§ 14.91

A.

Fuel Station Canopies.

1.

Canopies shall not be transparent or translucent.

2.

Lighting fixtures in the ceiling of canopies shall be fully recessed into the underside of the canopy. All lighting fixtures shall be located to shield direct rays from adjoining properties or public rights-of-way.

3.

Lighting shall not be mounted to the top of facia of canopies.

4.

The maximum light intensity under the canopy shall not exceed an average maintained foot-candle (horizontal) of 12.5, when measured at finished grade. Luminaires shall be of a low level, indirect diffused type.

5.

No luminaire shall be higher than fifteen (15) feet above the finished grade.

6.

The fascia of such canopies shall not be illuminated, except for approved signage.

B.

Outdoor Security Lighting.

1.

All security lighting shall be controlled by a programmable motion detecting device and shall be extinguished within ten (10) minutes.

2.

Security lighting shall be downward directed, fully shielded, and not be mounted at a height that exceeds twelve (12) feet.

3.

Floodlights are not permitted.

4.

Lights intended to illuminate a perimeter are permitted only if such lights do not result in light trespass.

5.

Motion-activated security lights shall not use luminaires that exceed a maximum of one thousand six hundred (1,600) lumens.

(Ord. No. 2025-529, § 1(App. A), 4-22-2025)

A.

Modification of standards from the lighting standards provided in this chapter may be approved for private properties if approved by the development services director or their designee.

B.

Applications to deviate from the lighting standards shall include the following information:

1.

A site plan depicting the location of proposed lighting on the site; and

2.

A lighting inventory that provides, at minimum:

a.

The brightness (in lumens) and correlated color temperature (in Kelvin) of each luminaire; and

b.

The height of each fixture; and

c.

The directional angle of each fixture; and

d.

The character of shielding for each luminaire, if any; and

e.

Identification of luminaires that diverge from the standards of this chapter and are subject to the deviation request; and

f.

Detailed description of the circumstances which necessitate the deviation; and

3.

Other data and information may be required by the development services director.

C.

The deviation may be granted if the following findings are made:

1.

There are unique circumstances affecting the subject property or unique design and land use characteristics that make it infeasible or impractical to comply with strict application of the lighting

standards detailed in this chapter.

2.

The proposed deviation will achieve the intent of this chapter to the maximum extent feasible.

3.

The proposed deviation is to provide necessary security and/or safety lighting of the subject property.

D.

Notice of the development service director's decision to approve the requested deviation shall be posted by city staff or, to their discretion, the applicant, and it shall be legible and visible from the public right-ofway. Such notice shall state the decision on the application and shall provide information on the appeal process pursuant to this chapter.

E.

Appeal Procedures.

1.

An appeal of the development service director's decision shall be in writing and filed with the city clerk within fourteen (14) days after the date of the notice of the decision. The appeal shall be accompanied by a fee, as set by the city council, and shall clearly state the reason for the appeal.

2.

Upon receipt of such an appeal, the city clerk shall notify the development service director and the applicant and shall set a time for an administrative appeal hearing with the city manager as soon as practical but within thirty (30) days after the receipt of such an appeal.

3.

Notice of the appeal hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation, and state the decision being appealed, date, time, and location of the appeal hearing.

4.

The city manager shall conduct a de novo hearing of the application. At the close of the hearing, the city manager may affirm, reverse or modify the decision of the director, or refer the matter to the director for further consideration as may be directed by the city manager. The city manager's decision following the appeal hearing will be final.

(Ord. No. 2025-529, § 1(App. A), 4-22-2025)

14.91.070 - Application of chapter to existing nonconforming lighting.

A.

Effective Date. The effective date of this chapter shall be May 1, 2025.

B.

The following requirements shall apply to existing outdoor light fixtures within one year of the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived:

1.

Existing outdoor light fixtures with the ability to be redirected shall be directed downward to minimize sky glow, glare and in a manner to minimize light trespass onto adjacent properties.

2.

Existing outdoor light fixtures that have adjustable dimmers shall be dimmed to minimize glare and light trespass onto adjacent properties.

3.

Existing outdoor light fixtures that are motion sensor equipped shall be programmed to extinguish not more than ten (10) minutes after activation.

C.

Compliance Period. Notwithstanding the provisions in section B of this section, a property owner shall

comply with the remaining requirements of this chapter in association with any site improvements set forth below:

1.

Construction of a new single-family dwelling.

2.

Construction of a new residential development with two or more dwelling units.

3.

An addition to an existing residential development that within a five-year period adds and/or replaces fifty (50) percent or more to the developments existing habitable square footage that is known and provided on the latest County of Santa Clara Assessor's Office Tax Roll.

4.

Construction of a new non-residential development.

(Ord. No. 2025-529, § 1(App. A), 4-22-2025)

14.91.080 - Authority and enforcement.

A.

Authority and enforcement of this chapter shall be enforced as prescribed in Title 1 of the Los Altos Municipal Code.

B.

Each violation of this chapter shall be considered a separate offense.

1.

First violation shall result in a written warning.

2.

Second violation shall result in an infraction of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

3.

Third violation shall result in an infraction of two hundred dollars ($200.00).

4.

Fourth violation and subsequent shall result in an infraction of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

(Ord. No. 2025-529, § 1(App. A), 4-22-2025)

Nothing in this chapter is intended to or shall be interpreted as conflicting with any federal or state law or regulations.

(Ord. No. 2025-529, § 1(App. A), 4-22-2025)

14.91.100 - Severability.

If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such a decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this chapter. The city council hereby declares that it would have adopted this chapter and each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and portion of this chapter irrespective of the fact that one or more, sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof may be declared invalid or unconstitutional to this end, the provisions of this chapter are declared severable.

(Ord. No. 2025-529, § 1(App. A), 4-22-2025)

Chapter 14.93 - HISTORIC PRESERVATION