Chapter 23.56 — LIGHTING

Sections:

23.56.010 Purpose.

23.56.020 Definitions.

23.56.030 Multifamily and nonresidential outdoor lighting standards. 23.56.040 Single residential unit and two-unit residential exterior lighting standards. 23.56.050 Lighting prohibited.

The regulations and requirements set forth in this chapter are intended to promote and protect public health, safety and general welfare and promote the preservation of the natural nighttime outdoor environment by regulating artificial lighting. In particular, this chapter is intended to limit glare and light pollution to ensure adequate safety, night vision, and comfort. [Ord. 11-2024 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-112024; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]

Terms unique to this chapter are listed in EGMC Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions). [Ord. 11-2024 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-11-2024; Ord. 8-2011 §25(A), eff. 6-24-2011]

Except as otherwise specified herein, outdoor lighting standards listed below apply to all new multifamily residential and nonresidential development. The designated approving authority may grant exceptions to the shielding requirements, maximum level of illumination, and height of outdoor light fixtures for outdoor recreation facilities on park sites with the finding that the light impacts do not create a public nuisance for abutting residential property.

A. Shielding Required. Except as otherwise exempt, all multifamily and nonresidential outdoor lighting shall be constructed with full shielding. Where the light source from an outdoor light fixture is visible beyond the property line, shielding shall be required to reduce glare so that the light source is not visible from within any residential dwelling unit. See Figure 23.56-1. Figure 23.56-1

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Shielding Provisions for Outdoor Lighting

B. Level of Illumination. During hours of darkness, the minimum and average maintained foot-candles of light shall be consistent with the provisions listed below. A point-by-point photometric calculation listing the number, type, height, and level of illumination of all outdoor lighting fixtures shall be required in conjunction with the development permit application and prior to issuance of a building permit or site improvement plans to ensure compliance with these provisions.

1. Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures/areas, public phones, and group mailboxes shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one (1 fc) foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed four (4 fc) foot-candles of light.

2. Pedestrian walkways shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one-half (0.5 fc) foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed two (2 fc) foot-candles of light.

3. Exterior doors of nonresidential structures shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness with a minimum maintained one (1 fc) foot-candle of light, measured within a five (5' 0") foot radius on each side of the door at ground level.

4. In order to minimize light trespass on abutting residential, agricultural-residential, and agricultural property, illumination measured at the nearest residential structure or rear yard setback line shall not exceed the moon’s potential ambient illumination of one-tenth (0.1 fc) foot-candle.

C. Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures. The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures for development abutting residential, agricultural-residential, and agricultural property shall be twenty (20' 0") feet. Additionally, exterior lighting within multifamily developments shall have a maximum height of fourteen (14' 0") feet. However, the designated approving authority may grant exceptions to this height restriction in conjunction with design review if the proposed lighting plan has negligible light glare and spill impacts on adjoining residential properties. Otherwise, the maximum height for freestanding outdoor light fixtures shall be thirty (30' 0") feet.

ments shall have a maximum height of fourteen (14' 0") feet. However, the designated approving authority may grant exceptions to this height restriction in conjunction with design review if the proposed lighting plan has negligible light glare and spill impacts on adjoining residential properties. Otherwise, the maximum height for freestanding outdoor light fixtures shall be thirty (30' 0") feet.

D. Type of Illumination. All new outdoor lighting fixtures shall be energy efficient with a rated average bulb life of not less than ten thousand (10,000) hours.

E. Hours of Illumination. Automatic timing devices shall be required for all new outdoor light fixtures with off hours (exterior lights turned off) between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. However, outdoor lights may remain on during the required off hours when:

1. The hours of operation of the associated use extend into the required off hours (lighting may stay on during the hours of operation of the use);

2. Illuminating flags representing country, state, or other civic entity (also see EGMC Section 23.62.090 (B)(4)); and

3. Functioning as security lighting (e.g., illuminating a pathway, building entry, etc.).

• F. Outdoor Sports Field/Outdoor Performance Area Lighting.

1. The mounting height of outdoors sports field and outdoor performance area lighting fixtures shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the designated approving authority.

