The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for outdoor lighting that will:
A. 
Preserve the access to the dark night sky enjoyed by Wildomar residents and residents of surrounding communities.
B. 
Reduce light pollution in order to support astronomical activity and protect the viability of the Palomar Observatory.
C. 
Minimize adverse off-site impacts of lighting such as light trespass, an obtrusive light, particularly in residential neighborhoods.
D. 
Conserve energy and resources to the greatest extent possible.
E. 
Ensure adequate lighting for the safety, security, and well-being of persons engaged in outdoor nighttime activities.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
The requirements of this chapter apply to all new construction, additions, and alterations to land uses, developments, buildings, structures, or light fixtures, as follows:
A. 
Major Additions/Modifications. The entire property, including legal, nonconforming lighting, shall be brought into compliance with the requirements of this chapter for:
1. 
Additions of 25% or more in terms of additional dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity, or parking spaces, either with a single addition or with cumulative additions subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
2. 
Modification or replacement of outdoor lighting fixtures legally installed constituting 25% or more of the actual lumens for the property.
B. 
Minor Additions/Modifications. Additions or modifications of less than 25% to existing uses or lighting shall require a submission of a complete inventory and site plan detailing all existing and any proposed new outdoor lighting. Any new lighting on the site shall meet the requirements of this chapter with regard to shielding and lamp type; the total amount of lighting after the modifications are complete shall not exceed that on the site before the modifications, or that permitted by this chapter, whichever is larger.
C. 
Change of Use or Activity. Whenever the use or activity of any existing building, structure, or premises is changed so that a discretionary approval by the planning commission or city council is required (e.g., conditional use permit, design review), all outdoor lighting shall be reviewed and brought into compliance as part of the approval process and as part of project implementation.
D. 
Resumption of Use after Abandonment. If a property or use with nonconforming lighting is abandoned, then all outdoor lighting shall be reviewed and brought into compliance with this chapter before the use is resumed.
E. 
Residential Areas. All lighting in residential zoning districts is subject to the requirements of Section 8.64.150 (Residential lighting provisions).
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
The following outdoor luminaires shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter when properly installed and in compliance with all other city requirements:
A. 
Security lighting up to a maximum of 11,000 lumens per parcel (5,000 lumens for residential parcels) is exempt only when triggered by motion or noise and must include a full cutoff shield to prevent light spill onto adjacent properties. All other security lights are subject to the requirements and limitations of this chapter.
B. 
Luminaires used or otherwise required by law enforcement or other emergency personnel.
C. 
Luminaires used to illuminate authorized public and private monuments. Lights must be shielded to prevent light spill onto neighboring properties.
D. 
Luminaires used to illuminate a flag of the United States or California if fully shielded downlighting is used. Uplighting may be used, but is not exempted from the provisions of this chapter.
E. 
Luminaires authorized by a provision of state or federal law as long as the lighting conforms to the requirements of said law.
F. 
Kerosene lanterns, gas lamps, and similar lighting that utilizes the combustion of fossil fuels.
G. 
Seasonal decorative lighting. Seasonal decorations using unshielded 50-watt or less incandescent lamps (or LED equivalent) are exempt from Thanksgiving to January 15th. These fixtures must be turned off between 11:00 P.M. and sunrise except for commercial operations, in which case they may be illuminated so long as the business is open.
H. 
Neon luminaires.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
A. 
Information Required. A temporary exemption application (minor plot plan) shall contain the following information:
1. 
Specific exemption(s) requested.
2. 
Duration of time of the requested exemption.
3. 
Type of lamp and lamp lumens.
4. 
Total wattage of lamp or lamps and number of lamps to be used.
5. 
Proposed location on premises of the outdoor lighting fixture(s).
6. 
Previous temporary exemptions, if any, and addresses of premises thereunder.
7. 
Physical size of outdoor light fixture(s) and type of shielding provided.
8. 
Other data and information that may be required by the Planning Director.
B. 
Approval. The planning department shall have five business days from the date of submission of the request for temporary exemption to act, in writing, on the request.
C. 
Duration. If approved, the exemption shall be valid for not more than 30 days from the date of issuance. The approval shall be renewable at the discretion of the Planning Director. Each such renewed exemption shall be valid for not more than 30 additional days. Only one renewal is permitted per year.
D. 
Searchlights. Searchlights may be permitted for grand-opening and special events only. The maximum permitted time period is 72 hours. Only one 72-hour period is permitted per land parcel per year.
E. 
