18-20.120 Night Sky Preservation.
a. Purpose and Intent. To establish outdoor lighting regulations that encourage lighting practices and systems that will:
1. Permit reasonable uses of outdoor lighting for nighttime safety, utility, security and enjoyment while preserving the ambience of night;
2. Curtail and reverse any degradation of the nighttime visual environment and the night sky;
3. Minimize glare and obtrusive light by limiting outdoor lighting that is misdirected, excessive or unnecessary;
4. Help protect the natural environment from the damaging effects of night lighting;
5. Meet the minimum requirements of the California Code of Regulations for Outdoor Lighting and Signs (Title 24, Chapter 6);
6. Compliance with other laws or ordinances may require minimum illumination levels for specific applications and may conflict with these regulations. In such cases, those laws or ordinances shall govern.
b. Application Requirements. Whenever a person is required to obtain a building permit, electrical permit for outdoor lighting or signage, and/or approval of any development project, the applicant shall, as a part of said application, submit sufficient information to enable the Community Development Department to determine whether the proposed lighting will comply with the provisions of this section. The application shall include information determined appropriate by the Community Development Department that accurately describes projected illumination levels which shall include working drawings and details as described in the City’s Lighting Checklist as provided and maintained by the Director. The application fees commensurate with the costs of processing and reviewing applications and administering this chapter shall be collected at the time the application is filed.
c. Operational Standards. Outdoor lighting shall be designed, installed and maintained to prevent nighttime sky light pollution, preserve and enhance visibility of stars and use energy efficiently by lighting only those areas or objects necessary for safety and security. All outdoor lighting shall conform to the following regulations:
1. Outdoor lighting shall be directed downward and away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way.
2. No lighting on private property shall produce an illumination level greater than two (2) maintained horizontal footcandles at grade on any property within a residential zoning district except on the site of the light source.
3. The maximum light intensity on a residential site shall not exceed a maintained value of ten (10) footcandles, when measured at finished grade.
4. The maximum light intensity on a nonresidential site, except auto sales lots, ATMs and sports fields, shall not exceed a maintained value of ten (10) footcandles, when measured at finished grade.
5. The maximum light intensity on an ATM shall not exceed a maintained value of twenty (20) footcandles, when measured at finished grade.
6. The maximum light intensity on an auto sales lot shall not exceed a maintained value of forty (40) footcandles, when measured at finished grade.
7. The maximum light intensity on a sports field shall not exceed a maintained value of fifty (50) footcandles, when measured three (3') feet above grade. Baseball field lighting and lighting for other recreational uses may be increased to a maintained value of one hundred (100) footcandles with approval of the Director.
8. Outdoor lighting shall be completely turned off or significantly dimmed at the close of business hours unless lighting is essential for security or safety (e.g., illumination of parking areas, ATMs and plazas).
10. Outdoor flood light projection above the horizontal plane is prohibited, unless exempted by Section 18-20.120(e).
11. All upward directed sign lighting, including illumination of billboards, is prohibited, unless exempted by Section 18-20.120(e).
12. Outdoor sports fields shall not be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude a scheduled recreational or sporting event in progress prior to 11:00 p.m.
d. Lighting Standards. Lighting shall comply with the requirements of the City’s Lighting Design Standards adopted by Council resolution.
e. Exemptions. The following lighting fixtures are exempt from the requirements of this section:
1. Neon and other low intensity outdoor lighting fixtures used for signage or architectural decoration that are approved through design review.
2. Outdoor lighting fixtures on public rights-of-way; provided, that measures have been taken to mitigate impacts on surrounding properties and the night sky.
3. Emergency lighting operated by public agencies or for the purpose of aviation safety.
4. All temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways, utilities and other public infrastructure.
5. Non-electric lighting such as gas lamps or kerosene lanterns.
6. Temporary lighting equipment and seasonal lighting equipment; provided, that individual lamps are ten (10) watts or less.
7. Accent lighting for architectural features, national flags, statues, public art, signage or other objects of interest provided the fixture emits a very narrow cone of light for the purpose of confining the light to the object of interest and minimizing spill-light and glare. Accent lighting is subject to Director’s approval. (Ord. #248-2020, S2 (Exh. A))