Chapter 17.58 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING STANDARDS

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate lighting to balance the safety and security needs for lighting with the city's desire to limit light pollution from outdoor sources, preserve dark skies, maintain darkness for night sky viewing, and ensure that light trespass and glare have negligible impact on surrounding property (especially residential) and roadways. (Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)

The requirements of this chapter apply to all new and existing development. Whenever a person is required to obtain a building permit, electrical permit, and/or approval of a planning entitlement, the applicant shall submit sufficient information for the approving authority to determine whether the proposed lighting will comply with the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)

The following items shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter:

• A. Temporary lights used for holiday decorations.

• B. Emergency lighting erected for official purposes by local, state, or federal agencies.

C. Lighting for temporary uses and special events permitted consistent with this code. (Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)

The following types of lighting are prohibited:

• A. Neon tubing or band lighting (including LCD, LED, and other technologies) on buildings and/or structures as articulation in lieu of a physical architectural element/feature, except accent lighting as approved through design review (section 17.20.040 ).

• B. Search lights, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity light, except for emergency use by police or fire personnel or at their discretion, or for approved temporary lighting for a special event approved by the city.

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

• D. Illumination of entire buildings.

• E. Roof-mounted lighting except for security or fire safety purposes.

F. Moving, flashing, or animated lighting. (Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)

The requirements listed below shall apply to all outdoor lighting.

• A. Nuisance prevention. All outdoor lighting shall be designed, located, installed, directed downward or toward structures, fully shielded, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass/spillover onto adjacent properties, and light pollution.

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

  1. Lighting of all types shall be regularly maintained to ensure continuous function/operation. This shall include all energizing and support infrastructure associated with the lighting fixture.

  2. Lighting fixtures shall remain free of graffiti.

  3. All finishes applied to light fixtures shall be regularly maintained to ensure that all degradations to the fixtures due to environmental conditions, physical damage, or general use.

• C. Shielding. Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be recessed and/or constructed with full downward shielding in order to reduce light and glare impacts on trespass to adjoining properties and public rights-of-way. Each fixture shall be directed downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the project site intended to be illuminated. See Figure 17.58.050-2 (Shielding and Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures).

• D. Level of illumination. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to illuminate at the minimum level necessary for safety and security, to avoid harsh contrasts in lighting levels between the project site and adjacent properties, ensure compatibility with the character of the surrounding neighborhood, and limit excess ambient light to maintain darkness for night sky viewing (especially in rural, neighborhood, hillside, and open space areas). Proposals for all lighting for new and redevelopment projects shall include the submittal of a photometric plan for review and approval. Illumination requirements are provided in Table 17.58.050-1 (Illumination Requirements).

the surrounding neighborhood, and limit excess ambient light to maintain darkness for night sky viewing (especially in rural, neighborhood, hillside, and open space areas). Proposals for all lighting for new and redevelopment projects shall include the submittal of a photometric plan for review and approval. Illumination requirements are provided in Table 17.58.050-1 (Illumination Requirements).

• E. Signs. Lighting of signs shall be in compliance with chapter 17.74 (Sign Regulations for Private Property).

• F. Sports fields/outdoor activity areas. Where playing fields or other specialty 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. Additionally, the lights shall be turned off within one hour after the end of the event.

• G. Wireless telecommunication facilities. Wireless telecommunication facilities and related equipment shall be unlit except as provided in chapter 17.106 (Wireless Communicator Facilities).

• H. Maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures. The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures shall be as follows:

  1. On residential properties: 12 feet.

  2. On nonresidential properties adjacent to residential properties: five feet.

  3. On industrial properties: 25 feet. 4. On properties not noted as above: 20 feet.

  4. The height of a freestanding outdoor light fixture shall be measured from the finish grade, inclusive of the pedestal, to the source of the illumination in the fixture does not include decorative elements attached to the top of the fixture. See Figure 17.58.050-2 (Shielding and Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures).

FIGURE 17.58.050-2 SHIELDING AND MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF FREESTANDING OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES

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• I. Energy-efficient fixtures required. Outdoor lighting shall utilize energy-efficient fixtures and lamps such as LED, highpressure sodium, metal halide, low-pressure sodium, hard-wired compact fluorescent, or other lighting technology that is of equal or greater efficiency.

• J. 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.

• K. Alternative designs, materials, and installations. The designated approving authority may grant approval of alternatives to this section as part of design review (section 17.16.130 ).

• (Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)