Disapproval and Appeal. If the request for temporary exemption is disapproved, the person making the request will have appeal rights according to the procedures established by Section 17.216.060.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
The applicant for any building plan check, or plot plan, or other development permit as applicable required by the city in connection with proposed work involving outdoor lighting fixtures, shall submit (as part of the application for permit) evidence that the proposed work will comply with this chapter. The submission shall contain:
A. 
Plans indicating the location on the premises, and the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other devices, and a luminaire schedule.
B. 
Description of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, and other devices. The description may include, but is not limited to, catalog cut sheets by manufacturers and drawings (including sections where required).
C. 
Photometric data, such as that furnished by manufacturers, or similar showing the angle of cutoff or light emissions. Photometric data need not be submitted when the full cutoff performance of the fixture is obvious to the reviewing official.
D. 
Lumen calculation on plans shall be provided to demonstrate compliance with the lumen cap per Table 8.64.090-1, and which includes the following information:
1. 
Each exterior luminaire type with the lumens for that type, the quantity of each type, and whether the luminaire is full cutoff or unshielded.
2. 
The total of full cutoff and unshielded lumens for the parcel.
3. 
A statement of the lighting area, the size of the permitted parcel, and the maximum allowed full cutoff and unshielded lumens.
4. 
The above required plans, descriptions, and data shall be sufficiently complete to enable the plan's examiner to readily determine compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
5. 
Additional submittals may be required at the sole discretion of the Planning Director.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
Should any outdoor light fixture or the type of light source herein be changed after the permit has been issued, a change request must be submitted to the design professional and Planning Director for his or her approval, together with adequate information to assure compliance with this chapter, which must be received prior to substitution.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
The following lighting is prohibited within all Wildomar zoning districts:
A. 
Bottom-Mounted Sign Lighting. Bottom-mounted outdoor sign lighting attached to the sign structure shall not be used.
B. 
Mercury Vapor Lamps and Fixtures. The use and/or installation, sale, offer for sale, lease, or purchase of any mercury vapor lamp for use as outdoor lighting is prohibited.
C. 
Laser Source Light. The use of laser source light or any similar high-intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal, is prohibited.
D. 
Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited except as provided in Section 8.64.040 (Temporary lighting exemptions).
E. 
Distracting Lights. Outdoor luminaires shall not blink, flash or rotate.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings indicated in this chapter.
Adequately Shielded.
Shielding of an outdoor luminaire by opaque components or materials, such that light rays are limited to the parcel of origin and the light source is not visible from another property or public right-of-way.
Curfew.
A time established for listed lighting systems to be automatically extinguished.
Developed Area.
All improved surface area, including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, storage, service and manufacturing areas, assembly areas, parking, loading, driveways, and landscaping related to the uses, but not areas that are only cleared.
Development Project.
Any residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use subdivision plan or development plan which is submitted to the jurisdiction for approval or for permit.
Direct Illumination.
Illumination resulting from light emitted directly from a lamp or luminaire, not light diffused through translucent signs or reflected from other surfaces such as the ground or building faces.
Full Cutoff Light Fixture.
A full cutoff light fixture is a luminaire where no light output occurs at or above an angle of 90 degrees above the nadir. This applies to all lateral angles around the luminaire. Such candela information shall be as determined by a photometric test report from a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory and as certified by the manufacturer. Any structural part of the luminaire providing full cutoff angle shielding shall be permanently attached.
Glare.
Light emitting from an outdoor luminaire that causes reduced vision or momentary blindness.
Installed.
The attachment, or assembly fixed in place, whether or not connected to a power source, or any outdoor light fixture.
Lamp.
Generic term for a man-made source of light. In the context of this chapter, the lamp is the electrically powered light bulb, fluorescent or neon tube, or LED light source.
LED.
Light-emitting diode solid state lighting source.
Low Pressure Sodium (LPS).
Type of light fixture or lamp in which an electric current passes through a tube of sodium vapor and makes a yellow light.
Light Fixture.
The terms "light fixture" and "luminaire" may be used interchangeably in this document.
Light Source (Lamp).
An electric bulb, diode, or other device that produces artificial light or illumination.
Light Trespass.
Light falling across a property line onto another lot or parcel of land or onto a public right-of-way.
Lumen.
Unit of luminous flux; used to measure the amount of light emitted by lamps.
Luminaire.
The complete lighting assembly, less the support assembly. For purposes of determining total light output, lighting assemblies which include multiple lamps or light sources in a single housing shall be considered as a single luminaire. Two or more luminaires installed less than three feet apart shall be considered a single luminaire.
