The purpose of this chapter is to create standards for outdoor
lighting in order to:
A. Prevent
nuisances created by light pollution, glare, and light trespass caused
by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures and over-lighting;
B. Improve
nighttime public safety, utility, and security;
C. Promote
lighting practices and systems that conserve energy;
D. Phase
out existing nonconforming fixtures, including those owned by the
Town and other public agencies; and
E. Preserve
the dark night sky.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
A. Local
festivals and seasonal displays (between November 15th and through
the second week of January of the following year) using multiple low
wattage bulbs (approximately 15 lumens or less) provided that they
do not constitute a fire hazard, create a nuisance, and are maintained
in a safe and attractive condition;
B. Vehicular
lights and all temporary emergency lighting needed by the Police and
Fire Departments, or other emergency services;
C. All
temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways,
utilities, and other public infrastructure; and
D. All
lighting required by State or Federal regulatory agencies.
The Planning Officer may authorize additional property specific exemptions when proposed outdoor lighting does not conflict with the purposes of this section. An application for such an exemption must be made in writing and include an outdoor lighting plan pursuant to Section 17.132.050 of this chapter. Temporary lighting for special events shall be reviewed in this manner.
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(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
The following general standards apply to all nonexempt outdoor
lighting fixtures:
A. Nuisance
Prevention. All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed, located,
installed, aimed downward or toward structures, and maintained in
order to prevent glare, light trespass, and light pollution. Outdoor
lighting fixtures aimed against structures shall be totally contained
by the structure to result in no off-site glare. Luminaires that do
not allow light to escape above an 85-degree angle measured from a
vertical line from the center of the lamp extended to the ground are
preferred.
B. Maintenance.
Fixtures and lighting systems shall be in good working order and maintained
and aligned in a manner that serves the original design intent of
the system.
C. Lighting
Levels. Outdoor lighting installations shall be designed to avoid
harsh contrasts in lighting levels between the project site and the
adjacent properties. The Town Council may, by resolution, adopt standards
for maximum or minimum lighting levels for various zoning districts
and for public streets, sidewalks, or trails, as developed by the
Planning & Building Department. The Illuminating Engineering Society
of North America (IESNA) RP-33, Lighting for Exterior Environments,
shall be used as a guideline including, but not limited to, the location
types shown in Table 17.132-1 below. The Town may restrict lighting
to a level less than the IESNA recommended guideline.
Table 17.132-1
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Location
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Maximum Illumination (footcandles)
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Average Illumination (footcandles)
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Parking Lot
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5.0
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2.5
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Perimeter parking
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3.0
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1.5
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Property Boundary
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0.5
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Adjacent to residential
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0.5
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Approach and driveways
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1.5
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Within 10 feet of driveway at property line
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0.5
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Accessory Uses
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3.0
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Within 15 feet of residential
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0.5
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Within 15 feet of nonresidential
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1.0
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Within 15 feet of approach
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1.5
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Building Exteriors
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5.0
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Streets and Roadways
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Local
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0.7
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Collector
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0.9
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Arterial
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1.6
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D. Lamp
Types. Metal halide (MH) or high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps are preferred
for all new commercial area lighting (parking lot and yard lights)
and street lighting installed after the effective date of the ordinance
codified in this chapter due to good color rendering and good energy
efficiency. Low pressure sodium (LPS) lighting may be used for area
lighting but shall not be used by itself in outdoor light fixtures
due to poor color rendition and the need by public safety personnel
to identify color in the nighttime environment. A combination of low-pressure
sodium lighting and other type(s) of full spectrum lighting (e.g.,
metal halide) may be used if color rendition can be maintained. Low
wattage incandescent or compact fluorescent lamps are preferred for
residential lighting.
E. Fixture
Types. All new outdoor lighting shall use full cut-off luminaires
with the light source downcast and fully shielded with no light emitted
above the horizontal plane, with the following exceptions:
1. Fixtures that have a maximum output of 400 lumens (equivalent to
one 40-watt incandescent bulb) or less, regardless of the number of
bulbs, may be left unshielded provided that it has an opaque top or
is under an opaque structure to prevent the light from shining directly
up. However, partial (e.g., obscured glass) or full shielding is preferred
to control light output in all situations.
