...................................................................................................................15-2
B. Signalized Intersections. .......................................................................................................15-2
C. Railroad Crossing Lighting...................................................................................................15-2
D. Lighting in Undercrossings...................................................................................................15-2
E. Attached Sidewalks. .............................................................................................................15-2
F. Detached Sidewalks..............................................................................................................15-2
G. Drawings...............................................................................................................................15-2
H. Permission for Alternate Designs. ........................................................................................15-3
I. Fire Hydrant Conflicts. .........................................................................................................15-3
J. Roundabout Lighting............................................................................................................15-3

Lighting Systems Descriptions ................................................................................ 15-3

15.3.1
15.3.2
15.3.3
15.3.4

Refractor Style Cobra ...............................................................................................................15-3

Acorn-Style Fixture Loveland (City Limits Only) ...............................................................15-3
Old English Fixture Fort Collins (City Limits Only)...........................................................15-3
Light Types and Location of Use..............................................................................................15-3

15.4

Spacing....................................................................................................................... 15-5

15.5

Positioning at Intersections...................................................................................... 15-5

15.6

Light pole Offset Distances ...................................................................................... 15-6

15.7

Street Lighting in Medians........................................................................................ 15-6

15.8

College Avenue Special Condition ....................................................................... 15-6

15.8.1
15.8.2

15.9

LaPorte to Magnolia..................................................................................................................15-6
Other College Avenue Blocks ...................................................................................................15-6

Installation Sequence................................................................................................ 15-6

15.9.1

Fort Collins (City Limits Only) ................................................................................................15-7

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Page 15-i

LIST OF TABLES
Table 15-1 Recommended Street Illumination Levels............................................................................................. 15-4
Table 15-2 Loveland (City Limits Only) Street Light Requirements ...................................................................... 15-4
Table 15-3 Fort Collins (City Limits Only) Street Lighting Requirements ............................................................. 15-5
Table 15-4 Loveland (City Limits Only) Street Lighting Spacing........................................................................... 15-5
Table 15-5 Intersection Light Locations .................................................................................................................. 15-6

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure is Located at End of Chapter
Figure 15-1 Street Light Placement at Intersections

Page 15-ii

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Chapter 15 STREET LIGHTING

Section 15.1 General

CHAPTER 15 STREET LIGHTING

15.1

GENERAL

The Developer shall coordinate all aspects of design and installation of new or upgraded street
lighting.
15.1.1 Fort Collins (City Limits Only) Street Lighting
All street lighting of public streets in the City of Fort Collins will be designed and
installed by the City in accordance with these Standards for lighting. Exceptions to
reduce lighting requirements may be approved by the Local Entity Engineer for parts of
developments bordering rural areas.
15.1.2 Loveland (City Limits Only) Street Lighting
All street lighting of public streets in the City of Loveland will be designed by the City in
accordance with these Standards. The City will be responsible for all costs involving the
material and installation of street lights on arterial and major collector streets. On all
other streets, the Developer will be responsible for all costs involving the design,
material, and installation of street lights.
The street lighting design shall be commenced by the City of Loveland only after the
developer has provided to the City a $300 electrical design deposit, along with electronic
files of the overall utility design sheet(s) and the street plan design sheet(s). These items
must be submitted to the City prior to the submittal of any land use application that
requires the submittal of preliminary Public Improvement Construction Plans. Upon
completion of the street lighting design by the City, the design engineer shall show the
locations of all proposed street lights in the final Public Improvements Construction Plans
as described in the checklist contained in Appendix E.
15.1.3 Underground Service
Street lighting shall be installed with underground electric service on all newly developed
dedicated public streets in the City. Curb returns shall be installed after the installation of
the electrical system, including underground vaults.
The Developer is responsible for coordinating with the appropriate utility company all
aspects of design and installation.

15.2

PURPOSE

The purpose of streetlight installations shall be to illuminate the public traveled ways to a level
that provides for the safe passage of public traffic, both vehicle and pedestrian.

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Page 15-1

Chapter 15 STREET LIGHTING

Section 15.2 Purpose

15.2.1 Residential Areas

All lighting in residential areas shall be installed to minimize light shining on or
negatively affecting the neighboring residents.
15.2.2 Guidelines
Uniform lighting will be used on new roadway projects involving Arterial and Collector
streets. The guidelines shall be the IES Lighting Handbook, Fifth Edition, and the Design
Manual of the Colorado Division of Highways, most recent edition and supplemental
revisions or guidelines approved by the Local Entity. All fixtures, poles, and designs will
be reviewed and approved by the power provider.
15.2.3 Layout Criteria
A. Mounting Height.
Streetlight mounting height shall not exceed 20 feet in residential areas. In areas other
than residential, the mounting height shall not exceed 40 feet.
B. Signalized Intersections.
Signalized intersections will be lighted using combined streetlights and mast arms.
Mounting of signals will be perpendicular to the flowline.
C. Railroad Crossing Lighting.
Railroad crossing lighting will conform to the Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing
Handbook (FHWA).
D. Lighting in Undercrossings.
All bridge underpasses, where vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or equestrians may be
present, shall require lighting.
E. Attached Sidewalks.
Install street lighting behind sidewalks where sidewalks attached to the curb are used.
F. Detached Sidewalks.
For sidewalks detached from the curb, install street lighting with a minimum of 2 feet
clearance from back of curb to roadway side of support pole and 2 feet clear from all
walks (1 foot on Local Streets).
G. Drawings.
Except within the Local Entity power service territories, drawings for installations
will be prepared by the Developer with assistance from the power provider and
approved by the Local Entity Engineer prior to installation. In new subdivisions, a
street lighting plan will be required prior to approval of the subdivision.

