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A. Purpose.

1. These outdoor lighting regulations are intended to encourage lighting practices and systems that will:

a. Permit reasonable uses of outdoor lighting for nighttime safety, utility, security, and enjoyment while preserving the ambience of night;

b. Curtail and reverse any degradation of the nighttime visual environment and the night sky;

c. Minimize glare and obtrusive light by limiting outdoor lighting that is misdirected, excessive, or unnecessary;

d. Help protect the natural environment from the damaging effects of night lighting;

e. Meet the minimum requirements of the California Code of Regulations for Outdoor Lighting and Signs (Title 24, Chapter 6).

2. Other laws or ordinances may require minimum illumination levels for specific applications and may conflict with these regulations. In such cases, those laws or ordinances shall govern.

B. Application Requirements.

1. Whenever a person is required to obtain a building permit, electrical permit for outdoor lighting or signage, and/or approval of any development project, the applicant shall, as a part of the application, submit sufficient information to enable the community development department to determine whether the proposed lighting complies with the provisions of this section. The application shall include the following:

a. A site plan indicating the proposed location of all outdoor lighting fixtures that are not exempted by subsection F of this section.

b. A description of each illuminating device, fixture, lamp, support, and shield. This description may include, but is not limited to, manufacturer’s catalog cuts and drawings (including sections where required), lamp types, and lumen outputs.

c. Photometric plans depicting the location of all light poles and building-mounted lighting fixtures and a maximum ten-foot by ten-foot grid of both the initial and maintained lighting levels on the site, and including impact on adjacent properties.

d. The project lighting plan shall be coordinated with any associated landscaping plan to prevent site planning conflicts.

e. Any other information the director may determine is necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

2. The director may waive any or all of these requirements if compliance can be determined based on available information.

C. Operational Standards.

1. Outdoor lighting shall be designed, installed, and maintained to prevent nighttime sky light pollution, preserve and enhance visibility of stars, and use energy efficiently by lighting only those areas or objects necessary for safety and security.

2. All outdoor lighting shall conform to the following regulations:

a. Orientation. Outdoor lighting shall be directed downward and away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way.

b. Light Trespass in Residential Zones. No lighting on private property shall produce an illumination level greater than two maintained horizontal foot-candles at grade on any property within a residential zone except on the site of the light source.

c. Light Intensity on Residential Sites. The maximum light intensity on a residential site shall not exceed a maintained value of ten foot-candles, when measured at finished grade.

d. Light Intensity on Nonresidential Sites.

i. General. The maximum light intensity on a nonresidential site, except auto sales lots and sports fields, shall not exceed a maintained value of ten foot-candles, when measured at finished grade.

ii. Auto Sales Lots. The maximum light intensity on an auto sales lot shall not exceed a maintained value of forty foot-candles, when measured at finished grade.

iii. Athletic Fields. The maximum light intensity on an athletic field shall not exceed a maintained value of fifty foot-candles when measured three feet above grade. Baseball field lighting and lighting for other recreational uses may be increased to a maintained value of one hundred foot-candles with approval of a director’s action (see Chapter 17.108: Director’s Action).

e. Hours of Operation. Outdoor lighting shall be completely turned off or significantly dimmed at the close of business hours unless lighting is essential for security or safety (e.g., illumination of parking areas and plazas).

f. Prohibited Lighting.

i. Flashing. Outdoor lighting shall not blink, flash, or rotate.

ii. Projection above Horizontal Plane. Outdoor flood light projection above the horizontal plane, as defined in subsection (D)(1) of this section and shown in Figure 3-10: Outdoor Lighting Horizontal Plane is prohibited, unless exempted by subsection F of this section.

iii. Upward Sign Illumination. All upward directed sign lighting, including illumination of billboards, is prohibited, unless exempted by subsection F of this section.

iv. Search Lights. Search lights, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity light are prohibited, unless exempted by subsection F of this section.

g. Outdoor Athletic Fields Illumination Hours. Outdoor athletic fields shall not be illuminated after eleven p.m., except to conclude a scheduled recreational or sporting event in progress prior to eleven p.m.