2. The hours of operation for the lighting system for any game or event shall not exceed one (1) hour after the end of the event.

G. Auto and Vehicle Rental and Sales Uses. Auto and vehicle display areas shall have a minimum maintained one (1 fc) foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed thirty (30 fc) foot-candles of light. Illumination standards for all other areas outlined in subsection (B) of this section shall be adhered to.

H. Architectural/Landscape Lighting. Outdoor light fixtures used to illuminate architectural and landscape features shall use a narrow cone of light for the purpose of confining the light to the object.

I. Sign Lighting. The artificial illumination of signs, both from an internal or external source, shall be designed to eliminate negative impacts on surrounding rights-of-way and properties, and shall comply with EGMC Chapter 23.62, Signs on Private Property. [Ord. 11-2024 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-11-2024; Ord. 6-2019 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 4-26-2019; Ord. 20-2017 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 10-13-2017; Ord. 8-2011 §§25(B), (C), eff. 6-24-2011; Ord. 28-2007 §3, eff. 10-26-2007; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]

A. Standards. Exterior lighting for single residential units and two-unit residential shall be subject to the following standards:

1. Attached Exterior Lighting Fixtures.

a. Attached exterior lighting fixtures on primary or accessory structures shall not exceed the height of the eave of the roof of the building or structure to which the lighting is attached.

b. Bulbs installed in attached exterior lighting fixtures may not exceed one thousand six hundred (1,600) lumens unless the light fixture is full cutoff.

2. Freestanding Exterior Lighting Fixtures.

a. Except as otherwise set forth in this section, freestanding exterior lighting fixtures shall be full cutoff, shall not exceed a height of 12 feet (12' 0") feet, and shall not exceed one thousand six hundred (1,600) lumens.

b. Freestanding exterior lighting fixtures with a height between 12 feet (12' 0") and 20 feet (20' 0") may be approved through minor design review with the submittal of a point-by-point photometric calculation listing the number, type, height, and level of illumination of all outdoor lighting fixtures. In such cases, illumination measured at any shared property line shall not exceed the moon’s potential ambient illumination of one-tenth (0.1 fc) foot-candle. All freestanding lighting fixtures exceeding a height of 12 feet (12' 0") shall be full cutoff (no light above ninety (90) degrees) and require automatic timing devices with off hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. every day.

• B. Exemptions. The following exterior lighting types are allowed by right and are exempt from the standards set forth in subsection (A) of this section:

1. Temporary (maximum ninety (90) consecutive days) lighting used for seasonal decoration.

2. Low voltage landscape lighting less than fifteen (15) volts.

3. Outdoor string lighting with bulbs not exceeding one hundred forty (140) lumens per bulb.

4. Exterior lighting fixtures existing and legally installed prior to the effective date of this section are exempt from the requirements of this section pursuant to the provisions of EGMC Chapter 23.84 (Nonconforming Uses, Buildings, and Structures). [Ord. 11-2024 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-11-2024]

The following outdoor light fixtures shall be prohibited as specified below. Existing light fixtures legally permitted or authorized prior to adoption of this chapter may be maintained pursuant to EGMC Chapter 23.84 (Nonconforming Uses, Buildings, and Structures).

• A. Neon tubing or band lighting along building structures used in lieu of articulation is prohibited. Accent eave lighting where the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way is allowed.

B. Searchlights.

• C. Illumination of entire buildings. Building illumination shall be limited to security lighting and lighting of architectural features authorized by the designated approving authority in conjunction with the required development permit(s).

• D. In multifamily residential and nonresidential development, roof-mounted lights except for security purposes with motion detection and full shielding (so that the glare of the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way).

• E. Any light that imitates or causes visual interference with a traffic signal or other necessary safety or emergency light.

F. No permanently installed exterior lighting shall continuously blink or flash for any single unit residential development. Exterior temporary (maximum ninety (90) consecutive days) lighting for seasonal decoration is permitted. [Ord. 11-2024 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-11-2024; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006. Formerly 23.56.040] Home Previous Next

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