Article 12.5 — Lighting

• (a) Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose of this section to establish regulations and standards which will reduce light pollution generated by, including, but not limited to, residential, commercial, and industrial lighting fixtures and devices, minimizes light pollution which has a detrimental effect on the environment and they enjoyment of the night sky, reduce and minimize lighting and lighting practices which cause unnecessary illumination on adjacent properties, correct problems of glare and light trespass, reduce energy use, and comply with the regulations set forth in the California Building Efficiency Standards Code or successor statute.

• (b) Definitions. The terms and definitions used in this Section, are incorporated herein, and shall have the meanings set forth in this section, except as provided as follows:

Abandoned or vacant property has the same meaning as defined in Title 5 , Chapter 24 of this Code.

Community Development Director includes their designee.

Day means calendar day.

Disabling glare means glare that: (1) impairs the visibility and creates a potential hazardous situation for either pedestrians or motorists; or (2) precludes or interferes with the operation of nearby business or the provision of activities, programs or services, or enjoyment of the use on nearby property.

Foot-candle means a unit of light measurement equal to one lumen per square foot.

Glare means the brightness of a light source that causes annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance or visibility to the eye.

Light trespass means light emitted by a lighting installation, bulb, or other light device which shines beyond the boundaries of the property on which the light is installed.

Lumen means a unit of measurement of light. One lumen equals one foot-candle falling onto one square foot of area.

Luminaire means a lighting fixture complete with the light source or lamp, the reflector directing the light, an aperture (with or without a lens), the outer shell or housing for a lamp alignment and protection, an electrical ballast, if required, and connection to a power source.

Nuisance glare means a glare that: (1) creates an annoyance, discomfort, or hazard; or (2) creates an annoyance, discomfort, or impairs or impedes on a person's right to peacefully enjoy their property.

Watt means a standard unit of power (energy per unit time), the equivalent of one joule per second.

• (c) Exempt Lighting. The following outdoor lighting and lighting fixtures are exempt from this chapter:

  • (1) Fossil fuel (e.g. gas or kerosene) lamps;

  • (2) Temporary holiday or seasonal lights or decorations, for the time period commencing 30 days prior to the holiday, and extending not later than 30 days after the holiday;

  • (3) Flag lighting of 150 watts or less and which does not cause a nuisance glare as defined herein;

• (4) Exposed string or solar outdoor lighting, provided: (i) they consist exclusively of white light with a clear bulb; (ii) the installation of such lights shall be limited to the lighting of living landscape features (shrubs and trees); and (iii) all such lighting is installed in accordance with applicable safety regulations, including this chapter;

  • (5) Interior lighting, provided that overly bright interior light emitted outdoors from any structure will be subject to control by this chapter if it is determined by the community development director that the indoor lighting creates light trespass, nuisance glare, or disabling glare.

• (d) Prohibited Lighting. The following lighting systems are prohibited except as otherwise indicated:

  • (1) Aerial lasers, "search light" style lights, and flashing lights, unless they are allowed pursuant to another section of this Code.

  • (2) Lighting fixtures mounted in such a way as to illuminate a roof, or aimed towards a neighboring property line or which causes disabling glare or light trespass, as determined by the Community Development Director.

• (e) Lighting Plan Required. Except for lighting on an existing single-family residence, the submittal of a lighting plan is required as part of a development application or land use permit or clearance.

• (f) Performance Standards Applicable to all Zones. The following performance standards are applicable in all zones:

  • (1) All lights shall be directed, oriented, and shielded to prevent light trespass or glare onto adjacent properties, onto public right-of-way, other public areas, and/or driveway areas.

  • (2) Lighting shall not be directed toward or seen from any highway, freeway, or public street, alleyway, or other public path in such a manner that would result in disabling glare for drivers.

  • (3) Motion detector lighting fixtures are allowed provided that: (i) there is no light trespass or spillover onto adjacent properties; (ii) fixtures are mounted within five feet of an entrance or exit door, garage door, or alcove of a structure; (iii) installed no more than eight feet above the ground; and (iv) illuminated with a maximum of two light bulbs of no more than 75 watts each.

  • (4) Exterior lighting shall be turned off during daylight hours—hours between sunrise (dawn) and sunset.

• (g) Lighting in Residential Zones. General requirements in all residential zones:

  • (1) All outdoor lighting shall be installed and operated in conformance with this chapter, all other applicable provisions of this Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24 , Part 6, and the Uniform Building and Electrical Codes. In the event of any conflicts between this chapter and any other provision of this Code, the more stringent regulation shall apply.

  • (2) In multifamily residential dwellings or buildings, lighting for safety and/or security purposes shall be provided at entryways, along walkways, between buildings, and within parking areas.

• (h) Administration and Enforcement.

  • (1) The Community Development Director, or their designee, shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

• (2) All violations of this article are punishable as provided in Title 5 , Chapter 1 , of this Code.

(Ord. 26-981, 3/9/2026)

The display or use of temporary lighting, as defined herein, on the exterior of any building in any commercial or industrial zone, on the inside of any window of such building which is visible to the public, or on landscaping in any commercial or industrial zone, shall be subject to the limitations and standards contained in this section.

• (a) Definition of "Temporary Lighting" for Purposes of this Section. For purposes of this section, the term "temporary lighting" shall mean and include any of the following: (i) any light or lights not constructed and/or rated to be permanently installed; (ii) "strand lights" (two or more light bulbs connected along any length of wire and not contained in conduit or other rigid enclosure); or (iii) any light or lights that require an extension cord or similar nonpermanent rated means of supplying power. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any temporary lighting that has been expressly approved for any of the uses regulated herein pursuant to any other provision of this Code shall not be subject to the provisions of this section. For the purpose of regulation of signage, the term "sign" or "signs," as those terms are defined in this title, shall not include temporary lighting.

