The purpose of the Molalla Dark Skies Ordinance is to regulate outdoor lighting in order to reduce or prevent light pollution. This shall mean, to the extent reasonably possible, reducing or preventing glare and light trespass and conserving energy while also promoting community safety and security.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
A. 
New Lighting. All exterior outdoor lighting installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter in any and all zones in the City shall conform to the requirements established by this chapter and other applicable ordinances unless otherwise exempted. This chapter does not apply to indoor lighting.
B. 
Existing Lighting. All existing lighting shall be modified to conform to the provisions of this chapter at the time the City issues a development permit or building permit for the property on which the lighting is located. If the value of work done to the location exceeds $50,000.00, all lighting on the property must be brought into full compliance before reoccupation or reuse.
C. 
Nonconforming Use or Structure. If a nonconforming use or structure has been abandoned for more than 12 months, all lighting on the property must be brought into full compliance before reoccupation or reuse.
D. 
Conformity shall occur prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, Final Inspection, or Final Plat Recording, when applicable. For other permits, the applicant shall have a maximum of 30 days before reoccupation or reuse.
E. 
Preferred Light Source. Low-pressure sodium (LPS) lamps are the preferred illumination source throughout the City and their use is encouraged.
F. 
When an existing fixture is replaced, the replacement fixture shall meet the requirements of this chapter.
G. 
Lighting may be more restrictive elsewhere in the Molalla Municipal Code, but not less restrictive.
H. 
All governmental agencies, federal, state or county, which operate within the City limits of Molalla, may obtain exceptions as approved by the City Manager and/or City Council to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
I. 
In the event a provision of this chapter conflicts with a provision of any other chapter of the Molalla Municipal Code, the more restrictive requirement shall apply.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
A. 
Residential fixtures consisting of lamp types with 2,050 lumens or less. Examples include:
1. 
100 watt standard incandescent and less;
2. 
100 watt mid break tungsten-halogen (quartz) and less;
3. 
25 watt T-12 cool white fluorescent and less;
4. 
18-watt low pressure sodium and less.
B. 
Federally funded and state funded roadway construction projects to the extent necessary to comply with federal and state requirements.
C. 
Fossil Fuel Light. Fossil fuel light produced directly or indirectly by the combustion of natural gas or other utility-type fossil fuels.
D. 
Full cutoff street lighting, which is part of a federal, state, or municipal installation.
E. 
Holiday lighting.
F. 
Lighting of sports facilities or stadiums.
G. 
Specialized lighting necessary for the safety, such as navigation or runway lighting of airports, or temporary lighting associated with emergency operations, road hazard warnings, etc.
H. 
Traffic control signals and devices.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
A. 
The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any design, material or method of installation or operation not specifically prohibited by this chapter, provided such alternative design material or method conforms to the intent of this division and has been approved by the building official.
B. 
The Building Official may approve an alternative design provided the Building Official finds that:
1. 
It complies with the applicable specific requirements of this chapter.
2. 
It has been designed or approved by a registered professional engineer and complies with the purpose of this chapter.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
All applications for building permits or land use planning review that include installation of outdoor lighting fixtures shall include lighting plans conforming to the provisions of this chapter. The Planning Director and/or Building Official shall have the authority to request additional information in order to achieve the purpose of this chapter.
A. 
The submittal shall contain the following information and submitted as part of the site plan to the Planning and Building Department for approval:
1. 
Plans indicating the location, type, intensity, and height of luminaries including both building and ground mounted fixtures.
2. 
A description of the luminaries, including lamps, poles or other supports and shielding devices, which may be provided as catalogue illustrations from the manufacturer.
3. 
Photometric data, such as that furnished by the manufacturer, showing the angle of light emission and the foot-candles on the ground.
B. 
Applications for single/multifamily residential or other projects where any single outdoor light fixture exceeds 2,050 lumens output shall be required to comply with subsection A above.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
The following general standards apply to all outdoor lighting installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter unless exempted above:
A. 