2. Fixtures that have a maximum output of 1,000 lumens (equivalent to
one 60-watt incandescent bulb) or less may be partially shielded using
a semi-translucent barrier, provided that the lamp is not visible
from off-site, no direct glare is produced, and the fixture has an
opaque top or is under an opaque structure to keep light from shining
directly up (e.g., a low-output style wall pack).
3. Floodlights with external shielding shall be angled provided that
no light is directed above a 45-degree angle measured from the vertical
line from the center of the light extended to the ground, and only
if the luminaire does not cause glare or light to shine on adjacent
property or public rights-of-way and does not emit light above the
horizontal plane. Photocells with timers that allow a floodlight to
go on at dusk and off by 11:00 p.m. are encouraged. Unshielded floodlights
are prohibited.
F. Accent
Lighting. Architectural and landscape features may be illuminated
by up-lighting, provided that the light is effectively contained by
the structure, the lamps are low intensity to produce a subtle lighting
effect, and no glare or light trespass is produced. For national and
state flags, public art, or other objects of interest that cannot
be illuminated with down-lighting, upward lighting may only be used
in the form of low intensity, narrow cone spotlight that confines
the illumination to the object of interest and minimizes spill-light
and glare.
G. The
provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of
any design, material, or method of installation or operation not specifically
prescribed herein, provided that the Planning Officer has approved
any such alternative. An alternative proposal may be approved if it
provides at least approximate equivalence to the applicable specific
requirements of this section, or if it is otherwise satisfactory and
complies with the purpose of this chapter.
H. The
Town of Yountville reserves the right to further restrict outdoor
lighting, including, but not limited to, pole height and level of
illumination, when it is deemed in the public interest consistent
with the purpose of this chapter.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
All outdoor lighting for commercial signs shall conform to the
provisions of this chapter. Externally illuminated signs, advertising
displays, billboards, and building identification shall use top-mounted
light fixtures which shine light downward, and which are fully shielded.
Light bulbs or lighting tubes used for sign illumination shall not
be readily visible from the vehicular travel lanes, adjacent public
rights-of-way, or adjoining properties. The intensity of sign lighting
shall not exceed that necessary to illuminate and make legible a sign
from the approved location of view, such as pedestrian walkway, adjacent
travel way or closest Town street.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
Incorrect installations, poor choice of fixtures, and over-lighting
can result in unnecessarily high-energy costs. The following recommendations
are intended to encourage the efficient use of energy for lighting
purposes:
A. All
nonessential outdoor commercial and residential lighting is encouraged
to be turned off after business hours and/or when not in use.
B. Where
practical, outdoor lighting installations are encouraged to include
timers, dimmers, sensors, or photocell controllers that turn the lights
off during daylight hours to reduce overall energy consumption and
eliminate unnecessary lighting. Sensor activated fixtures should not
be triggered by activity off the subject property.
C. When
selecting new outdoor lighting, the full cost of operation over the
life of the fixture(s) should be considered. Substantial annual energy
savings may be realized by using quality efficient fixtures.
D. Indiscriminate
and excessive lighting should be avoided. Light should be directed
only to where it is needed with the appropriate intensity.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
It is unlawful to install or operate any outdoor lighting fixture in violation of this chapter. Any person violating any provisions of this chapter may be subject to the provisions of Chapter
17.228, Compliance and Enforcement, of this title. In addition, any outdoor lighting fixture erected or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter may be declared to be a public nuisance subject to the procedures set forth in Municipal Code Chapter
8.05. Such remedies are in addition to and may be sought or imposed concurrently with, any other remedy provided by law, regulation, or ordinance.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)
The Planning Officer is hereby empowered and directed to administer,
enforce, and monitor compliance with the provisions of this chapter
relating to outdoor lighting control.
(Ord. 21-501 § 9)