Page 15-2

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Chapter 15 STREET LIGHTING

Section 15.3 Lighting Systems Descriptions

H. Permission for Alternate Designs.

Alternate designs for fixtures, if approved by the Local Entity Engineer, may be used
if installed in more than 20 locations.
I. Fire Hydrant Conflicts.
When locating proposed lighting, avoid possible conflicts with fire hydrants.
J. Roundabout Lighting.
Lighting columns should be arranged around the perimeter of the roundabout in a
simple ring, with the lights equidistant from the center and from each other. Lighting
should extend at least 197 feet back along each approach road. Mounting height
should be uniform throughout the intersection and not less than on any approach road.
Minimum horizontal illuminance at the curblines should be as given in Table 15-1.
The minimum illuminance required should not be less than the highest level of
lighting for any of the approach roads.
15.3

LIGHTING SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS

These lighting standards apply to all new street lighting systems.

15.3.1 Refractor Style Cobra
The refractor style cobra with a Type-3 semi-cutoff distribution pattern mounted on poles
shall be the standard construction for Collector and Arterial streets.
15.3.2 Acorn-Style Fixture Loveland (City Limits Only)
An acorn-style fixture with a Type-3 distribution mounted on poles shall be used on
Local streets.
15.3.3 Old English Fixture Fort Collins (City Limits Only)
An Old English-style fixture with a Type-3 distribution mounted on poles shall be used
on Local streets.
15.3.4 Light Types and Location of Use
Specific light types (HPS, Mercury, etc.) shall be installed according to Local Entity
requirements. Refer to Table 15-2 and Table 15-3. Poles or luminaries, that are
equivalent to those described below, may be approved by the Local Entitys appropriate
representative.

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Page 15-3

Chapter 15 STREET LIGHTING

Section 15.3 Lighting Systems Descriptions

Table 15-1
Recommended Street Illumination Levels
Street
Classification

Area
Classification

Arterial

Average
Maintained
Illuminance
Values

Illuminance
Uniformity
Ratio (Average
to Minimum)
3 to 1

Commercial

17 lx (1.7fc)

Intermediate

13 lx (1.3 fc)

Residential

9 lx (0.9 fc)

Collector

Commercial

12 lx (1.2 fc)

Intermediate

9 lx (0.9 fc)

Residential

6 lx (0.6 fc)

Commercial

9 lx (0.9 fc)

Intermediate

7 lx (0.7 fc)

Residential

4 lx (0.4 fc)

Local

4 to 1

6 to 1

Area Classification Definitions:

Commercial:

Intermediate:

Residential:
Note:

A business area of a municipality where ordinarily there are many

pedestrians during night hours. This definition applies to densely
developed business areas outside, as well as within the central part of a
municipality. The area contains land use which attracts a relatively heavy
volume of night time vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic on a frequent
basis.
Those areas of a municipality often with moderately heavy night time
pedestrian activity such as in blocks having libraries, community
recreation centers, large apartment buildings, industrial buildings, or
neighborhood retail stores.
A residential development, or a mixture of residential and small
commercial establishments, with few pedestrians at night.
Values in table assume typical asphalt roadway surface (pavement
classification R2 or R3). Consult the IES document for other pavement
surfaces.

Source:

Illuminating Engineering Society RP-8 (8).

Table 15-2
Loveland (City Limits Only) Street Light Requirements
Street Classification

Lighting System

6-lane Arterial

400-W cobra, semi-cutoff style, fiberglass pole, 38-foot

mounting height
250-W cobra, semi-cutoff style, fiberglass pole, 32-foot
mounting height
150-W cobra, semi-cutoff style, fiberglass pole, 27-foot
mounting height
70-W acrylic acorn, fiberglass pole, 15-foot mounting
height
70-W acrylic acorn, fiberglass pole, 15-foot mounting
height

2 and 4-lane Arterial

Major Collector
Minor Collector
Local/Lane

Page 15-4

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Chapter 15 STREET LIGHTING

Section 15.4 Spacing

Table 15-3
Fort Collins (City Limits Only) Street Lighting Requirements
Roadway
Classification
Residential
Local
Collector
Arterial
Intermediate
Local
Collector
Arterial
Commercial
Local
Collector
Arterial (NOT College
Avenue
Arterial (College Ave N
of Harmony Rd)
Arterial (College Ave S
of Harmony Rd)