Opaque.
Opaque means that the material shall not transmit visible light.
Outdoor Light Fixture.
An outdoor illuminating device, luminaire, or other device that emits light, permanently installed or portable.
Outdoor Light Output—Total.
The total amount of light, measured in lumens, from all outdoor light sources. Total outdoor light output is determined as follows:
1. 
For all lamp types, the initial lumen output, as defined by the lamp manufacturer, shall be the lumen value used.
2. 
The total light output for each outdoor light fixture shall be based on the largest lamp that the outdoor light fixture is rated to accommodate. For the purpose of compliance with this section, the largest lamp rating for fluorescent and high-intensity discharge fixtures shall be based on the installed ballast rating.
3. 
It shall be permissible to adjust the lamp lumen rating of fluorescent lamps in accordance with the ballast factor for the specific ballast type installed.
Outdoor Luminaire.
Outdoor luminaires, whether permanent or portable, including general light fixtures, searchlights, spotlights, and floodlights, and the light cast by such fixtures.
Outdoor Recreation Facility.
An area, whether publicly or privately owned, designed for active recreation, including but not limited to baseball, soccer, football, golf, tennis, swimming pools, equestrian, and race tracks of any sort.
Right-of-Way.
An alley, road, street, or highway and associated sidewalks permanently dedicated for public or private use.
Shield.
An opaque component of the outdoor light fixture that blocks the transmission or emission of light as a means of controlling or directing the light emitted from the fixture. A permanently attached shield may be part of the fixture which contributes to the full cutoff lighting performance of the fixture.
Shielded.
An outdoor light fixture having shields permanently installed to provide full cutoff photometric performance.
Sign.
Every message, announcement, declaration, display, illustration, insignia, surface, or space erected or maintained in a location outside and visible to the public for identification, advertising, or promotion of the interest of any person, entity, product, or service.
Temporary Lighting.
Lighting which will not be used for more than one 30-day period within a calendar year, with one 30-day extension. Temporary lighting is intended for uses which by their nature are of limited duration, e.g., holiday decorations, civic events, or construction projects.
Unshielded.
Any light fixture or luminaire that is not a full cutoff light fixture.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
Table 8.64.090-1 provides requirements of the total light output permitted per acre for the different lighting areas and the fixture shielding requirements for lamp type and lighting area. These requirements shall be met for all lighting installations subject to this chapter.
A. 
Determining Compliance. For determining compliance with this chapter, the total lumens is the sum of the following:
1. 
100% of the lumens from outdoor light fixtures installed on grade, on poles, and on the top or sides of buildings or other structures.
2. 
50% of the lumens from underwater light fixtures unless the fixture is aimed at an angle of less than 45 degrees above the horizontal, in which case the calculated lumens is calculated at 10% of the rated lumens.
3. 
Fixtures installed under canopies and overhangs. Outdoor lighting fixtures shall not be counted in determining the total light output when they are full cutoff light fixtures installed under canopies, building overhangs, or roof eaves.
4. 
Unshielded light fixtures installed under canopies, building overhangs, or roof eaves shall be calculated at 100% of the luminaire total light output. Installation under canopies, overhangs, or roof eaves shall not provide full cutoff classification of unshielded light fixtures.
B. 
Shielding Requirements. All light fixtures that are required to be shielded shall be installed in such a manner that the shielding is effective and permanent.
1. 
Parking Lot Illumination. All parking lot lighting shall have no light emitted above 90 degrees.
2. 
Light Trespass. All outdoor luminaires shall be located, adequately shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the parcel of origin or onto the public right-of-way.
3. 
Cutoff Requirement and Height Limits. Light fixtures on the residential side of commercial property adjacent to residential property shall be full cutoff and shall be installed not higher than 14 feet above grade at the property line and no higher than a line rising 20 degrees above the 14 feet until 100 feet from the property line, measured perpendicular to the lot line.
4. 
House Side Shields. Outdoor lighting fixtures closer to the lot line than the mounting height of the fixture, measured perpendicular to the lot line, adjacent to residential areas, shall have internal house-side shields.
5. 
Fixtures within 25 Feet of Residential Lot Lines. Residential and commercial luminaires shall be full cutoff within 25 feet of adjacent residential property lines, measured perpendicular to the lot line.
6. 
Flood and Spot Lamps. Flood or spot lamps shall be aimed down no higher than 45 degrees to the horizontal (halfway between straight down and straight to the side) when the source is visible from any adjacent residential property.
C. 
Other than Full Cutoff Lighting. Unshielded fixtures or lighting sources shall not exceed 3,000 lumens per luminaire.