D. New Development. In addition to required operational standards, new development projects shall incorporate the following regulations to minimize glare and light trespass and facilitate better vision at night. See also community design guidelines for guidance on preferred fixture styles.

1. Fully Shielded. Outdoor lighting fixtures, including lighting for outdoor recreational facilities, shall be shielded with full cutoff or recessed fixtures designed and installed so that no emitted light will break a horizontal plane passing through the lowest point of the fixture (see Figure 3-10: Outdoor Lighting Horizontal Plane). Cutoff fixtures shall be installed using a horizontal lamp position.

Figure 3-10. Outdoor Lighting Horizontal Plane

2. Design. Lighting fixtures should be of a design that complements building design and landscaping and may require architectural review.

3. Height, Intensity, and Scale. Lighting fixtures shall be appropriate in height, intensity, and scale to the use they are serving. Parking lot lights shall not exceed a height of twenty-one feet, and wall-mounted lights shall not exceed a height of fifteen feet, measured from the adjacent grade to the bottom of the fixture.

4. Service Station Canopies. All luminaries mounted on the under surface of service station canopies shall be fully shielded and utilize flush-mounted canopy fixtures with flat lenses.

5. Alternate Materials and Methods of Installation. Designs, materials, or methods of installation not specifically prescribed by this section may be approved by director, subject to director’s action. In approving such a request, the director shall find that the proposed design, material, or method provides approximate equivalence to the specific requirements of this section or is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of these provisions.

E. Nonconforming Fixtures. No outdoor lighting fixture that was installed prior to the enactment of this title and was consistent with zoning regulations at the time of installation shall be required to be removed or modified. However, no modification or replacement shall be made to a nonconforming fixture unless the fixture thereafter conforms to the provisions of this section.

F. Exemptions. The following lighting fixtures are exempt from the requirements of this section:

1. Neon and Signage Lighting. Neon and other low-intensity outdoor lighting fixtures used for signage or architectural decoration that are approved through architectural review.

2. Public Rights-of-Way Lighting. Outdoor lighting fixtures on public rights-of-way; provided, that measures have been taken to reduce impacts on surrounding properties and the night sky.

3. Emergency Aviation Lighting. Emergency lighting operated by public agencies or for the purpose of aviation safety.

4. Infrastructure Construction Lighting. All temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways, utilities, and other public infrastructure.

5. Nonelectric Lighting. Nonelectric lighting such as gas lamps or kerosene lanterns.

6. Temporary and Seasonal Lighting. Temporary lighting equipment and seasonal lighting equipment; provided, that individual lamps are ten watts or less. Temporary lighting that does not comply with the regulations contained in this section is subject to the director’s review and approval of director’s action. In granting a request for approval of temporary lighting that does not comply with these regulations, the director shall make all of the following findings:

a. The purpose for which the lighting is proposed is not intended to extend beyond thirty days; and

b. The proposed lighting is designed in such a manner as to minimize light pollution and trespass as much as feasible.

7. Accent Lighting. Accent lighting for architectural features, national flags, statues, public art, signage or other objects of interest is subject to the director’s review and approval of director’s action. In granting a request for approval of accent lighting, the director shall make all of the following findings:

a. The fixture emits a very narrow cone of light for the purpose of confining the light to the object of interest; and

b. The fixture minimizes spill-light and glare.

8. Search Lights. Search lights, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity light used for emergencies by police and/or fire personnel, or at their direction, or for purposes of gathering meteorological data. Exceptions may be granted in conjunction with approved temporary lighting (see Section 17.70.100(F)(6): Temporary and Seasonal Lighting).

9. Billboards. Upgrades to existing lighting fixtures on outdoor advertising signs (billboards) that reduce light pollution are subject to the director’s review and approval of director’s action. In granting a request for approval of accent lighting, the director shall find that the level of illumination associated with the upgraded lighting fixture is not increased.

10. Decorative Patio Lighting. Low-level outdoor patio lighting, where individual lamps are ten watts or less, used by commercial businesses to provide ambiance. (Ord. 1705 § 17, 2021; Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)