Chapter 17.56
San Pablo Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · San Pablo
PARKING LOT LIGHTING STANDARDS
Sections:
17.56.010 Purpose.
17.56.020 Applicability.
17.56.030 General lighting requirements.
17.56.010 Purpose. ¶
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate parking lot lighting to balance the safety and security needs for lighting with the city’s desire to preserve dark skies and to ensure that light trespass and glare have negligible impact on surrounding property (especially residential) and roadways. (Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1) (part), 2015)
17.56.020 Applicability. ¶
The requirements of this chapter apply to all new 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. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
17.56.030 General lighting requirements. ¶
A. The requirements listed below shall apply to new parking lot lighting.
B. 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, and light pollution.
C. Maintenance. Fixtures and lighting shall be maintained in good working order and in a manner that serves the original design intent.
Burnt-out and broken light bulbs shall be replaced.
Lighting fixtures shall remain free of graffiti and rust.
Painted light fixtures shall be maintained to minimize chipping or peeling.
D. 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 17.56-A: Shielding and Maximum Height of Parking Lot Light Fixtures.
E. Maximum Height. The maximum height of parking lot light fixtures abutting residential development shall be fifteen feet. Otherwise, the maximum height for parking lot light structures shall be twenty feet. Height limit for parking lot light fixtures in industrial areas is twenty-five feet. Height shall be measured from
the finish grade, inclusive of the pedestal, to the top of the fixture. See Figure 17.56-A: Shielding and Maximum Height of Parking Lot Light Fixtures.
Figure 17.56-A: Shielding and Maximum Height of Parking Lot Light Fixtures
==> picture [340 x 207] intentionally omitted <==
F. Level of Illumination. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to illuminate at the minimum level necessary for safety and security and to avoid the harsh contrasts in lighting levels between the project site and adjacent properties. Illumination requirements are provided in Table 17.56-A—Illumination Requirements.
Table 17.56-A—Illumination Requirements
| Category | Where Measured | Required Illumination (minimum or maximum) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures, public phones, group mailboxes |
Within 2-foot radius of object edge |
1.0 foot-candle (minimum) and 4.0 foot-candle (maximum) |
At all hours |
| Parking lots for banks, convenience stores, check cashing businesses |
At point of highest and lowest light level |
1.5 foot-candle (minimum) and 4.0 foot-candle (maximum) |
During operating hours |
| Pedestrian walkways | Center of walkway at point of highest and lowest light level |
0.5 foot-candle (minimum) and 2.0 foot-candle (maximum) |
Only applies to walkways intended for use after dark |
| Category | Where Measured | Required Illumination (minimum or maximum) |
Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential structures, entryways, and doors |
5-foot radius of door (each side) |
1.0 foot-candle (minimum) | During hours of darkness |
| Adjacent residential property |
At structure and rear setback line |
0.1 foot-candle (maximum) | Equivalent to moon’s potential ambient illumination |
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
==> picture [39 x 19] intentionally omitted <==
==> picture [39 x 19] intentionally omitted <==
==> picture [39 x 19] intentionally omitted <==
The San Pablo Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2024-001, passed March 4, 2024.
Disclaimer: The City Clerk’s office has the official version of the San Pablo
17.58 Refuse Disposal and Recycling ¶
==> picture [39 x 18] intentionally omitted <==
==> picture [39 x 18] intentionally omitted <==
==> picture [39 x 18] intentionally omitted <==