The purpose of this chapter is to provide development standards to control outdoor lighting in order to maintain adequate visibility and safety, conserve energy, and also protect against direct glare, excessive lighting, and light trespass. In addition, this chapter aims to preserve the community’s character and enhance the ability to view the nighttime sky.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
The standards of this chapter apply to all new development and to all exterior alterations and additions that involve replacement of exterior light fixtures or systems, except as provided below.
A. 
Exemptions. The following types of lighting are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
1. 
Interior Lighting. All forms of interior lighting and light fixtures, unless directed toward or illuminating the exterior of the structure, creating a lantern effect or nighttime glow that impacts neighboring homes or public viewing areas.
2. 
Emergency Lighting. Temporary emergency lighting needed by police, fire, or other emergency service providers.
3. 
City Facilities. Lighting required pursuant to ordinance or law that are owned or operated by the City.
4. 
Federal and State Facilities or Requirements. Lighting required pursuant to State or Federal law or for facilities and lands owned or operated as protected by the U.S. Federal Government or the State of California.
5. 
Seasonal Lights. Temporary lighting installed and operated for the time period commencing 30 days prior to the festivity or holiday and extending no later than 30 days afterwards, provided that no individual light fixture or lamp exceeds 10 watts and 70 lumens.
6. 
Temporary Exemptions. Any individual may submit a written request to the Director for a temporary exemption from one or more requirements of this chapter. If approved, such exemption will be valid for up to 30 days, renewable at the discretion of the Director. Lighting associated with an approved Temporary Use Permit is considered an approved temporary exemption from the requirements of this chapter. The request for a temporary exemption must describe:
a. 
The reason and type of each specific exemption being requested;
b. 
Type and use of exterior lighting involved;
c. 
Duration of time for requested exemption;
d. 
Type of lamp and calculated lumens;
e. 
Total wattage of lamp or lamps;
f. 
Proposed locations of exterior lighting;
g. 
Previous temporary exemptions at the site, if any; and
h. 
Physical size of exterior lighting and type(s) of shielding provided.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
The following types of exterior lighting are prohibited in all Zone Districts.
A. 
Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for advertising or attention-getting purposes.
B. 
Nighttime Recreational Facility Lighting. No outdoor recreational facility, public or private, may be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. unless a temporary use permit for a special event has been approved.
C. 
Uplighting. Exterior lights directed upward to light up or otherwise illuminate structures, signage, or landscaping unless fully shielded to prevent any light trespass and approved by the Design Review Board.
D. 
Mercury Vapor. Mercury vapor, fluorescent lights.
E. 
Other Types of Light. Laser lights or any other lighting that flashes, blinks, alternates, or moves, and any form of lighting that does not comply with the requirements of this chapter. This prohibition does not apply to lights that are exempt, pursuant to this chapter, nor to digital displays, regulated in Chapter 17.40, Signs.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
Outdoor lighting must be designed to be an integral part of the built environment, reflecting a balance for the lighting needs with the contextual ambient light level and surrounding nighttime characteristics of the community. Lighting for commercial installations adjacent to or near residential uses must be compatible with and not directly or purposely illuminate or unintentionally spill into nearby residential uses.
A. 
Design of Fixtures. Fixtures must be appropriate to the style and scale of the architecture it is illuminating.
B. 
Timing Controls.
1. 
Outdoor lighting must be turned off during daylight hours and during any hours when the structure is not in use. Photocells or photocontrols must be used to automatically extinguish all outdoor lighting when sufficient daylight is available.
2. 
Outdoor lighting that is not otherwise exempt from this chapter may utilize automated control systems such as motion sensors in non-residential development. However, when an automated control system is utilized, the timer switches must be programmed to keep any lights on for no more than 10 minutes after activation.
C. 
Light Trespass. To prevent light trespass or glare onto adjacent properties or protected ESHA, all lights must be directed downward, fully shielded, and full cutoff. The light level at property lines must not exceed 0.1 foot-candles and must be directed away from ESHAs.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
A. 