• (b) Permit Required. No temporary lights shall be displayed on the exterior of any building in any commercial or industrial zone, on the inside of any window of such building which is visible to the public, or, on landscaping in any commercial or industrial zone, without first obtaining a temporary light permit from the City. A permit shall be administratively issued by the City's Code Enforcement Department if the temporary lighting installation will be in compliance with the terms of this section. Conditions may be imposed by the Code Enforcement Department to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section. Decisions to grant or deny any such permit may be appealed to the Planning Commission by any person pursuant to the provisions of Article 19 of this chapter.

• (c) Limitation on Duration of Display. Subject to the provisions of this section, the display or use of temporary lighting is permitted for one period per year consisting of no more than 90 consecutive days. For purposes of this subsection, a "year" shall mean any 365 day period.

• (d) Limitation on Number of "Strands" Permitted. When "strand lights" are utilized, only one strand is permitted to be placed or hung on each façade wall or eave of a building, and only one strand is permitted to be placed or hung around each window and door of a building.

• (e) Limitations on Amount of Façade Area Covered by Temporary Lighting. No temporary lighting may extend more than three feet below the top edge of any front or side façade or eave of any building, except that such lights may be located around windows and doors of the buildings as otherwise specified in this section.

• (f) No Exemption from Other Regulations. Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the use or display of temporary lighting where such use or display is otherwise prohibited by this Code or any State or Federal law or regulation.

• (g) Public Property and Public Right-of-Way. Nothing herein shall be deemed to permit the installation of temporary lighting for any period of time within, across, or on any publicly owned property or public right-of-way, and the same is prohibited absent prior written consent from the City.

• (Ord. 633, § 6; Ord. 657, § 17)

§ 9-2.1252. Exposed Neon Lighting for Signs and Architectural Accents.

• (a) Policy Statement on the Use of Exposed Neon Lighting. It is the policy of the City to ensure that signs and building façades create an attractive appearance, do not negatively impact neighboring properties and improve the aesthetic character of the City. To accomplish this goal, the use of exposed neon lighting as part of a sign or as an architectural accent shall be used in moderation and only when other means of signage, illumination and architectural embellishment cannot achieve the overall architectural design for the building and necessary signage for the business. In considering whether to approve or disapprove the use of exposed neon lighting for signs or as an architectural accent, the applicant shall adhere to the following standards, and the Planning Commission shall find that the proposal conforms to the general limitations and standards specified in this section.

• (b) General Limitations and Standards. Any use of exposed neon lighting for signs or as an architectural accent shall conform to the following limitations and standards:

  • (1) The exposed neon lighting, whether incorporated into signs or as architectural accents, shall only be proposed on a portion of a building or on a building façade that is oriented towards the street or a parking lot.

  • (2) The exposed neon lighting is not used as an accent feature around or within the perimeter of storefront windows, whether or not the exposed neon lighting is located within the interior or exterior of the structure.

  • (3) The exposed neon lighting is not designed to flash, move, animate or intermittently change in illumination or color.

  • (4) When exposed neon lighting is proposed as an architectural accent or element, it shall be concealed from view whenever possible through the use of parapets, cornices or ledges. When such lighting cannot be concealed, it may be used only if the Commission finds that its use is designed to reinforce specific architectural elements of the structure, has a logical and complementary relationship to the building elevation, is consistent with the architectural design of the building, and is not proposed and used solely to attract attention to the building or its use.

r ledges. When such lighting cannot be concealed, it may be used only if the Commission finds that its use is designed to reinforce specific architectural elements of the structure, has a logical and complementary relationship to the building elevation, is consistent with the architectural design of the building, and is not proposed and used solely to attract attention to the building or its use.

• (5) Exposed neon lighting, whether incorporated into signs or as architectural accents, shall not exceed 1/2 inch in diameter and shall not be combined with any reflective material such as mirrors, polished metal, highly glazed tiles or other similar materials which would have the effect of accentuating the size, width or area of the illuminated tube.

• (6) Exposed neon lighting shall be composed of materials manufactured by a company that is registered with Underwriters Laboratories, shall not exceed a maximum of 30 milliamps per circuit, and shall be designed to accommodate a dimmer in order to reduce the brightness of the neon.

• (7) A wall sign incorporating exposed neon lighting shall only be allowed for a business suite having at least 30 linear feet of business frontage and shall not exceed one such sign per business suite. If the business suite is located on a corner and has two business frontages, with each frontage of at least 30 linear feet, one such sign may be allowed for each frontage of the business suite.

• (8) The use of exposed neon lighting as an architectural accent shall not be permitted on any business suite where the front façade of the business suite has less than 100 lineal feet of business frontage.

• (9) Only one form of exposed neon lighting, whether a neon wall sign, neon window sign or a neon architectural accent, may be used for any business suite. However, if a business suite exceeds 200 lineal feet, two forms of exposed neon lighting may be used (i.e., a neon wall sign and a neon window sign, or a neon wall or window sign and a neon architectural accent).

• (c) Procedure for Approval of the Use of Exposed Neon Lighting for Signs and Architectural Accents. Any exposed neon lighting used for signage or as an architectural accent on the exterior of any building shall be subject to design review approval by the Planning Commission pursuant to procedures contained in Article 20 of this chapter of the Artesia Municipal Code, except that the standards and criteria for approval of the signage or architectural accents shall be the general limitations and standards set forth in Subsection (b) of this section, rather than as set forth in Section 9-2.2005 . Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, window signs incorporating exposed neon lighting shall be subject to administrative review and approval by the Planning Director as provided in Section 9-2.1204(e) , and shall conform to the general limitations and standards provided in subsection (b) of this section.

• (Ord. 657, § 17)