CHAPTER 3-12: OUTDOOR LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
SECTIONS:
3-12-1: PURPOSE, INTENT, AND APPLICABILITY:
3-12-2: MATERIALS AND METHODS OF INSTALLATION:
3-12-4: CLASS I LIGHTING (GENERAL AND RECREATIONAL):
3-12-5: CLASS II LIGHTING (WALKWAYS AND SECURITY):
3-12-6: CLASS III LIGHTING (DECORATIVE):
3-12-7: CLASS IV LIGHTING (OFF-STREET PARKING):
3-12-10: SUBMISSION OF PLANS AND EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE:
3-12-13: PERMANENT EXEMPTIONS:
3-12-14: TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS:
3-12-15: EMERGENCY EXEMPTIONS:
3-12-1 PURPOSE, INTENT, AND APPLICABILITY:
(A) Minimize light pollution and light trespass for the enjoyment and use of property and the night environment by the citizens of the City, and
(B) Encourage the use of types, kinds, construction, installation and uses of outdoor light fixtures, lighting practices and systems which will reduce light pollution and light trespass, and
(C) Benefit astronomical research and observations, and
(D) Conserve energy while increasing nighttime visibility, utility, security and productivity.
(E) This Chapter shall apply to new construction of buildings (except for single-family residential buildings which are regulated by the ARS §49-1101 et seq.) and any new outdoor lights installed or constructed after the effective date of this Chapter (except for replacement of existing lights at the same location). (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-2 MATERIALS AND METHODS OF INSTALLATION:
This Chapter is intended to encourage the use of quality materials, methods and designs. It is not intended to prevent the use of any design, material or method of installation not specifically forbidden, provided any such alternate has been approved. The Director of Community Development or designee may approve any such proposed alternate if it meets specific requirements of this Chapter. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-3 DEFINITIONS:
ADVERTISING DISPLAY: Advertising structures and signs used for outdoor advertising purposes, not including on-premises advertising signs.
APPROVED OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURE: Lighting fixtures or luminaries approved by the Community Development Director as conforming to this Chapter.
CLASS I LIGHTING: All outdoor lighting used for outdoor retail or restaurant areas, automotive dealers (display areas only), assembly or repair areas, outdoor advertising displays and other signs, recreational facilities and similar applications.
CLASS II LIGHTING: All outdoor lighting used for illumination for walkways, equipment yards, and outdoor security.
CLASS III LIGHTING: All outdoor lighting used for decorative effects. Examples of Class III lighting include illumination of landscaping, flags, fountains, statues, and building facades.
CLASS IV LIGHTING: Lighting for all off-street parking.
DIRECT GLARE: Glare resulting from the arc tube being visible in the field of view.
FOOT-CANDLE (fc): The unit of illuminance when the foot is taken as the unit of length. It is the illuminance on a surface one square foot in area on which there is a uniformly distributed flux of one lumen, or the illuminance produced on a surface all points of which are at a distance of one foot (1’) from a directionally uniform point source of one candela.
FULL-CUTOFF: Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that the light rays emitted by the fixture are projected below a horizontal plane passing through the lowest point on the fixture from which light is emitted. Drop or sag lens type fixtures shall not be allowed.
GRADE: The average of the native ground level or the finished ground level measured at the center of all walls of the building or the adjoining parking area, whichever is closer. The height of berming and the mounding of dirt on which a light pole is placed shall be counted in the overall height of the pole.
IESNA: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, New York, NY.
LIGHT POLLUTION: Any artificial light that is emitted into the atmosphere either directly or indirectly by reflection that impacts astronomical research and enjoyment of the night sky by reflection off of dust, water vapor and other atmospheric pollutants in the sky.
LIGHT TRESPASS: Any artificial light that causes unwanted light on adjacent properties.
LUMINARIES: A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps, together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURE: An outdoor artificial illuminating device, installed or portable, used for floodlighting, general illumination or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, search-, spot- and floodlights for buildings and structures, recreational facilities, parking lots, landscape lighting, outdoor advertising displays and other signs for advertising or other uses, street lighting, walkway lighting, product display area lighting and building overhang and open canopies.
