This article may be cited as the City of Escondido outdoor lighting
ordinance.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.10; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)
It is the purpose and intent of this article to minimize glare,
light trespass, and artificial sky glow for the benefit of the citizens
of the city and astronomical research at Palomar Observatory, and
to promote lighting design that provides for public safety, utility,
and productivity while conserving energy and resources by:
(a)
Using outdoor light fixtures with good optical control to distribute
the light in the most effective and efficient manner;
(b)
Using the minimum amount of light to meet the lighting criteria;
(c)
Using shielded outdoor light fixtures;
(d)
Using low-pressure sodium, narrow-spectrum amber light emitting diodes
(LEDs,) or other equivalent energy efficient outdoor light fixtures
with a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3,000 Kelvin (K) or less;
(e)
Energizing outdoor light fixtures only when necessary, by means of
automatic timing devices; and
(f)
Requiring that certain outdoor light fixtures and lamps be turned
off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.11; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15; Ord. No. 2021-10, § 6, 10-27-21)
means a clock device which automatically activates and deactivates
outdoor light fixtures or circuits. Photosensitive controls are not
considered automatic timing devices for the purposes of this article.
means the color temperature measured in Kelvins (K) that
describes the overall color tone of a white light source.
means difficulty seeing in the presence of bright light such
as direct or reflected artificial lights.
means the unit of measure of the color temperature of light
sources.
means a device that produces light.
means light emitting diode, which is a semiconductor device
that converts electricity into light.
means light falling across property boundaries, onto property
not containing the originating light source.
means a quantitative unit measuring the actual amount of
visible light produced by a lamp.
See "Outdoor light fixture."
means gas-filled tubing which, when subjected to high voltage,
becomes luminescent in a color characteristic of the particular gas
used, e.g., neon, argon, etc.
See "Luminous tube."
means an artificial lighting assembly (including lamp, housing,
reflectors, lenses and shields) which is permanently installed outdoors
including, but not limited to, lights for roadways, walkways, parking
lots, open canopies, product display areas, landscape and architectural
accents, security, recreational facilities, advertising and decorative
effects.
means any individual, partnership, venture, corporation or
entity, the singular of which becomes plural.
means a combination of techniques or methods of construction,
mounting and focusing, which causes all light emitted from an outdoor
light fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the
fixture, to be projected below an imaginary horizontal plane passing
through the lowest light-emitting point of the fixture (zero up-light
rating).
means visible light in the sky resulting from light that
is reflected and/or refracted by water vapor, dust and other gas molecules
in the atmosphere.
means the unit of measure of the electrical power consumption
of a lamp (not the light output).
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.12; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)
(a)
Outdoor light fixtures installed after the effective date of this
article[1] and thereafter maintained upon private commercial, industrial,
multifamily residential (over six dwelling units), or other nonresidential
uses (e.g., churches, day care, convalescent use, schools) shall comply
with the following:
(1)
Only shielded low-pressure sodium, shielded narrow-spectrum amber LEDs, or other shielded energy efficient outdoor light fixtures with a CCT of 3,000 Kelvin or less shall be utilized except as listed under subsection (b) of this section and section 33-714 of this article;
(2)
All light fixtures within 100 feet of any signalized intersection
shall be shielded and/or directed in such a manner so that the lighting
from such fixtures does not interfere with established traffic signals.
[1]
Editor's Note—The effective date of the ordinance codified
in this article is February 6, 1987.
(b)
Time controls. All outdoor light fixtures that are not low-pressure
sodium or narrow-spectrum amber LEDs, or do not have a CCT of 3,000
Kelvin or less, and that are installed and maintained after the effective
date of this article upon new private commercial, industrial, multifamily
residential (over six dwelling units), or other nonresidential uses
(e.g., churches, day care, convalescent use, schools) shall be equipped
with automatic timing devices so that such lighting is turned off
between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise except when used for:
(1)
Industrial and commercial uses where color rendition is required,
such as in assembly, repair, and outdoor display areas, where such
use continues after 11:00 p.m. but only for so long as such use continues
in operation;
(2)
Recreational uses that are in progress at 11:00 p.m. but only for
so long as such uses continue;
(3)
Signs and electronic displays and screens of business facilities
that are open to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise
but only for so long as the facility is open.
(c)
In addition to the provisions of this article, all outdoor light
fixtures shall be installed in conformity with all other applicable
provisions of the Escondido Municipal Code, the California Building
Code, the National Electrical Code, the California Energy Code, and
the California Green Building Standards Code.
(d)
Standards for street lighting installed on public rights-of-way and
private roads are found in the City of Escondido Engineering Design
Standards and Standard Drawings.
(e)
The types, locations, and controlling devices of outdoor light fixtures
for multifamily dwellings (six units or less) and single-family homes
shall minimize glare, light trespass, and artificial sky glow.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.20; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15; Ord. No. 2021-10, § 6, 10-27-21)
(a)
All outdoor light fixtures existing and legally installed prior to
the effective date of this article[1] are exempt from the requirements of this article, unless
work is proposed in any one year period so as to replace 50% or more
of the existing outdoor light fixtures or lamps, or to increase to
the extent of 50% or more the number of outdoor light fixtures on
the premises. In such a case, both the proposed and the existing outdoor
light fixtures shall conform to the provisions of this article and
shall be detailed on lighting plans prior to the issuance of applicable
building permits.
[1]
Editor's Note—The effective date of the ordinance codified
in this article is February 6, 1987.
(b)
All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by combustion
of fossil fuels, such as kerosene lanterns or gas lamps, are exempt
from the requirements of this article.
(c)
All outdoor light fixtures on facilities or lands owned, operated,
or controlled by the United States Government, the State of California,
the County of San Diego, or any other public entity or public agency
not subject to ordinances of this city are exempt from the requirements
of this article. Voluntary compliance with the intent of this article
at those facilities is encouraged.
(d)
Temporary uses and holiday lighting not exceeding 45 consecutive
days during any one-year period as determined by the director of community
development are exempt from the requirements of this article.
(e)
Any shielded light fixture that produces 4,050 lumens or less is
exempt from the requirements of this article. Examples of lamp types
of 4,050 lumens and below generally include:
(1)
200 watt standard incandescent and less;
(2)
150 watt tungsten-halogen (quartz) and less;
(3)
75 watt mercury vapor and less;
(4)
50 watt high pressure sodium and less;
(5)
50 watt metal halide and less;
(6)
40 watt fluorescent and less.
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Note: Because lumen output determines this exemption instead
of wattage, manufacturer's specifications with the lumen information
must be included with proposals applicable under this article.
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(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.30; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15; Ord. No. 2021-10, § 6, 10-27-21)
Where any provision of the statutes, codes or laws of the United
States of America or the State of California conflict with any provision
of this article, the most restrictive shall apply unless otherwise
required by law.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.40; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)
Any person who willfully violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of an infraction punishable under the provisions of section 1-17 of Chapter 1 of the Escondido Municipal Code.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.50; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)
