Menifee Zoning Code Ch. 9.205 Lighting Standards

Contents:

9.205.010 Purpose

9.205.020 Applicability

9.205.030 Permit Requirements

9.205.040 Exempt Lighting

9.205.050 Prohibited Lighting

9.205.060 General Lighting Standards

9.205.070 Outdoor Lighting Plan Requirements

This chapter establishes lighting standards to encourage effective, nondetrimental lighting; maintain nighttime safety, utility, security and productivity; and encourage lighting practices and systems which will minimize light pollution, prevent glare and light trespass, conserve energy and resources, and curtail the degradation of the nighttime visual environment, and preserve the visibility of night skies in accordance with the Lighting Standards requirements set forth in Chapter 6.01 (Dark Sky, Light Pollution) of this Code. If there is any conflict between this Chapter and Chapter 6.01, the more restrictive shall apply.

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

1. Lighting plan. All residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use and public/quasi-public uses require approval of a lighting plan by the designated approving authority.
2. New uses and buildings. All buildings erected 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.
3. Modification to existing structures and uses. Lighting shall be provided as required by this chapter whenever an existing building is modified, or a use is expanded such that it creates an increase of more than 10% in the number of existing dwelling units for residential projects or more than 10% in the existing square footage of commercial or industrial projects, or where an amendment or modification would have a measurable impact on abutting property or public views.

Lighting is an integral component of nearly every development plan. Unless otherwise exempt, as outlined in Section 9.150.030 (Exempt Lighting), all outdoor lighting fixtures for new multifamily residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use and public/quasi-public uses require approval of a lighting plan by the designated approving authority. Such approval shall be granted in conjunction with the required land use and development permits for a project. Any retrofit or amendment to an existing site and/or building lighting that would have a measurable impact on abutting property or views from the street right-of-way as determined by the Community Development Director shall require plot plan approval pursuant to Chapter 9.80

The following items shall be exempt from review requirements:

1. All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as kerosene lanterns or gas fixtures.
2. Temporary lights used for holiday decorations.
3. Lighting for temporary uses and special events permitted consistent with this code.

The following types of lighting are prohibited:

1. Lighting that is not aimed directly down, or unshielded lighting or any light source that is directly visible from a distance of 25 feet or more.
2. Flood lights.
3. Neon tubing or band lighting along buildings and/or structures as articulation, except as approved through plot plan approval.
4. Search lights, laser source lights or any similar high-intensity light, except for emergency use by police or fire personnel at their discretion, or for lighting approved by the City for a temporary event.
5. Lighting fixtures operated in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or danger to persons or to safe vehicular travel.
6. Illumination of entire buildings, except for public, civic and religious buildings.
7. Roof-mounted lighting except for security purposes.
8. Moving, flashing or animated lighting.

Exterior lighting shall be minimized to prevent glare and minimize reflected, ambient light so as to maintain visibility of the night skies. Lighting should be limited to only areas necessary for safety, security and to compliment architectural character. Low-power, even and balanced lighting shall be utilized to avoid high contrast between more and less brightly lighted or unlighted areas which create dark pockets or oversaturate one area with a “fish bowl” effect, and the escalation of lighting levels.

The following standards shall apply to all outdoor lighting:

1. Shielding. Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be constructed with full shielding and/or recessed to reduce light trespass to adjoining properties. Each fixture shall be directed straight down and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the site.

2. Level of illumination. 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. Illumination standards are as follows:

3. The ratio of the maximum to minimum lighting levels shall not exceed 5:1.

4. Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures/areas, public phones and group mailboxes shall be illuminated with an average not to exceed 2 foot-candles of light.

5. Convenience stores shall provide a maximum average level of illumination of 4 foot-candles across the parking lot during business hours.

6. Pedestrian walkways shall be illuminated with a maximum average not to exceed 1 foot-candles of light.

7. Entryways and exterior doors of nonresidential structures shall be the illuminated during the hours of darkness, with a minimum maintained 0.5 foot-candle of light, measured within a 5-foot radius on each side of the door at ground level.

8. Light Zone 1 – Dark (Park & Rural Settings): Open Space, Agricultural and Rural Residential Zones. Exterior lighting shall produce a maximum initial illuminance of no greater than 0.01 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and beyond. Document that 0% of the total initial design fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down).

9. Light Zone 2 – Low (Residential Areas): Residential Zones (LDR, LMDR, MHDR). Exterior lighting shall produce a maximum initial illuminance of no greater than the moon’s potential ambient illumination of 0.10 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and beyond, and no greater than 0.01 footcandles 10 feet beyond the site boundary. Document that no more than 2% of the total initial design fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down).

10. Light Zone 3 – Medium (Commercial, Industrial & High Density Residential Areas): HDR, CR, CO, BP, EDC, HI zones. Exterior lighting shall produce a maximum initial illuminance of no greater than 0.20 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and beyond, and no greater than 0.01 footcandles 15 feet beyond the site boundary. Document that no more than 5% of the total initial design fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down).

11. Athletic facilities may exceed the specified levels of illumination as needed. Measures shall be taken to minimize glare off-site.

12. Maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures. The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures and related structures is limited as follows:

13. Eighteen (18) feet when abutting or within 25 feet of residential zoning district.

14. No height limit for lights on public property when used to illuminate athletic fields.

15. Twenty-four (24) feet for all other lights.

16. Height shall be measured from the finish grade, inclusive of the pedestal, to the top of the fixture.

17. Accent lighting. Architectural features may be illuminated by uplighting, provided that the lamps are low intensity to produce a subtle lighting effect and no glare or light trespass is produced. Wherever feasible, solar-powered fixtures shall be used.

18. Signs. Lighting of signs shall be in compliance with Chapter 9.165 (Sign Regulations) of this code.

19. Sports fields/outdoor activity areas. Where playing fields or other special activity areas are to be illuminated, lighting fixtures shall be mounted, aimed and shielded so that the light falls within the primary playing area and no significant off-site light trespass is produced. Lights shall be turned off within one hour after the end of the event, and no later than 11:00 p.m.

20. Alternative designs, materials and installations. The respective designated approving authority may grant approval of alternatives to this section as part of a development review process.

21. Maintenance. Fixtures and lighting shall be maintained in good working order and in a manner that serves the original design intent.

22. Hours of operation. Non-essential site lighting shall be controlled by timers to turn off after 11:00 pm or immediately after closing of non-residential uses.

1. At a minimum, an outdoor lighting plan shall include the following:

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

5. Photometric data including a computer-generated photometric grid showing foot-candle readings every 10 feet within the property or site and 15 feet beyond the property lines.

6. Demonstration of conformance with Chapter 6.01 (Dark Sky, Light Pollution) of the Municipal Code.