Sections:
23.56.010    Purpose
23.56.020    Definitions
23.56.030    Outdoor Lighting Standards
23.56.040    Lighting Prohibited

The regulations and requirements set forth in this Chapter are intended to promote and protect public health safety and general welfare and promote the preservation of natural nighttime outdoor environment by regulating artificial lighting. In particular, this Chapter is intended to limit glare and light pollution to ensure adequate safety, night vision, and comfort.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this Chapter.

Foot Candle.  A unit of illumination produced on a surface, all points of which are one foot from a uniform point of one candle.

Full Shielding. A technique or method of construction which causes all light emitted from an outdoor light fixture to be projected below an imaginary horizontal plane passing through the lowest point on the fixtures from which light is emitted.  

Glare. Light emitting from a luminaire with an intensity great enough to reduce a viewer’s ability to see and, in extreme cases, causing momentary blindness.

Hours of Darkness. Any time from one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise and any other time when the illumination level is less than the required lighting for uses as designated in this Chapter.

Light Pollution. Artificial light which causes a detrimental effect on the environment, astronomical research or enjoyment of the night sky or causes undesirable glare or unnecessary illumination of adjacent property.

Light Trespass. The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located.

Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source and all necessary mechanical, electrical, and decorative parts.  The pole, post, or bracket is not considered a part of the luminaire.

Minimum Maintained Foot-Candles of Light. The amount of light falling on that point of a surface with the least illumination, calculated through application of a maintenance factor, which is a multiplier applied to account for aging of the lamp and for dirt build-up on the luminaire during the period for which the lamp is in place.  Unless otherwise specified, light is measured on a horizontal plane at ground level.  The average maintained foot candle of light is calculated using the industry standard uniformity ratio of average and minimum light levels of 4:1 as established by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

Shielding. A technique or method of construction which causes light emitted from an outdoor light fixture to be projected below an imaginary horizontal plane passing through the fixtures.

Except as otherwise specified herein, outdoor lighting standards listed below apply to all new multifamily residential, and non-residential development.  The designated Approving Authority may grant exceptions to the shielding requirements, maximum level of illumination, and height of outdoor light fixtures for outdoor recreation facilities on park sites with the finding that the light impacts do not create a public nuisance for abutting residential property.

1. Shielding required.  Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be constructed with full shielding.  Where the light source from an outdoor light fixture is visible beyond the property line shielding shall be required to reduce glare so that the light source is not visible from within any residential dwelling unit.  Outdoor lighting for single family residential use shall be located and/or shielded in a manner to ensure that the intensity and direction of exterior and security lighting does not constitute a public nuisance to abutting residential dwellings.  See Figure 23.56-1.

   Figure 23.56-1
   Shielding Provisions for Outdoor Lighting

   
   
   
   
   
2. Level of illumination.  During hours of darkness, the minimum and average maintained foot-candles of light shall be consistent with the provisions listed below.  A point-by-point photometric calculation listing the number, type, height, and level of illumination of all outdoor lighting fixtures shall be required in conjunction with the development permit application and prior to issuance of a building permit or site improvement plans to ensure compliance with these provisions.
   1. Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures/areas, public phones, and group mailboxes shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed four foot-candles of light.
   2. Pedestrian walkways shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one-half foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed two foot-candles of light.
   3. Exterior doors of non-residential structures shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness, with a minimum maintained one foot-candle of light, measured within a five-foot radius on each side of the door at ground level.
   4. In order to minimize light trespass on abutting residential property, illumination measured at the nearest residential structure or rear yard setback line shall not exceed the moon’s potential ambient illumination of one-tenth foot-candle.
3. Maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures.  The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures for development abutting residential property shall be 20 feet. However, the designated Approving Authority may grant exceptions to this height restriction in conjunction with Design Review if the proposed lighting plan has negligible light glare and spill impacts on adjoining residential properties. Otherwise, the maximum height for freestanding outdoor light fixtures shall be 30 feet.
4. Type of illumination. All new outdoor lighting fixtures shall be energy efficient with a rated average bulb life of not less than 10,000 hours. 
5. Hours of illumination.  Automatic timing devices shall be required for all new outdoor light fixtures with off hours (exterior lights turned off) between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.  However, outdoor lights may remain on during business hours of operation for security purposes (e.g., to illuminate walkways, roadways, equipment yards, and parking lots).  Outdoor lights may also remain on to illuminate flags representing a country, state, or other civic entity.
6. Outdoor Sports Field / Outdoor Performance Area Lighting
   1. The mounting height of outdoors sports field and outdoor performance area lighting fixtures shall reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the designated Approving Authority.
   2. The hours of operation for the lighting system for any game or event shall not exceed one hour after the end of the event.
7. Architectural/Landscape Lighting. Outdoor light fixtures used to illuminate architectural and landscape features shall use a narrow cone of light for the purpose of confining the light to the object.
8. Sign Lighting. The artificial illumination of signs, both from an internal or external source, shall be designed to eliminate negative impacts on surrounding rights-of-way and properties, and shall comply with Chapter 23.62 (Signs on Private Property).

The following outdoor light fixtures shall be prohibited as specified below.  Existing light fixtures legally permitted or authorized prior to adoption of this Ordinance may be maintained.

1. Neon tubing or band lighting along building structures as articulation.
2. Searchlights.
3. Illumination of entire buildings.  Building illumination shall be limited to security lighting and lighting of architectural features authorized by the designated Approving Authority in conjunction with the required development permit(s).
4. Roof mounted lights except for security purposes with motion detection and full shielding so that the glare of the light source is not visible from any public right-of-way.
5. Any light that imitates or causes visual interference with a traffic signal or other necessary safety or emergency light.