PARKING AREA: An area, other than a street, that is designed primarily for parking of vehicles.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: Parks, public, Municipal or private facilities designed and equipped for the conduct of sports, leisure-time activities and other customary and usual recreational activities. Outdoor recreational facilities include, but are not limited to: fields or stadiums for softball, baseball, football, soccer, golf courses, driving ranges and other "field sports"; and courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball, handball and other "court sports". (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-4 CLASS I LIGHTING (GENERAL AND RECREATIONAL):
(A) All luminaries shall be full-cutoff type except for the following uses:
1. Outdoor Advertising Displays Or Signage: Top-mounted fixtures are required for outdoor advertising displays and exterior lighted signage when total sign wattage exceeds 150 watts.
2. Public Or Municipal Outdoor Recreational Facilities: All lighting for field sports shall conform to the requirements of section 3-12-8 of this chapter regarding requirements for direct glare control (court sports shall use full-cutoff optics).
3. Internal Illuminated Signs: Internal illuminated signs.
(B) All projects shall document source type which shall be subject to approval by the director of community development.
(C) All class I lighting shall conform to sections 3-12-8 and 3-12-9 of this chapter.
(D) All class I lighting shall be mounted not to exceed thirty feet (30’) in height above grade.
EXCEPTIONS: 1) A maximum height not to exceed eighteen feet (18’) above grade within fifty feet (50’) of the property line which adjoins residential areas. 2) Public or municipal outdoor recreational facilities.
(E) Light levels shall conform to the IESNA recommended practices.
(F) Internally lit outdoor advertising signs with dark backgrounds with translucent lettering or symbols are preferred to minimize detrimental effects. Unless conforming to the dark background preference, total lamp wattage per property shall be less than 80 watts and transparent material shall not be used.
(Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-5 CLASS II LIGHTING (WALKWAYS AND SECURITY):
(A) All luminaries shall be full-cutoff.
(B) All luminaries used primarily for walkway lighting shall be mounted no higher than fifteen feet (15’) above grade.
(C) All class II lighting shall conform to sections 3-12-8 and 3-12-9 of this chapter.
(D) Light levels shall conform to the IESNA recommended practices. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-6 CLASS III LIGHTING (DECORATIVE):
(A) All class III lighting must be selected, installed, and aimed so that there is a minimum amount of spill beyond the area intended to be lighted.
(B) Incandescent uplight shall not exceed 150 watts per lamp and high intensity discharge shall not exceed 70 watts per lamp.
(C) All class III lighting shall conform to sections 3-12-8 and 3-12-9 of this chapter. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-7 CLASS IV LIGHTING (OFF-STREET PARKING):
(A) General Requirements:
1. When lighting is provided in uncovered parking areas, this section shall apply.
2. High pressure sodium (HPS) sources shall be used for parking areas, unless otherwise approved by the director of community development.
EXCEPTION: Other light sources may be used where class I usage occurs in the parking area; i.e., outdoor retail such as a car dealership. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3. All class IV lighting shall be mounted not to exceed eighteen feet (18’) in height above grade for multi-family residential of two (2) or more units and thirty feet (30’) in height above grade for all other uses.
EXCEPTIONS:
(a) A maximum height not to exceed eighteen feet (18’) above grade within fifty feet (50’) of the property line which is adjacent to residential areas.
(b) The maximum height of thirty feet (30’) may be extended to forty feet (40’) upon the approval of the community development director in the event that such additional height would substantially reduce the total number of lights for off-street parking in a project, and would meet the intent of this chapter, including, but not limited to, glare, reduction of light poles, uniformity of lighting and mitigation of adverse impacts. (Ord. 4130, 7-24-2001)
(B) Design Requirements:
1. All roofed and covered parking facilities shall be designed to the recommended practices of the IESNA. The remainder of this section addresses open area parking.
2. The lighting system for open area parking areas shall be so designed to produce an average maintained light level on the entire facility’s parking surface in a range from one foot-candle (1 fc) to three foot-candles (3 fc). The average-to-minimum uniformity ratio shall not exceed four to one (4:1) with a maximum fifteen foot-candles (15 fc).
