Chapter 17.30
RECREATIONAL COURTS
Sections:
17.30.020 Minimum standards required.
17.30.010 Generally.
The following regulations are established for the construction of recreational courts including but not limited to tennis, paddle tennis and other similar uses:
A. Unlighted private recreational courts may be permitted as an accessory use in single-family zones, subject to the standards contained in PMC 17.30.020.
B. Private recreational courts with exterior lighting may be permitted as an accessory use in single-family zones subject to the approval of a minor conditional use permit and to required findings by the City Council in accordance with PMC 17.48.070.
C. Private recreational courts, lighted or unlighted, may be permitted as an accessory use in multifamily zones subject to the approval of a development review by the City Council.
D. Public or semipublic recreational courts may be approved in any zone subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit and to required findings by the City Council in accordance with PMC 17.48.070.
E. The terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in PMC 13.15.020. (Ord. 869 § 7, 2024; Ord. 832 § 4, 2019; Ord. 518, 1999; Ord. 252 § 1, 1988; Ord. 206 § 1 (Exh. A), 1986; Ord. 113 § 1 (Exh. A 6.2), 1983)
17.30.020 Minimum standards required.
Recreational courts shall meet the following minimum standards:
A. A maximum 10-foot-high fence (measured from the finished grade of the court) shall be allowed for private courts and a maximum 12-foot-high fence shall be allowed for commercial and public courts.
B. Setbacks for the court shall be:
1. Side yard, 10 feet;
2. Rear yard, 10 feet.
C. Maximum of eight lights permitted, height not to exceed 18 feet. All lights and light fixtures shall be certified by the installation contractor to:
1. Be designed, constructed, mounted and maintained such that the light source is cut off when viewed from any point above five feet measured at 10 feet from the edge of the court;
2. Be designed, constructed, mounted light shields installed and maintained such that the maximum illumination intensity measured at the property line shall not exceed one-half foot-candle above ambient light levels;
3. Be used only between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
D. The surface area of any recreational court shall be designed, painted, colored and/or textured to reduce the reflection from any light incident thereon.
E. The fencing, support posts, light poles and fixtures shall be painted a dark nonreflective color so as to reduce their overall visibility. Vinyl-coated chain link fencing with fence and light poles painted to match is acceptable.
F. Landscaping shall be installed between the fence and property line. It shall include fast-growing evergreen canopy type trees, planted one each adjacent to light poles so as to obscure views of the pole and light from neighboring properties. Dense screening planting is required to be installed in the setback area adjacent to the outside of the court fencing, to the satisfaction of the Director of Development Services.
G. Light fixtures are restricted to 1,000-watt high-pressure sodium, narrow spectrum amber light emitting diode (LED) which does not exceed a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3,000 Kelvin or other similar directional energy efficient light.
H. The City Council or Director of Development Services may require more stringent standards than the above in cases where extraordinary site conditions necessitate. Lighting shall comply with guidelines outlined in the Poway Subarea Habitat Conservation Plan and subsequent amendments.
I. All outdoor light fixtures shall be equipped with photocell devices so that such lighting is turned off during daylight hours as much as practical.
J. In order to preserve the night sky, the types, locations and controlling devices of outdoor light fixtures shall minimize glare, upward light, artificial sky glow, and light pollution and light trespass (spill-over) onto adjacent properties. External visors and/or internal louvers shall be used to reduce spill light, light trespass, sky glow, and glare impacts to the maximum extent feasible especially onto adjacent properties and adjacent sensitive habitats. (Ord. 832 § 4, 2019; Ord. 518, 1999; Ord. 461 § 2, 1996; Ord. 206 § 1 (Exh. A), 1986; Ord. 162 § 1, 1985; Ord. 113 § 1 (Exh. A 6.2), 1983)