It shall be unlawful for any person, other than a municipality or public utility engaged in street lighting, to operate a light bulb, light source, or any other light emitting or light reflecting device in such a manner that the light emitted therefrom shall shine or reflect upon or through a window or door of a residential structure used for human occupation with such an intensity as to offend a reasonable person not personally involved in a dispute with neighbors unless the use of the light source at the level of intensity at which it is used is imminently necessary for the preservation of health or safety and such objectives cannot be obtained in a less offensive manner.
(Ord. 1750 § 1 (part), 8-25-1987; Ord. 2011 § 1 Exh. A (part), 8-27-1996)
(a) 
Spite Cases. It is the policy of the city of South Gate that this chapter shall not be used as a method to enhance or aggravate a civil dispute between neighbors; but without regard to the existence of a civil dispute between neighbors. this chapter should be vigorously enforced where a violation of this chapter is occurring under circumstances that would offend a reasonable person not personally involved in such a dispute.
(b) 
Complaint Basis Enforcement. It is the policy of the city of South Gate that this chapter shall only be enforced where a neighbor who is a resident in the vicinity of where the offending light is located has complained about the offending light to the city. However, this is a matter of policy only, and it shall not be considered to be an element of the crime herein described to require the testimony of the offended party. The city of South Gate does hereby deem the director of building and safety to be a person of reasonable sensitivity who is qualified to give testimony in that regard.
(c) 
Warnings. It is the policy of the city of South Gate that this chapter shall not be enforced until a warning is first given to the violating party that the light source is in violation of this chapter, and the person is given a reasonable opportunity to correct same. However, this is a matter of policy only, and it shall not be considered to be an element of the crime herein described to prove the existence of a prior warning.
(Ord. 1750 § 1 (part), 8-25-1987; Ord. 2011 § 1 Exh. A (part), 8-27-1996)