Table 8.64.090-1
Maximum Total Outdoor Light Output Requirements
Lumen Caps: Developed Area Lumens per Acre
Commercial and industrial "Option 1" (mostly low pressure sodium (LPS) lighting)
Total (full cutoff LPS, plus full cutoff non-LPS, plus unshielded)
350,000
Limit on non-LPS full cutoff
35,000
Limit on unshielded component (LPS or non-LPS)
11,000
Commercial and industrial "Option 2" (full cutoff for all lighting)
All lighting must be full cutoff
250,000
Limit on unshielded component
0
Commercial and industrial "Option 3" (full cutoff for most lighting)
Total (full cutoff plus unshielded)
175,000
Limit on unshielded component
11,000
All residential zoning
 
Total (full cutoff plus unshielded) (1)
55,000
Limit on unshielded component
11,000
Notes:
(1)
For residential lighting, if at least 75% of the installed lumens are from LPS sources, then the total lumens may be increased by 50%.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
The rated color temperature is a significant issue because higher color temperatures result in more glare, cause a higher level of light pollution, and interfere with astronomical observation. The rated color temperature of light sources (lamps and fixtures) shall not exceed 3,500K, with the following exceptions:
A. 
Recreation and special use lighting complying with this chapter.
B. 
Existing legal, nonconforming light fixtures may be relamped with greater than 3,500K-rated lamps when 3,500K or lower rated lamps are not manufactured for such fixtures.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
A. 
Unshielded Light Sources. Unshielded lighting shall be extinguished between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise the following day, with the following exceptions:
1. 
Unshielded lighting installed for the illumination of the flag of the United States of America is not subject to curfew requirements.
2. 
Unshielded lighting on installations classified as residential zoning otherwise in accordance with this chapter.
B. 
Illuminated Signs. Refer to Section 8.64.120.
C. 
Recreational Facilities. Refer to Section 8.64.130.
D. 
Outdoor Lighting Controls. The means of controlling the specific "off" curfew shall be by a 24-hour timing device that includes stand-by power to maintain the time and program for a minimum of six hours.
E. 
The requirements of this section apply to all new construction, additions, and alterations to land uses, developments, buildings, structures, or light fixtures, as noted in Section 8.64.020.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
External illumination for on-site signs shall conform to all provisions of the sign ordinance. In particular, such lighting shall conform to the lamp source, shielding requirements, color temperature, and lumen caps.
A. 
Lumen Cap. Outdoor internally illuminated signs are exempt from the lumen caps described in this chapter.
B. 
Color Temperature. Rated lamp color temperature shall not exceed 4,400K.
C. 
Exposed Lamps. Lamps not concealed from view by opaque or translucent material shall be considered outdoor lighting and shall conform to the lamp source, shielding requirements, color temperature, and lumen caps of this chapter.
D. 
LED, LCD, Plasma Screen, and Similar Signs. Outdoor LED, LCD, plasma, and similar signs shall be limited to a maximum luminous intensity of 200 nits (candela per square meter), full white mode, from sunset to sunrise.
E. 
Sign Illumination Curfew. Illuminated signs shall be turned off at the curfew times listed in Table 8.64.120-1 or when the business activities cease, whichever is later. Signs shall be turned off when the business activity relating to the sign has ceased for 30 days or more.
F. 
The requirements of this subsection apply to all new construction, additions, and alterations to land uses, developments, buildings, structures, or light fixtures, as noted in Section 8.64.020.
Table 8.64.120-1
Illuminated Sign Curfews Lighting Area
Shut-Off Deadline
Commercial and Industrial Zoning or Land Use
11:00 p.m.
All Residential Zoning or Land Use
10:00 p.m.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
Lighting for athletic fields, courts, or tracks shall be exempt from the lumens per acre limits of Table 8.64.090-1.
A. 
Full Cutoff Luminaires Required. All such lighting shall utilize full cutoff luminaires that are installed in a fashion that maintains the full cutoff characteristics unless certified by a registered engineer that such shielding is impractical. Every such lighting system design shall be certified by a registered engineer as conforming to all applicable restrictions of this ordinance. Where full cutoff fixtures are not utilized, acceptable luminaires shall include those which:
1. 
Are provided with internal and/or external glare control louvers and installed so as to limit direct uplight to less than five percent of the total lumens exiting from the installed fixtures and minimize off-site light trespass.
2. 
Are installed and maintained with minimum aiming angles of 25 degrees downward from the horizontal. Said aiming angle shall be measured from the axis of the luminaire maximum beam candlepower as certified by independent testing agency.
