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Section 140.7

California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata

PRESCRIPTIVE REQUIREMENTS

FOR OUTDOOR LIGHTING

(a) An outdoor lighting installation complies with this section if it meets the requirements in Subsections (b) and (c), and the actual outdoor lighting power installed is no greater than the allowed outdoor lighting power calculated under Subsection (d). The allowed outdoor lighting shall be calculated according to outdoor lighting zone in Title 24, Part 1, Section 10-114.

Exceptions to Section 140.7(a): When more than 50 percent of the light from a luminaire falls within one or more of the following applications, the lighting power for that luminaire shall be exempt from Section 140.7:

  1. Temporary outdoor lighting.

  2. Lighting required and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Coast Guard.

  3. Lighting for public streets, roadways, highways and traffic signage lighting, including lighting for driveway entrances occurring in the public right-of-way.

  4. Lighting for sports and athletic fields, and children’s playgrounds.

  5. Lighting for industrial sites, including but not limited to, rail yards, maritime shipyards and docks, piers and marinas, chemical and petroleum processing plants, and aviation facilities.

  6. Lighting of public monuments.

  7. Lighting of signs complying with the requirements of Sections 130.3 and 140.8.

  8. Lighting of tunnels, bridges, stairs, wheelchair elevator lifts for American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and ramps that are other than parking garage ramps.

  9. Landscape lighting.

  10. In theme parks: outdoor lighting only for themes and special effects.

  11. Lighting for outdoor theatrical and other outdoor live performances, provided that these lighting systems are additions to area lighting systems and are controlled by a multiscene or theatrical cross-fade control station accessible only to authorized operators.

  12. Outdoor lighting systems for qualified historic buildings, as defined in the California Historic Building Code (Title 24, Part 8), if they consist solely of historic lighting components or replicas of historic lighting components. If lighting systems for qualified historic buildings contain some historic lighting components or replicas of historic components, combined with other lighting components, only those historic or historic replica components are exempt. All other outdoor lighting systems for qualified historic buildings shall comply with Section 140.7.

(b) Outdoor lighting power trade-offs. Outdoor lighting power trade-offs shall be determined as follows:

  1. Allowed lighting power determined according to Section 140.7(d)1 for general hardscape lighting allowance may be traded to specific applications in Section 140.7(d)2, provided the hardscape area from which the lighting power is traded continues to be illuminated in accordance with Section 140.7(d)1A.

  2. Allowed lighting power determined according to Section 140.7(d)2 for additional lighting power allowances for specific applications shall not be traded between specific applications, or to hardscape lighting in Section 140.7(d)1.

  3. Trading of lighting power allowances between outdoor and indoor areas shall not be permitted.

(c) Calculation of actual lighting power. The wattage of outdoor luminaires shall be determined in accordance with Section 130.0(c).

(d) Calculation of allowed lighting power. The allowed lighting power shall be the combined total of the sum of the

122 2019 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

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general hardscape lighting allowance determined in accordance with Section 140.7(d)1, and the sum of the additional lighting power allowance for specific applications determined in accordance with Section 140.7(d)2.

  1. General hardscape lighting allowance. Determine the general hardscape lighting power allowances as follows:

A. The general hardscape area of a site shall include

parking lot(s), roadway(s), driveway(s), sidewalk(s), walkway(s), bikeway(s), plaza(s), bridge(s), tunnel(s), and other improved area(s) that are illuminated. In plan view of the site, determine the illuminated hardscape area, which is defined as any hardscape area that is within a square pattern around each luminaire or pole that is ten times the luminaire mounting height with the luminaire in the middle of the pattern, less any areas that are within a building, beyond the hardscape area, beyond property lines or obstructed by a structure. The illuminated hardscape area shall include portions of planters and landscaped areas that are within the lighting application and are less than or equal to 10 feet wide in the short dimensions and are enclosed by hardscape or other improvement on at least three sides. Multiply the illuminated hardscape area by the area wattage allowance (AWA) from Table 140.7-A for the appropriate lighting zone.

B. Determine the perimeter length of the general hard scape area. The total perimeter shall not include portions of hardscape that are not illuminated according to Section 140.7(d)1A. Multiply the hardscape perimeter by the linear wattage allowance (LWA) for hardscape from Table 140.7-A for the appropriate lighting zone. The perimeter length for hard

scape around landscaped areas and permanent planters shall be determined as follows:

i. Landscaped areas completely enclosed within

the hardscape area, and which have a width or length less than 10 feet wide, shall not be added to the hardscape perimeter length.

ii. Landscaped areas completely enclosed within

the hardscape area, and which width or length is a minimum of 10 feet wide, the perimeter of the landscaped areas or permanent planter shall be added to the hardscape perimeter length.

iii. Landscaped edges that are not abutting the

hardscape shall not be added to the hardscape perimeter length.

