Chapter 17.14 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING

This chapter establishes minimum requirements for outdoor lighting in order to reduce light trespass and glare, and to protect the health, property, and the well-being of residents and visitors. Terms used in this chapter are defined in Part 7 (Definitions).

The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

• A. Fixtures not fully shielded only if less than 3,000 Kelvin and/or 750 lumens per fixture; however, all non-residential lighting shall be shielded.

• B. Traffic control signals and devices.

• C. Street lights installed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. New or replacement lighting shall comply with this chapter.

• D. Temporary emergency lighting (e.g., for use by fire, police, or repair personnel).

• E. Holiday lighting.

• F. Outdoor lighting for automated teller machines and associated parking lot facilities, which are subject to the California Financial Code Section 13040 .

• G. Existing outdoor sports-field lights installed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. New or replacement lighting shall comply with this chapter.

• H. All hazard warning luminaires required by federal regulatory agencies.

• I. Special events approved by the City pursuant to a temporary use permit and emergency or City approved night-time construction.

• J. Safety lights not exceeding 2,400 lumens (150 watts incandescent equivalent) per fixture that are controlled by a motion sensor switch and do not remain on longer than five minutes after activation.

• K. Low-voltage landscape lighting that does not exceed 400 lumens (35 watts incandescent equivalent) per fixture or string of lights.

• L. Approved lighting fixtures on any building or structure listed on the City's historic register and historic inventory.

• M. Accent lighting for art located in public places subject to the approval of the Development Services Director.

• N. Lighting for United States flags.

• O. Lighting required for the purpose of public safety or crime prevention and approved by the chief of police.

The following general standards shall apply to all outdoor lighting installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter:

• A. Light trespass that results in glare is prohibited.

• B. All residential lighting over 750 lumens per fixture shall be adequately shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the property line or into the public right-of-way, as illustrated in Figure 17.14-1 (Inadequate and Adequate Shielding) and Figure 17.14-2 (Light Source Not Directly Visible Outside Property Perimeter). Residential lighting 750 lumens or below is exempt from a shielding requirement.

• C. All non-residential outdoor lighting shall be located, adequately shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the property line or into the public right-of-way.

• D. New development that includes common-areas shall be maintained with a minimum 1.0 footcandle power on walkways and in parking lots. However, there shall be zero measurable footcandle power at the property line.

• E. The Development Services Director or designee may require motion-activated or heat (infrared)activated lighting within public or common recreational areas, pedestrian entry points, or other targeted areas as appropriate to deter crime and enhance public safety.

• F. Luminaires shall be so designed and shielded by horizontal cutoff to eliminate all light directed above the horizontal plane, as illustrated in Figure 17.14-1 (Adequate Shielding). The lower edge of the luminaire's housing shall extend below the entire light source and all glassware so that any light emitted above the horizontal is eliminated. Light-directing refractors shall be considered to be light sources.

• G. Outdoor lighting shall comply with the State of California Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards outdoor lighting requirements. If a conflict between the requirements of this chapter and the State of California Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards arises, that which produces the least glare shall apply.

• A. Lighting that flashes, flickers, blinks, changes color, or changes intensity such that it is distracting or may be confused with traffic or emergency signals shall be prohibited.

• B. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal is prohibited.

FIGURE 17.14-1 INADEQUATE AND ADEQUATE SHIELDING

Inadequate Adequate

Source: Dark Sky Society

FIGURE 17.14-2 LIGHT SOURCE NOT DIRECTLY VISIBLE OUTSIDE PROPERTY PERIMETER

==> picture [442 x 179] intentionally omitted <==

Source: Dark Sky Society

• C. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.

• A. Parking area luminaires shall be no taller than 20 feet as measured from the adjacent grade to their tallest point. Taller poles may be approved by the Development Services Director.

• B. Lighting, where provided to illuminate parking, sales, or display areas shall be hooded or shielded and comply with Section 17.14.030 (General Standards).

• A. Any light source permitted by this chapter may be used for lighting outdoor recreational facilities (public or private) provided all of the following conditions are met:

  1. All fixtures used for event lighting shall be fully shielded as defined in Section 17.14.030 (General Standards), or be designed or provided with sharp cut-off capability, so as to minimize up-light and glare.

  2. Exterior lighting is turned off before or as near to 11:00 PM as practical except to conclude a scheduled event that was in progress before 11:00 PM.

• A. All luminaires lawfully in place prior to the date of the ordinance shall be grandfathered. However, any luminaire that replaces a grandfathered luminaire, or any grandfathered luminaire that is moved, must meet the standards of this chapter.

• B. Grandfathered luminaires that direct light toward streets or parking lots that cause disability glare to motorists or cyclists should be either shielded or re-directed within 90 days of notification, so that the luminaires do not cause a potential hazard to motorists or cyclists.