Height of Wall-Mounted Fixtures. In pedestrian-oriented areas, no portion of a wall-mounted fixtures may be more than 12 feet in height above finished grade at the base of the wall, unless a greater height is approved by the Review Authority specifically for accentuating historic architectural features of a building, accentuating signage and/or landscape features, or for security.
B. 
Pedestrian Area Lighting. Lighting of pedestrian areas shall be of minimum height and intensity to provide adequate illumination and safety and must not create glare or over-spill onto adjacent lots.
C. 
Parking Lot Lighting. Parking lot lighting must be designed to provide the minimum lighting necessary to ensure adequate vision, comfort and safety in parking areas and to not cause glare or direct illumination onto adjacent properties or streets.
1. 
Parking lot and pole-mounted security lighting must not exceed maximum mounting height of 14 feet to the top of the fixture including any base within 100 feet of an “R” Zone District. In all other areas, parking and security lighting must not exceed a maximum height of 20 feet. The Review Authority may allow light fixtures to exceed 20 feet in height in large parking lots that may require higher and fewer poles for aesthetic reasons, and to better accomplish lighting uniformity.
D. 
Exterior Display/Sales Areas. Lighting levels on exterior display/sales areas must be adequate to facilitate the activities taking place in such locations and may not be used to attract attention to the business.
1. 
Areas designated as exterior display/sales areas must be illuminated so that the average horizontal illuminance is no more than five foot-candles.
2. 
Fixtures must be mounted no more than 20 feet above finished grade and the concrete pedestals used to protect the light pole must not exceed 24 inches in height and must be included in the overall height calculation.
E. 
Service and Gas Stations. Lighting levels on gasoline station/convenience store aprons and under canopies must be adequate to facilitate the activities taking place in such locations.
1. 
Fixtures must be mounted no more than 20 feet in height above finished grade.
2. 
Light fixtures mounted on the bottom surface of canopies must be recessed so that the lens cover is recessed or flush with the bottom surface of the canopy and/or shielded by the fixture or the edge of the canopy.
3. 
All other light sources must comply with all General Requirements of Section 17.35.040 above.
F. 
Signs. Lighting of signs must comply with all applicable standards for signage specified in Chapter 17.40, Signs.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)
An outdoor lighting plan must be submitted with the permit application whenever exterior lighting is proposed or required as a part of any development not otherwise specifically listed as exempt from the requirement of this chapter, pursuant to Section 17.35.020, Lighting—Applicability.
A. 
General Requirements. A required Lighting Plan must be depicted on a separate plan sheet and at a minimum must contain the following information:
1. 
The location of each existing and proposed outdoor light fixture within the development area. This information must be shown on the landscape plan to demonstrate coordination of fixtures and tree plantings. The location of light fixtures and landscaping on adjacent properties and on the street right-of-way that effect lighting/landscaping on the project is also necessary;
2. 
Lighting manufacturer-supplied specifications (“cut sheets”) that include photographs and manufacturer model number(s) of the fixtures, indicating the certified “cut off characteristics” of each fixture proposed;
3. 
Lamp source type (e.g., bulb type, lumen output, wattage, etc.);
4. 
Mounting height for each luminaire and depiction of the direction each fixture is aimed;
5. 
Total lumens and light temperature for each fixture, and total square footage of areas to be illuminated; and
6. 
Types of timing devices used to control the hours set for illumination, as well as the proposed hours when each fixture will be operated.
B. 
Additional Requirements. A project that is subject to an approved lighting plan shall be subject to the following additional requirements:
1. 
No changes to approved outdoor light fixtures may occur without prior review and approval by the City.
2. 
No additional exterior lighting may be added to the site without review and approval by the City.
3. 
Non-Single Unit Dwellings. For all development except single unit dwellings, the applicant must provide photometric diagrams and data, color rendering index of all lamps, and computer generated photometric grid showing foot-candle readings every 10 feet within the property or site and 10 feet beyond the property lines. The grid should also indicate maximum and minimum uniformity for each specific use area.
(Ord. 20-03 § 6)