C. Determine the initial wattage allowance (IWA) for

general hardscape lighting from Table 140.7-A for the appropriate lighting zone. The hardscape area shall be permitted one IWA per site.

D. The general hardscape lighting allowance shall be

the sum of the allowed watts determined from (A), (B) and (C) above.

  1. Additional lighting power allowance for specific applications. Additional lighting power for specific applications shall be the smaller of the additional lighting allowances for specific applications determined in accordance with Table 140.7-B for the appropriate lighting zone, or the actual installed lighting power meeting the requirements for the allowance.

Note: Authority: Sections 25213, 25218, 25218.5, 25402 and 25402.1, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 25007, 25008, 25218.5, 25310, 25402, 25402.1, 25402.4, 25402.5, 25402.8, and 25943, Public Resources Code.

TABLE 140.7-A GENERAL HARDSCAPE LIGHTING POWER ALLOWANCE

TYPE OF POWER
ALLOWANCE
LIGHTING ZONE 03 LIGHTING ZONE 1 LIGHTING ZONE 22 LIGHTING ZONE 32 LIGHTING ZONE 4
TYPE OF POWER
ALLOWANCE
Asphalt/Concrete Asphalt/Concrete Asphalt Concrete2 Asphalt Concrete2 Asphalt/Concrete
Area wattage
allowance (AWA)
No allowance1 0.018 W/ft2 0.023 W/ft2 0.025 W/ft2 0.025 W/ft2 0.03 W/ft2 0.03 W/ft2
Linear wattage
allowance (LWA)
Linear wattage
allowance (LWA)
0.15 W/lf 0.17 W/lf 0.4 W/lf 0.25 W/lf 0.4 W/lf 0.35 W/lf
Initial wattage
allowance (IWA)
Initial wattage
allowance (IWA)
180 W 250 W 250 W 350 W 350 W 400 W
  1. Continuous lighting is explicitly prohibited in Lighting Zone 0. A single luminaire of 15 Watts or less may be installed at an entrance to a parking area, trail head, fee payment kiosk, outhouse, or toilet facility, as required to provide safe navigation of the site infrastructure. Luminaires installed shall meet the maximum zonal lumen limits as specified in Section 130.2(b).
  2. Where greater than 50% of the paved surface of a parking lot is finished with concrete. This does not extend beyond the parking lot, and does not include any other General Hardscape areas.
  3. Narrow band spectrum light sources with a dominant peak wavelength greater than 580 nm – as mandated by local, state, or federal agencies to minimize the impact on local, active professional astronomy or nocturnal habitat of specific local fauna – shall be allowed a 2.0 lighting power allowance multiplier.

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

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TABLE 140.7-B ADDITIONAL LIGHTING POWER ALLOWANCE FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS

All area and distance measurements in plan view unless otherwise noted.