Wattage
(HPS)

Spacing
(Feet)

FootCandles

Uniformity
Ratio

70
150
150

See Note 1
290
190

0.2
0.4
0.5

N/A
5:1
4:1

150
150
250

275
175
125

0.4
0.6
1

5:1
3:1
4:1

150
250
250

175
190
125

0.5
1.3
1

4:1
3:1
4:1

400

1182

3.5

2:1

250

1182

1.9

2:1

Where possible, streetlights shall be staggered on alternate sides of the roadway. However, for T intersections, the light
should be located on either corner of the intersection of the street that ends.
Notes:
1. Local residential streets shall have one light at each intersection. If the intersection lights would exceed 320 feet apart on a
straight street, mid-block lights shall be added so lights do not exceed 320 feet spacing. If the street has a curve, judgment shall
be used to reduce the spacing to less than 320 feet.
2. College Avenue street lighting shall be either twin lights on median mounted standards, or placed on EACH side of the street
spaced at 118 feet (not staggered). Exception: College Avenue between LaPorte Avenue and Magnolia shall have specially
designed 1000-W metal halide lighting on 100 ft. standards.

15.4

SPACING

This chapter is restricted to lighting on public streets and rights-of-way. The Designer shall
design the spacing of all street lighting according to Table 15-4.

Table 15-4
Loveland (City Limits Only) Street Lighting Spacing
Classification
Major Arterial
Minor Arterial
Major Collector
Minor Collector
Local/Lane

15.5

Luminaries
400-W Cobra
250-W Cobra
150-W Cobra
70-W Acorn
70-W Acorn

Spacing
120150
150175
150 feet
160200
160200

feet
feet
feet
feet

Layout
Staggered
Staggered
Staggered
Staggered
Staggered

layout
layout
layout
layout
layout

POSITIONING AT INTERSECTIONS

In general, the nighttime visibility of a pedestrian or hazardous object within an intersection is

enhanced by increased contrast between the object and the surrounding street area. The optimum
contrast (and hence safety) is achieved when the street lights are situated to silhouette (or
backlight) objects in the intersection. Therefore, street lights at intersections are required to be
placed on the downstream side of the intersecting street, as viewed by a motorist approaching the
intersection in the lane directly beneath the luminaries. See Figure 15-1. The positioning of light
standards at intersecting streets shall be as noted in Table 15-5.

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Page 15-5

Chapter 15 STREET LIGHTING

Section 15.6 Light pole Offset Distances

Table 15-5
Intersection Light Locations
Major Collectors/Arterials
Arterials/Arterials
Collector/Collector
Local/Collector
Local/Local
End of Cul-de-sac

15.6

4
4
2
2
1
1

lights, one on each corner

lights, one on each corner
lights, one on opposite corners
lights, one on opposite corners
light on one corner
light

LIGHT POLE OFFSET DISTANCES

Distance behind back of walk for local streets shall be at least 1 foot, and must be within
easements or right-of-way on Local residential streets. For Major Collectors and Arterials, the
light must be offset at least 2 feet from the back of curb and provide a clearance space between
the light pole and edge of walk that equals or exceeds the required sidewalk width.
15.7

STREET LIGHTING IN MEDIANS

Street trees (full shade) shall not be placed within 40 feet of a street light. Ornamental trees shall
be no closer than 15 feet to any street light.
15.8

COLLEGE AVENUE SPECIAL CONDITION

The following specifications apply only to College Avenue in Fort Collins (city limits only).
15.8.1 LaPorte to Magnolia
From LaPorte Avenue to Magnolia Street, College Avenue shall be lighted with a
minimum of four 1000-watt metal halide luminaires at each intersection. Between
intersections, there shall be one 1000-watt metal halide luminaire at 100-foot staggered
spacing or equivalent, as determined by the Light and Power Utility.
15.8.2 Other College Avenue Blocks
The remainder of College Avenue shall have a minimum of four 400-watt H.P.S.
luminaires at each intersection and twin 400-watt H.P.S. luminaires spaced at
approximately 118-feet or as determined by the Light and Power Utility.
15.9

INSTALLATION SEQUENCE

Underground electrical installation shall not begin until after curb and sidewalk is installed,
unless other arrangements have been made with the appropriate light and power department for
each Local Entity. Curb returns shall not be installed on any street until after electrical
installation, to facilitate the installation of underground vaults and other facilities.

Page 15-6

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Chapter 15 STREET LIGHTING

Section 15.9 Installation Sequence

15.9.1 Fort Collins (City Limits Only)

In Fort Collins (city limits only), refer to the City of Fort Collins Light and Power
Utilitys pamphlet entitled Electric Construction Policies, Practices and Procedures.

Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards Repealed and Reenacted April 1, 2007
Adopted by Larimer County, City of Loveland, City of Fort Collins

Page 15-7