The requirements listed below shall apply to all outdoor lighting.
A. Nuisance Prevention. All outdoor lighting shall be designed, located, installed, directed downward or toward structures, fully shielded, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass, and light pollution.
B. Maintenance. Fixtures and lighting shall be maintained in good working order and in a manner that serves the original design intent.
1. Burnt out and broken light bulbs shall be replaced.
2. Lighting fixtures shall remain free of graffiti and rust.
3. Painted light fixtures shall be maintained to minimize chipping or peeling.
C. Shielding. Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be recessed and/or constructed with full downward shielding in order to reduce light and glare impacts on trespass to adjoining properties and public rights-of-way. Each fixture shall be directed downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way, so that no light fixture directly illuminates an area outside of the project site intended to be illuminated. See Figure 17.46.050-1 (Shielding and Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures).
D. Level of Illumination. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to illuminate at the minimum level necessary for safety and security and to avoid the harsh contrasts in lighting levels between the project site and adjacent properties. Illumination requirements are as follows:
1. Public, civic, and religious buildings are permitted to be fully illuminated during hours of operation. After hours of operation, lighting may be dimmed or turned off such that only lighting essential for security or safety shall be maintained.
2. In general, parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures/areas, public phones, and group mailboxes shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one (1) foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed four (4) foot-candles of light. Parking lots for banks, convenience stores, card rooms, check cashing businesses, and emergency shelters shall provide a minimum level of illumination of one and one half (1.5) foot-candles across the parking lot during operating hours.
3. Pedestrian walkways intended for use after dark shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one-half (1/2) foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed two (2) foot-candles of light.
4. Entryways and exterior doors of non-residential structures shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness, with a minimum maintained one (1) foot-candle of light, measured within a five (5)-foot radius on each side of the door at ground level.
5. To minimize light trespass on abutting residential property, illumination measured at the nearest residential structure or rear yard setback line shall not exceed the moon's potential ambient illumination of one-tenth (1/10) foot-candle.
6. Signs. Lighting of signs shall be in compliance with Chapter 17.52 (Signs) of this code.
7. Sports Fields/Outdoor Activity Areas. Where playing fields or other specialty activity areas are to be illuminated, lighting fixtures shall be mounted, aimed, and shielded so that the light falls within the primary playing area and no significant off-site light trespass is produced. Additionally, the lights shall be turned off within one (1) hour after the end of the event.
8. Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. Wireless telecommunication facilities and related equipment shall be unlit except as provided in Chapter 17.76 (Wireless Communication Facilities).
E. Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures. The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures abutting residential development shall be 18 feet. Otherwise, the maximum height for freestanding outdoor light structures shall be 24 feet. Height shall be measured from the finish grade, inclusive of the pedestal, to the top of the fixture. See Figure 17.46.050-1 (Shielding and Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures). (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)
F. Energy-Efficient Fixtures Required. Outdoor lighting shall utilize energy-efficient fixtures and lamps, such as high pressure sodium, metal halide, low pressure sodium, hard-wired compact fluorescent, or other lighting technology that is of equal or greater efficiency. All new outdoor lighting fixtures shall be energy efficient with a rated average bulb life of not less than ten thousand (10,000) hours.
G. Accent Lighting. Architectural features may be illuminated by uplighting provided that the lamps are low intensity to produce a subtle lighting effect and no glare or light trespass is produced. Wherever feasible, solar-powered fixtures shall be used.
H. Alternative Designs, Materials, and Installations. The designated approving authority may grant approval of alternatives to this section as part of comprehensive design review (Section 17.12.150). (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)