Article 300 — GENERAL SITE REGULATIONS
300.07: LIGHTING AND ILLUMINATION:
Porterville Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Porterville
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 inTable 300.07(A) below.
TABLE 300.07A: MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF LIGHTING FIXTURES
District Maximum Height
Residential districts 16 feet CN, PO 16 feet 16 feet within 100 feet of any street frontage; CMX, downtown districts 20 feet in any other location 20 feet within 100 feet of any street frontage; PS 25 feet in any other location CR, CG, IP, IG, IA 40 feet REC, PK 50 feet1
Note:
- 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 None None krypton 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)
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