3. A maximum of five (5) maintained foot-candles is permitted within fifty feet (50’) of the customer-only entrances to commercial buildings which adjoin parking areas. The fifty foot (50’) area shall be excluded from the average maintained light level for projects with adjoining parking areas of two hundred fifty (250) or more parking stalls.
4. All Class IV lighting shall conform to Sections 3-12-8 and 3-12-9 of this Chapter. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-8 LIGHT TRESPASS:
Requirements for luminaire heights, shielding, placement and aiming to minimize light trespass and direct glare emitted by a lighting system shall be as follows:
(A) Spill light on adjacent residential or unlighted properties shall be minimized by complying with the following:
1. Provide material, methods, and designs so that no more than an average maintained one-half foot-candle (0.5 average maintained fc) is measured on a horizontal plane at grade at the property line which is adjacent to residential areas, and no more than one foot-candle average maintained (1 average maintained fc) when adjacent to all other uses.
EXCEPTION: Field sports lighting.
2. Wall-mounted luminaries shall not be mounted higher above the ground than their distance to the property line unless they are mounted so as to direct the light away from the adjacent property, i.e., on a wall on the property line but directed inward. Maximum mounting height for wall-mounted luminaries shall be fifteen feet (15’).
3. Final determination as to compliance with this Section shall be based on point-by-point analysis by the Community Development Director. Refer to Section 3-12-10 of this Chapter.
(B) Direct glare shall be minimized by compliance with the following requirements:
1. The lighting system shall be designed to minimize the impact on sky glow and glare to adjacent properties.
2. The direct glare from the luminaire shall not be visible from six feet (6’) above grade at the property line.
EXCEPTION: Field sports lighting.
3. Where the adjacent property is residential and the luminaire is a decorative style (Class III), the lot line side of the luminaire is to be blocked out to eliminate spill and glare.
4. Lighting for field sports shall have a maximum of one and one-half foot-candles (1.5 fc) initial maximum vertical illuminance at six feet (6’) above grade at the property line and one foot-candle (1 fc) initial horizontal illuminance at the property line. Direct glare shall not be visible beyond one hundred feet (100’) of a playing field boundary.
(Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-9 TIME OF OPERATION:
(A) All Class I lighting shall be off between ten o’clock (10:00) P.M. and sunrise, except as follows:
1. Advertising signs may be illuminated all night;
2. Outdoor retail, commercial, assembly, repair and industrial areas may be lighted when such areas are actually in use;
3. Outdoor recreational facilities may remain lighted past eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M. in order to complete recreational activities that are in progress and under illumination at eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M.
(B) All Class II lighting may remain on all night.
(C) All Class III lighting shall be off between ten o’clock (10:00) P.M. and sunrise except for businesses during their business hours.
(D) All Class IV lighting shall be turned off at ten o’clock (10:00) P.M. or when the use of the parking area ceases. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-10 SUBMISSION OF PLANS AND EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE:
(A) The Building Department application for any required City approval involving nonexempt outdoor light fixtures not listed in Sections 3-12-13 and 3-12-14 of this Chapter shall include evidence that the proposed work will comply with this Chapter. The submission shall contain, but not be limited to, two (2) complete sets of the following:
1. The location of the site where the outdoor light fixtures will be installed;
2. Plans indicating the location, mounting height, and type of all fixtures, both existing and proposed, on the premises;
3. Point-by-point lighting level printouts with calculation areas delineated when the services of a professional electrical engineer are required or when required by the Director of Community Development;
4. A description of the outdoor light fixtures including, but not limited to, manufacturer’s catalog cuts, photometric report with candela distribution, drawings, and shielding information.
(B) The above required plans and descriptions shall be sufficiently complete to enable the City to readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this Chapter will be met. If such plans and descriptions cannot enable this determination by reason of the nature or configuration of the devices, fixtures or lamps proposed, the applicant shall submit further evidence of compliance enabling such determination.
