ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Parking light levels.

Code or standard for min. light level for an apartment building parking lot? Sidewalks between the paking lot and building? Any thing specific in NY state?

I would check with the multi-family housing dept/codes. Also, local zoning dept may have lighting criteria that you have to follow. A lot of towns here in NJ require photometric drawings to Zoning before the Building Dept will even accept the permit application. Light trespass is a big issue. Also, liability if you do a 'design-build' is something to think about!

The code (if any) varies from region to region. Lighting levels between 2-3 footcandles (lumens per square foot) average are acceptable for parking lots in just about every area. Roughly the same for sidewalks, although again, it varies. Uniformity is generally required to be 4:1.