Clayton Municipal Code Ch. 8.09 Outdoor Illumination

Regulations of this chapter are to help prevent annoyance from outdoor illumination to persons on neighboring parcels in residential zoning districts.

(Ord. 166, § 1(part), 1977)

A. "Bulb" means the glass or glassy envelope surrounding the hot filament or glass that is the source of light.

B. "Lens" means the transparent covering over the bulb that serves to direct or diffuse the light.

C. "Shielding" means the deflecting or diffusing of light coming from the bulb.

(Ord. 166, § 1(part), 1977)

A. All private outdoor illumination used on any property in a residential zoning district shall be installed and maintained so that the bare bulb or lens shall not glare in such a way as to cause an undue annoyance to the occupants of neighboring properties, nor to interfere with their comfortable enjoyment and use of such properties. Night lighting for outdoor recreational courts shall be prohibited in residential district.

B. Outdoor illumination used on any property in a nonresidential zoning district shall be installed and maintained in such a manner that the bare bulb or lens shall not glare in such a way as to cause an undue annoyance to the occupants of contiguous lawfully existing residential property or to interfere with their comfortable enjoyment and use of such property.

(Ord. 166, § 1(part), 1977; Ord. 183, § 1, 1978)

The following are exempt from the regulations of this chapter:

A. Illuminated signs lawfully existing on business properties;

B. Post lights installed in front or side yards of residences at heights not greater than seven (7) feet above ground level, and having an illumination no greater than that equal to a one-hundred-fifty-watt (150) incandescent bulb;

C. Unshielded lights installed at heights no greater than seven (7) feet on or near front, rear, side, or garage doors or residences, commonly called "porch lights," each having an illumination no greater than that equal to a seventy-five-watt (75) incandescent bulb;

D. Lighting installed as directed or approved by a governmental agency for the public benefit and safety;

E. Emergency outdoor lighting to be used for a period no longer than four (4) days. After the four-day period, any such emergency outdoor lighting shall require a permit issued by the city manager.

F. Emergency outdoor lighting of the type generally meant to be turned on for periods of less than two (2) hours for crime prevention purposes.

(Ord. 166, § 1(part), 1977)

All outdoor lighting existing on the effective date of the ordinance adding this chapter to this code which does not conform to the regulatory provisions of this chapter shall be removed or corrected to conform with such provisions within one hundred twenty (120) days from such effective date. The city manager is empowered to grant further extension not to exceed ninety (90) days in which to bring any such nonconforming outdoor lighting into compliance with the regulatory provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 166, § 1(part), 1977)

A. The city manager is empowered to enforce the regulations of this chapter. Should he determine that any outdoor lighting exists in violation of this chapter, he shall notify the owner of the property on which the lighting exists an to remove or correct the same within ten (10) days of receipt of the written notification.

B. If the owner of the property upon which exists out-door lighting in violation of this chapter disagrees with the city manager's determination, he may appeal the matter to the planning commission for hearing.

C. A decision of the planning commission on appeal from the city manager's determination may be appealed to the city council following the appeal procedure set forth in Sections 17.68.010 et seq. of this code.

(Ord. 166, § 1(part), 1977)

Any violation of this chapter is an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in California Government Code § 36900(b).

(Ord. 166, § 1(part), 1977)