(C) Submittal and drawings shall be sealed by a licensed professional engineer if required. Submittal must contain the name of the company that prepared the drawings and the name, title and telephone number of the person that performed the design work.
(D) All projects requiring a licensed professional electrical engineer shall be submitted with fully engineered drawings.
(E) All parking lot projects requiring a licensed electrical engineer shall be submitted with an engineered lighting plan showing point-by-point lighting levels for the entire lot with a maximum of ten foot by ten foot (10’ x 10’) spacing of calculation points. Light loss factors of .81 for high pressure sodium and .72 for metal halide shall be used.
(F) All projects resubmitted for approval shall include a written description of all changes and comments keyed and attached to the plan check comments, sealed by a licensed professional engineer if required.
(G) The Community Development Director, at his discretion, may require projects which do not meet the requirements of this Section to comply with the requirements of this Section. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-11 INSTALLATION:
The owner or contractor of record shall install the approved outdoor lighting fixtures in conformance to the listing, manufacturer’s installation specifications, and all applicable local building and electrical codes. An electrical permit and inspection by the City Building Inspections Division is required. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-12 PROHIBITIONS:
(A) Mercury vapor luminaries for use as outdoor lighting is prohibited.
(B) Operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.
(C) Wall-mounted refractor type area lights with a lens above a horizontal plane passing through the bottom of the luminaire are prohibited.
(D) Fixtures with drop or sag lens lighting are prohibited.
(Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-13 PERMANENT EXEMPTIONS:
(A) Fossil Fuel Light: All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by combustion of fossil fuels (such as kerosene lanterns and gas lamps) are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter.
(B) Holiday Decorations: Lights used for federally recognized holiday decoration are exempt from the requirements of this Chapter.
(C) Flag Lighting: Lights used for illumination of the American flag are exempted from the time of operation.
(D) Airport Lighting: Airport lighting required for safe and efficient movement of aircraft during flight, takeoff, landing and taxiing.
(E) Outdoor Advertising Signs: Outdoor advertising signs (not billboards) of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-14 TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS:
(A) General: Temporary exemptions are required for any situation that is not allowed by this Chapter where temporary lighting is required, including, but not limited to, special civic or public events, sporting events, special business events, grand openings of businesses, and construction projects.
(B) Information Required: Any individual may submit a written request to the Director of Community Development for a temporary exemption from the requirements of this Chapter. The request shall be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee if required. The request for temporary exemption shall contain the following information:
1. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
2. Location of the outdoor light fixtures for which the exemption is requested;
3. Specific exemption(s) requested;
4. Use of the outdoor light fixtures involved;
5. Duration of the requested exemption(s);
6. Type of outdoor light fixture(s) to be used, including total lumen output, mounting, aiming and character of the shielding, if any;
7. Previous temporary exemptions for that location, if any;
8. Justification for the exemption; and
9. Such other data and information as may be required by the Community Development Director.
(C) Decision: The Community Development Director shall have ten (10) business days from the date of receipt of the request for temporary exemption to approve or disapprove the request. The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing.
(D) Duration Of Approval: The exemption shall be valid for not more than sixty (60) consecutive days from the date of assurance of approval. Exemptions are renewable for a period of not more than fifteen (15) consecutive days. Requests for renewal of a temporary exemption shall require an additional filing fee. No outdoor light fixtures shall be exempted from this Chapter for more than forty five (45) days during any twelve (12) month period. However, the Community Development Director upon good cause can extend the time period for construction projects, not to exceed the contemplated completion date of said project. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-15 EMERGENCY EXEMPTIONS:
This Chapter shall not apply to portable temporary lighting used by law enforcement, emergency services personnel or public utilities to protect life or property. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-16 PENALTY:
Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter shall be guilty of a civil violation and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1-3-2 of this Code for each day that the violation continues. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)
3-12-17 SEVERANCE CLAUSE:
The provisions of this Chapter are hereby declared to be severable, and if any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Chapter shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decisions shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Chapter, but they shall remain in effect, it being the legislative intent that this Chapter shall stand notwithstanding the validity of any part thereof. (Ord. 3644A, 7-8-1997)