Area Lights. All area lights, including street lights and parking area lighting shall be full cutoff fixtures and are encouraged to be 85-degree full cut-off type fixtures. Street lights shall be high pressure sodium, low-pressure sodium, or metal halide, unless otherwise determined by the City that another type is more efficient street lights along residential streets shall be limited to 70-watt high-pressure sodium (hps) light. Street lights along nonresidential streets or at intersections shall be limited to 100 watts hps, except that lights at major intersections on state highways shall be limited to 200 watts hps. If the City permits a light type other than high-pressure sodium the equivalent output shall be the limit for the other light type.
B. 
Canopy Lights. All lighting shall be recessed sufficiently so as to ensure that no light source is visible from or causes glare on public rights-of-way or adjacent property.
C. 
Illumination Levels. Illumination levels and uniformity shall be in accordance with current recommended practices of the Illuminating Engineering Society. Recommended standards for the illuminating engineering society shall not be exceeded.
D. 
Temporary Lighting. Temporary lighting that conforms to the requirements of this ordinance shall be allowed. Nonconforming temporary exterior lighting may be permitted by the Building Official only after considering:
1. 
The public and private benefits which will result from the temporary lighting.
2. 
Any annoyance or safety problems that may result from the use of the temporary lighting.
3. 
The duration of the temporary nonconforming lighting. The applicant shall submit a detailed description of the proposed temporary nonconforming lighting to the Building Official.
E. 
Towers. All radio, communication and navigation towers that require lights shall have dual lighting capabilities. Lights may only be used in accordance with FAA requirements.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
A. 
Newly installed fixtures, which are not full cutoff fixtures.
B. 
Lighting which presents a clear hazard to motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.
C. 
Laser Source Light. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment is prohibited.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
If an application is denied, the applicant may appeal the decision to the Planning Commission. The fee for an appeal shall be set by City Council resolution.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
This section may be enforced on the basis of a formal complaint filed in writing with the City.
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)
Table 21.80.100.1 - Requirements for Lighting
Lamp Type
25
30
35
40
50
60
75
100
100+
Low Pressure Sodium
Un-shielded
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
High Pressure Sodium
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Metal Halide
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Fluorescent
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Quartz
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Tungsten Halogen
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Mercury Vapor
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Directed Shield
Incandescent
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
Un-shielded
A. 
For the purpose of this section wattage ratings for lamp types will be for either a single lamp source or multiple lamp sources when installed in a cluster.
B. 
Lamp types not listed in the table may be approved for use by the Building Official providing installation of these lamps conforms to the lumen limits established in this section.
C. 
Glass tubes filled with argon, neon or krypton do not require shielding.
Table 21.80.100.2 - Typical Lumen Values for Various Lamp Wattage*
Wattage
Low Pressure Sodium
High Pressure Sodium
Metal Halide
Fluorescent
Quartz
Mercury Vapor
Incandescent
9
-
-
-
600
-
-
-
18
1,800
-
-
-
-
-
-
35
4,725
2,250
-
-
-
-
-
40
-
4,000
-
2,250
-
-
480
50
-
-
-
-
1,400
1,140
480
55
7,925
-
-
-
-
-
-
60
-
-
-
-
-
-
870
70
-
5,800
5,500
-
-
-
-
75
-
-
-
-
-
2,800
1,190
90
14,400
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
-
9,500
8,000
-
-
4,300
1,750
110
-
-
-
6,600
-
-
-
150
-
16,000
-
-
-
-
22,850
175
-
-
14,000
-
-
8,600
-
200
-
22,000
-
-
-
-
44,010
250
-
27,500
20,500
-
-
12,100
-
300
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,360
400
-
50,000
36,000
-
-
22,500
-
500
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,850
Notes:
*
Taken from data supplied by Portland General Electric – Energy Resource Center
(Ord. 2010-04 §1; Ord. 2010-15 §1)