LIGHTING APPLICATION LIGHTING
ZONE 0
LIGHTING
ZONE 1
LIGHTING
ZONE 2
LIGHTING
ZONE 3
LIGHTING
ZONE 4
WATTAGE ALLOWANCE PER APPLICATION. Use all that apply as appropriate.
**Building entrances or exits.**Allowance per door. Luminaires qualifying for this allowance shall
be within 20 feet of the door.
Not
applicable
9 watts 15 watts 19 watts 21 watts
Primary entrances to senior care facilities, police stations, healthcare facilities, fire stations
**and emergency vehicle facilities.**Allowance per primary entrance(s) only. Primary entrances
shall provide access for the general public and shall not be used exclusively for staff or service
personnel. This allowance shall be in addition to the building entrance or exit allowance above.
Luminaires qualifying for this allowance shall be within 100 feet of the primary entrance.
Not
applicable
20 watts 40 watts 57 watts 60 watts
**Drive up windows.**Allowance per customer service location. Luminaires qualifying for this
allowance shall be within two mounting heights of the sill of the window.
Not
applicable
16 watts 30 watts 50 watts 75 watts
**Vehicle service station uncovered fuel dispenser.**Allowance per fueling dispenser. Luminaires
qualifying for this allowance shall be within two mounting heights of the dispenser.
Not
applicable
55 watts 77 watts 81 watts 135 watts
**ATM machine lighting.**Allowance per ATM machine. Luminaires qualifying for this allowance
shall be within 50 feet of the dispenser.
Not
applicable
100 watts for first ATM machine,
35 watts for each additional ATM machine.
100 watts for first ATM machine,
35 watts for each additional ATM machine.
100 watts for first ATM machine,
35 watts for each additional ATM machine.
100 watts for first ATM machine,
35 watts for each additional ATM machine.
WATTAGE ALLOWANCE PER UNIT LENGTH (W/linear ft). May be used for one or two frontage side(s) per site.
**Outdoor sales frontage.**Allowance for frontage immediately adjacent to the principal viewing
location(s) and unobstructed for its viewing length. A corner sales lot may include two adjacent
sides, provided that a different principal viewing location exists for each side. Luminaires
qualifying for this allowance shall be located between the principal viewing location and the
frontage outdoor sales area.
Not
applicable
No
Allowance
11
W/linear ft
19
W/linear ft
25
W/linear ft
WATTAGE ALLOWANCE PER HARDSCAPE AREA (W/ft2). May be used for any illuminated hardscape area on the site.
**Hardscape ornamental lighting.**Allowance for the total site illuminated hardscape area. Luminaires
qualifying for this allowance shall be rated for 100 watts or less as determined in accordance with
Section 130.0(d), and shall be post-top luminaires, lanterns, pendant luminaires or chandeliers.
Not
applicable
No
Allowance
0.007
W/ft2
0.013
W/ft2
0.019
W/ft2
WATTAGE ALLOWANCE PER SPECIFIC AREA (W/ft2).
Use as appropriate, provided that none of the following specific applications shall be used for the same area.
**Building facades.**Only areas of building facade that are illuminated shall qualify for this
allowance. Luminaires qualifying for this allowance shall be aimed at the facade and shall be
capable of illuminating it without obstruction or interference by permanent building features or
other objects.
Notapplic
able
No
Allowance
0.100
W/ft2
0.170
W/ft2
0.225
W/ft2
**Outdoor sales lots.**Allowance for uncovered sales lots used exclusively for the display of vehicles
or other merchandise for sale. Driveways, parking lots or other nonsales areas shall be considered
hardscape areas even if these areas are completely surrounded by sales lot on all sides. Luminaires
qualifying for this allowance shall be within five mounting heights of the sales lot area.
Not
applicable
0.060
W/ft2
0.210
W/ft2
0.280
W/ft2
0.485
W/ft2
Vehicle service station hardscape. Allowance for the total illuminated hardscape area less area
of buildings, under canopies, off property, or obstructed by signs or structures. Luminaires
qualifying for this allowance shall be illuminating the hardscape area and shall not be within a
building, below a canopy, beyond property lines or obstructed by a sign or other structure.
Not
applicable
0.006
W/ft2
0.068
W/ft2
0.138
W/ft2
0.200
W/ft2
**Vehicle service station canopies.**Allowance for the total area within the drip line of the canopy.
Luminaires qualifying for this allowance shall be located under the canopy.
Not
applicable
0.220
W/ft2
0.430
W/ft2
0.580
W/ft2
1.010
W/ft2
**Sales canopies.**Allowance for the total area within the drip line of the canopy. Luminaires
qualifying for this allowance shall be located under the canopy.
Not
applicable
No
Allowance
0.470
W/ft2
0.622
W/ft2
0.740
W/ft2
**Nonsales canopies and tunnels.**Allowance for the total area within the drip line of the canopy
or inside the tunnel. Luminaires qualifying for this allowance shall be located under the canopy
or tunnel.
Not
applicable
0.057
W/ft2
0.137
W/ft2
0.270
W/ft2
0.370
W/ft2
**Guard stations.**Allowance up to 1,000 square feet per vehicle lane. Guard stations provide access
to secure areas controlled by security personnel who stop and may inspect vehicles and vehicle
occupants, including identification, documentation, vehicle license plates and vehicle contents.
Qualifying luminaires shall be within two mounting heights of a vehicle lane or the guardhouse.
Not
applicable
0.081
W/ft2
0.176
W/ft2
0.325
W/ft2
0.425
W/ft2
**Student pick-up/drop-off zone.**Allowance for the area of the student pick-up/drop-off zone,
with or without canopy, for preschool through 12th grade school campuses. A student pick-up/
drop off zone is a curbside, controlled traffic area on a school campus where students are picked-
up and dropped off from vehicles. The allowed area shall be the smaller of the actual width or 25
feet, times the smaller of the actual length or 250 feet. Qualifying luminaires shall be within two
mounting heights of the student pick-up/drop-off zone.
Not
applicable
No
Allowance
0.056
W/ft2
0.200
W/ft2
No
Allowance
**Outdoor dining.**Allowance for the total illuminated hardscape of outdoor dining. Outdoor
dining areas are hardscape areas used to serve and consume food and beverages. Qualifying
luminaires shall be within two mounting heights of the hardscape area of outdoor dining.
Not
applicable
0.004
W/ft2
0.030
W/ft2
0.050
W/ft2
0.075
W/ft2
**Special security lighting for retail parking and pedestrian hardscape.**This additional
allowance is for illuminated retail parking and pedestrian hardscape identified as having special
security needs. This allowance shall be in addition to the building entrance or exit allowance.
Not
applicable
0.004
W/ft2
0.005
W/ft2
0.010
W/ft2
No
Allowance

124 2019 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

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