300.07: LIGHTING AND ILLUMINATION: — Porterville Zoning Code

A. Purpose. This section is intended to minimize outdoor artificial light that may have a detrimental effect on the environment, astronomical research, amateur astronomy, and enjoyment of the night sky. These provisions are also intended to reduce the unnecessary illumination of adjacent properties and the use of energy.

B. Applicability. Outdoor light fixtures installed after the effective date of this Ordinance and maintained upon private property shall comply with the requirements of this section.

C. Exemptions. The following types of lighting fixtures are exempt from the requirements of this section:

Prior Installation. All light fixtures installed prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, unless fifty (50) percent or more of the light fixtures on the premises are replaced.
Fossil Fuels. All light fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of fossil fuels.
Low Lumens. All light fixtures with an initial total lamp sources lumens of four thousand fifty (4,050) or less.
Construction and Emergency Lighting. All construction or emergency lighting fixtures, provided they are temporary and are discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency.

D. Maximum Height. Lighting fixtures shall not exceed the maximum heights specified in Table 300.07(A) below.
TABLE 300.07A: MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF LIGHTING FIXTURES

District	Maximum Height
Residential districts	16 feet
CN, PO	16 feet
CMX, downtown districts	16 feet within 100 feet of any street frontage; 20 feet in any other location
PS	20 feet within 100 feet of any street frontage; 25 feet in any other location
CR, CG, IP, IG, IA	40 feet
REC, PK	50 feet1

Note:

1. Sports field lighting shall be defined per project.

E. Shielding. All lighting fixtures shall be shielded in accordance with Table 300.07(B) so as not to produce obtrusive glare onto the public right-of-way or adjoining properties. All luminaries shall meet the most recently adopted criteria of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for “Cut Off” or “Full Cut Off” luminaries, as illustrated in Figure 300.07.

TABLE 300.07B: REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIELDING AND FILTERING

Fixture Lamp Type	Shielding Required	Filtering Required

Fixture Lamp Type	Shielding Required	Filtering Required
Low pressure sodium1	None	None
Light-emitting diode (LED)	Fully5	Yes2
High pressure sodium	Fully	None
Metal halide	Fully	Yes4
Fluorescent	Fully5	Yes2
Quartz3	Fully	None
Incandescent greater than 100W	Fully	None
Incandescent 100W or less	None	None
Mercury vapor	Not permitted
Fossil fuel	None	None
Glass tubes filled with neon, argon, or krypton	None	None
Other sources	As approved by the zoning administrator

Notes:

This is the preferred light source to minimize undesirable light into the night sky affecting astronomical observations.
Warm white natural lamps are preferred to minimize detrimental effects.
For the purposes of this article, quartz lamps shall not be considered an incandescent light source.
Most glass, acrylic, or translucent enclosures satisfy these filter requirements.
Outdoor signs constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. FIGURE 300.07: LIGHT FIXTURE SHIELDING

F. Multi-Family Residential Illumination. Aisles, passageways, and pedestrian recesses related to and within the building complex shall be illuminated with an intensity of at least 0.25 foot-candles at the ground level during the hours of darkness. Lighting devices shall be protected by weather and vandal-resistant covers.

G. Pedestrian Oriented Lighting. In the Downtown, CN, CR, and CMX districts, exterior lighting shall be provided for a secure nighttime pedestrian environment at building entrances, on-site pedestrian walkways, public sidewalks and open areas with a safe level of illumination with an intensity of at least 0.25 foot-candles at the ground level during the hours of darkness. The Zoning Administrator may require additional lighting for bars, nightclubs, and lounges or other entertainment venues in order to provide a safe level of illumination.

H. Prohibitions and Requirements for Protection and Shielding:

Recreational Facility. No public or private outdoor recreational facility shall be illuminated after 11:00 p.m., except to conclude any recreational or sporting event or other activity conducted at a ball park, outdoor amphitheater, area, or similar facility in progress prior to 11:00 p.m.
Outdoor Building and Landscaping. The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building or landscaping is prohibited, except with incandescent fixtures with lamps of sixteen hundred (1600) lumens or less.
Outdoor Signs. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate an outdoor sign shall be mounted on the top of the sign structure and shall be shielded according to Table 300.07(C) above.

I. Alternate Materials and Methods of Installation. Design, material, or method of installation not specifically prescribed by this section may be approved by the Zoning Administrator provided the proposed design, material, or method complies with the intent of these provisions. (Ord. 1866, 11-19-2019)