Chapter 17.56
LIGHTING
Sections:
17.56.020 Outdoor Lighting Standards
17.56.010 Purpose:
The regulations and requirements set forth in this chapter are intended to promote and protect public health, safety and general welfare and promote the preservation of natural nighttime outdoor environment by regulating artificial lighting. In particular, this chapter is intended to limit glare and light pollution to ensure adequate safety, night vision, and comfort. (Ord. 473 §3, 2007)
17.56.020 Outdoor Lighting Standards:
Except as otherwise specified herein, outdoor lighting standards listed below apply to all new multi-family residential, and nonresidential development. The designated approving authority may grant exceptions to the shielding requirements, maximum level of illumination, and height of outdoor light fixtures for outdoor recreation facilities on park sites with the finding that the light impacts do not create a nuisance for abutting residential property.
A. Shielding Required: Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be constructed with full shielding. Where the light source from an outdoor light fixture is visible beyond the property line shielding shall be required to reduce glare so that the light source is not visible from within any residential dwelling unit. Outdoor lighting for single-family residential use shall be located and/or shielded in a manner to ensure that the intensity and direction of exterior and security lighting does not constitute a nuisance to abutting residential dwellings.
B. Level Of Illumination: During hours of darkness, the minimum and average maintained foot-candles of light shall be consistent with the provisions listed below. A point by point photometric calculation listing the number, type, height, and level of illumination of all outdoor lighting fixtures shall be required in conjunction with the development permit application and prior to issuance of a building permit or site improvement plans to ensure compliance with these provisions.
1. Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures/areas, public phones, and group mailboxes shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed four (4.0) foot-candles of light.
2. Pedestrian walkways shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one-half (0.5) foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed two (2.0) foot-candles of light.
3. Exterior doors of nonresidential structures shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness, with a minimum maintained one foot-candle of light, measured within a five foot (5') radius on each side of the door at ground level.
4. In order to minimize light trespass on abutting residential property, illumination measured at the nearest residential structure or rear yard setback line shall not exceed the moon’s potential ambient illumination of one-tenth (0.1) foot-candle.
C. Maximum Height Of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures: The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures for development abutting residential property shall be twenty feet (20'). Otherwise, the maximum height for freestanding outdoor light fixtures shall be twenty five feet (25').
D. Type Of Illumination: All new outdoor lighting fixtures shall be energy efficient with a rated average bulb life of not less than ten thousand (10,000) hours.
E. Hours Of Illumination: Automatic timing devices shall be required for all new outdoor light fixtures with off hours (exterior lights turned off) between eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M. and six o’clock (6:00) A.M. However, outdoor lights may remain on during business hours of operation for security purposes (e.g., to illuminate walkways, roadways, equipment yards, and parking lots). Outdoor lights may also remain on to illuminate flags representing a country, state, or other civic entity.
F. Outdoor Sports Field/Outdoor Performance Area Lighting:
1. The mounting height of outdoors sports field and performance area lighting fixtures shall be reviewed on a case by case basis by the designated approving authority.
2. The hours of operation for the lighting system for any game or event shall not exceed one hour after the end of the event.
G. Architectural/Landscape Lighting: Outdoor light fixtures used to illuminate architectural and landscape features shall use a narrow cone of light for the purpose of confining the light to the object.
H. Sign Lighting: The artificial illumination of signs, both from an internal or external source, shall be designed to eliminate negative impacts on surrounding rights of way and properties, and shall comply with chapter 17.62. "Signs", of this title. (Ord. 473 §3, 2007)
17.56.030 Lighting Prohibited:
The following outdoor light fixtures shall be prohibited as specified below. Existing light fixtures legally permitted or authorized prior to adoption of this title may be maintained.
A. Neon tubing or band lighting along building structures as articulation.
B. Searchlights.
C. Illumination of entire buildings. Building illumination shall be limited to security lighting and lighting of architectural features authorized by the designated approving authority in conjunction with the required development permit(s).
D. Roof mounted lights except for security purposes with motion detection and full shielding so that the glare of the light source is not visible from any public right of way.
E. Any light that imitates or causes visual interference with a traffic signal or other necessary safety or emergency light. (Ord. 473 §3, 2007)