B. 
Lighting Not Directly Related to Athletic Areas. All site lighting not directly associated with the athletic playing areas shall conform to the lighting standards described in this ordinance, including, but not limited to, the lamp type and lumens per acre limits of Section 8.64.090.
C. 
Curfew Requirements.
1. 
Event Schedule. All events shall be scheduled so as to complete all activity before the curfew listed in Table 8.64.130-1. Illumination of the playing field, court, or track shall be permitted after the curfew only to conclude a scheduled event that was unable to conclude before the curfew due to unusual circumstances. Timing devices for recreational facilities may include a manual override setting which returns to the established program within one hour.
2. 
Allowable Operation and Turn-On Controls. Athletic field lighting not conforming to the shielding and lumen caps of Section 8.64.090 shall not be operated, except during those days and times when the athletic event occurs. Turn-on of the lighting shall be activated by manual control of the lighting system. The Planning Director may approve automatic controls for lighting turn-on if the applicant provides equivalent assurance that the lighting will not be operating at times when the facilities are not in use.
Table 8.64.130-1
Recreational Facilities Curfew
Shut-Off Deadline
12:00 a.m.
11:00 p.m.
D. 
The requirements of this subsection apply to all new construction, additions, and alterations to land uses, developments, buildings, structures, or light fixtures, as noted in Section 8.64.020.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
Lighting of public and private rights-of-way shall be fully shielded or comply with the outdoor lighting limits established in this chapter. In addition, lighting shall comply with source color temperature.
A. 
Traffic signal indications are exempt.
B. 
Illumination Levels of Rights-of-Way. The maximum average illumination level, as demonstrated by the computer printout, along the entire right-of-way being illuminated and over the right-of-way area only, shall be:
1. 
Expressway: 1.4 footcandles.
2. 
Major roads: 1.5 footcandles.
3. 
Collector roads: 1.0 footcandle.
4. 
Local roads: 0.4 footcandle.
C. 
Illumination Level of Intersections. The maximum maintained average illumination in the intersection area shall be two times the average of the maintained footcandles of the two types of roads at the intersections.
D. 
Minimum Source Efficacy. The minimum source efficacy to be used for light fixtures used in public right-of-way illumination shall be 60 lumens per watt.
E. 
The requirements of this subsection apply to all new construction, additions, and alterations to land uses, developments, buildings, structures, or light fixtures, as noted in Section 8.64.020.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
The following is a summary of all lighting provisions that apply to residential zoning districts:
A. 
Applicability.
1. 
Existing residential dwellings that are increased by more than 25% in size must be brought into full compliance with this chapter.
2. 
Minor additions of less than 25% expansion of existing square footage require that any new lighting meet the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Lighting Exemptions.
1. 
Seasonal Decorative Lighting. Unshielded 50-watt or less incandescent lamps (or LED equivalent) are exempt from Thanksgiving to January 15th. These fixtures must be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
2. 
Security Lighting, Only if Triggered by Motion or Sound. Must include a full cutoff shield to prevent light spill onto adjacent properties. Up to 5,000 lumens is exempt, with any additional security lighting subject to the provisions of this ordinance.
C. 
Prohibitions (see Section 8.64.070).
D. 
Shielding Requirements.
1. 
All outdoor luminaires shall be located, adequately shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the parcel of origin or onto the public right-of-way.
2. 
Unshielded fixtures or lighting sources shall not exceed 3,000 lumens per luminaire.
E. 
Lighting Intensity.
1. 
The maximum permitted lumens per acre for residential parcels is 55,000 lumens per acre, with an 11,000-lumen limit on the unshielded component.
2. 
In lieu of calculating total lumens per this section, a single residential lot of any size shall be considered in compliance with the lumen cap if it has a maximum of five 850-lumen (60-watt incandescent or 13-watt compact fluorescent) full cutoff luminaires.
3. 
If at least 75% of the installed lumens are from LPS sources, the total lumens may be increased by 50%.
F. 
Light fixtures shall not exceed a color temperature of 3,500 K (warm white light).
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)
Outdoor luminaires not meeting the requirements of this chapter shall be brought into compliance only when installed as part of new construction or major modifications per Section 8.64.020.
A. 
Redirection of the luminaire.
B. 
Shielding of the light source.
C. 
Redesign or relocation of the luminaire.
D. 
Replacement of the luminaire with a conforming luminaire.
E. 
Removal of the luminaire.
(Ord. 75 § 2, 2013)