Fowler Municipal Code Ch. 9.170 Outdoor Lighting Standards

This Chapter establishes lighting standards to maintain nighttime safety, allow for activities in the built environment after dusk, safety, and productivity; and encourage lighting practices and systems which will minimize light pollution, protect circadian rhythms, prevent glare and light trespassing, and conserve energy and resources.

The standards contained in this Chapter shall apply to the following:

A. New Uses and Buildings. All buildings approved and all uses of land established after the effective date of this Title, including single-family residential, shall comply with the requirements of this Chapter.

B. Modification to Existing Structures and Uses. Lighting shall be provided as required by this Chapter whenever an existing building is modified, a use is expanded such that it creates an increase of more than ten percent (10%) in the number of existing dwelling units for residential projects or more than ten percent (10%) in the existing square footage of commercial or industrial projects. This includes the provision of new outdoor lighting fixtures and the replacement of existing outdoor lighting fixtures in compliance with the standards contained in this Chapter.

A. Permit Required. Outdoor lighting proposed as part of new or expanded development shall be shown on the submitted site plan and reviewed for compliance with this Chapter as part of the review and approval process for the primary use.

B. Zone Clearance Required. Outdoor lighting proposed separate from new or expanded development shall be submitted for review and approval through the Zone Clearance process in accordance with Chapter 9.105 (Zone Clearance).

A. All outdoor lighting fixtures, exempt or otherwise, shall require approval of an outdoor lighting plan to verify compliance with the standards of this Chapter.

B. An outdoor lighting plan shall be submitted for review at the time of building permit and shall be approved prior to installation. At a minimum, an outdoor lighting plan shall include the following:

1. Manufacturer specifications sheets, cut sheets, and other manufacturer-provided information for all proposed outdoor light fixtures to show fixture diagrams and outdoor light output levels.

2. The proposed location, mounting height, and aiming point of all outdoor lighting fixtures.

3. If building elevations are proposed for illumination, drawings of all relevant building elevations showing the fixtures, the portions of the elevations to be illuminated, the illumination level of the elevations, and the aiming point for any remote light fixture.

4. Photometric data including a computer-generated photometric grid showing foot-candle readings every ten (10) feet within the property or site.

The following types of outdoor lighting shall be exempt from the permit requirements of Section 9.170.030 (Permit Requirements). An outdoor lighting plan in accordance with Section 9.170.040 (Outdoor Lighting Plan Requirements) shall still be required.

A. All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as kerosene lanterns or gas fixtures.

B. Holiday lighting and fixtures provided such lighting and fixtures do not remain for longer than sixty (60) consecutive days in duration.

C. Lighting for temporary uses and special events as permitted and consistent with the Fowler Municipal Code.

D. Emergency lighting operated by a public utility or agency during the course of repairing or replacing damaged facilities.

E. Emergency lighting and fixtures necessary to conduct rescue operations, provide emergency medical treatment, or address any other emergency situation.

F. Lighting fixtures within five (5) feet of an entrance or exit door and/or alcove of a dwelling unit, not exceeding a height of eight (8) feet and no greater than five (5.0) foot-candles as measured at a five-foot radius from the door and no greater than zero and five one-hundredths (0.05) foot-candle measured at the property line abutting residential uses and provided the lighting fixtures are regulated by motion detector.

G. Pedestrian lighting which does not exceed a maximum intensity of two (2.0) foot-candles.

H. Vertical lighting for a properly displayed United States flag.

The following types of lighting are prohibited, unless specifically exempted under Section 9.170.050 (Exempt Lighting):

A. Lighting that is not hooded or directed away from adjacent properties.

B. Flood lights.

C. Neon tubing or band lighting along buildings and/or structures as articulation, including signage, except as approved through Site Plan Review.

D. Search lights, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity light.

E. Lighting fixtures operated in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or danger to persons or to safe vehicular travel.

F. Illumination of entire buildings, except for public, civic, and religious buildings.

G. Roof-mounted lighting.

H. Moving, flashing, or animated lighting except as allowed per Chapter 9.185 (Sign Regulations).

The following standards shall apply to all outdoor lighting:

A. Shielding. All outdoor lighting, except as specified in Section 9.170.050 (Exempt Lighting) shall be fully shielded. Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be constructed with full shielding and/or be recessed to reduce light trespass to adjoining properties. Each fixture shall be directed away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the site.

B. Level of Illumination.

1. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to illuminate at the minimum level necessary for safety and security and to avoid harsh contrasts in lighting levels between the project site and adjacent properties.

2. Lighting sources adjacent to residential uses shall measure no more than zero and five one-hundredths (0.05) foot-candles at the rear yard property lines or at the residential structure in all other yards.

3. Controls shall be provided that automatically extinguish all outdoor lighting when sufficient daylight is available using a control device or system such as a photoelectric switch, astronomic time switch or equivalent functions from a programmable lighting controller, building automation system or lighting energy management system.

A. Residential. Pole lighting shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in height.

B. Non-residential Facilities. Outdoor lighting for safety and security purposes shall be provided at entryways, along walkways, between buildings, and within other outdoor areas open to the public.

C. Parking Lot Lighting. At least fifty percent (50%) of all lighting fixtures within parking lots or within open lot sale areas shall be turned off within one (1) hour after closing or between 10:00 p.m., whichever occurs first, and sunrise. All parking lot lighting fixtures shall be bi-level and equipped with an occupancy sensor to dim the lights down to a predetermined percentage of the maximum light available when the area is unoccupied.

D. Parks and Trail Facilities. Outdoor lighting for safety and security purposes shall be provided within public and private park spaces and along trails.

E. Recreational Facilities. There shall be no illumination of private or public recreational facilities, not including parks, unless the facilities are being used. The illumination must be turned off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. or one (1) hour after the termination of the event and/or use, whichever occurs later, and sunrise.

F. Billboards and Externally Illuminated Signs. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate any new sign comply with the standards of Chapter 9.185 (Sign Regulations).