(A) Applicability.
(1) Unless otherwise exempt by division (B) Exempt Lighting, all outdoor lighting fixtures for new multifamily residential, commercial, industrial, mixed use, and public/quasi-public uses require development review approval by the designated approving authority pursuant to § 25.02.001 Development Review. Such approval shall be granted in conjunction with required land use and development permits for a project.
(2) Any retrofit or amendment to an existing site and/or building lighting that would have a measurable impact on abutting property or views from street right-of-way as determined by the Planning Director shall require Minor Development Review approval.
(3) All outdoor lighting shall comply with the standards in Chapter 19.31 of the County Code. Where the standards in this section and Chapter 19.31 conflict, the more restrictive standard shall apply.
(B) Exempt lighting. The following items shall be exempt from minor development review requirements:
(1) All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as kerosene lanterns or gas fixtures.
(2) Temporary lights used for holiday decorations.
(3) Lighting for temporary uses and special events permitted consistent with § 25.02.004.
(C) Prohibited lighting. The following types of lighting are prohibited, except when specifically approved through development review:
(1) Neon or similar tubing or band lighting along buildings and/or structures as articulation, except as approved through development review.
Neon or similar lighting as an architectural feature is prohibited unless specifically approved through a development review approval.
(2) Search lights, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity light, except for emergency use by police or fire personnel at their discretion, or for lighting approved by the County for a temporary event or other purpose.
(3) Lighting fixtures operated in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or danger to persons or to safe vehicular travel.
(4) Illumination of entire buildings, except for public, civic, and religious buildings.
(5) Roof-mounted lighting except for security purposes.
(6) Moving, flashing, or animated lighting.
(D) General lighting standards. The following standards shall apply to all outdoor lighting.
(1) Maintenance. Fixtures and lighting shall be maintained in good working order and in a manner that serves the original design intent.
(2) Shielding. Except as otherwise exempt, all outdoor lighting shall be constructed with full shielding and/or recessed to reduce light trespass to adjoining properties. 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 site (see the figure below regarding Shielding and Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures).
(3) Level of illumination.
(a) Outdoor lighting shall be designed to illuminate as needed for safety and security and to avoid the spillover of light onto adjacent properties.
(b) Illumination standards in residential, commercial, and industrial zones are as follows:
1. Parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures/areas and group mailboxes shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed four foot-candles of light.
2. Pedestrian walkways in commercial and industrial zones shall be illuminated with a minimum maintained one-half foot-candle of light and an average not to exceed two foot-candles of light.
3. Athletic facilities may exceed the specified levels of illumination as needed. Measures shall be taken to minimize glare off-site.
(4) Maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures. The maximum height of freestanding outdoor light fixtures and related structures is limited as follows:
(a) Eighteen feet when abutting or within 25 feet of residential zoning district.
(b) No height limit for lights on public property when used to illuminate athletic fields.
(c) Twenty-five feet for all other lights.
(d) Height shall be measured from the finish grade, inclusive of the pedestal, to the top of the fixture.
Measuring the height of a lighting fixture.
(5) Energy-efficient fixtures required. Outdoor lighting shall utilize energy-efficient fixtures and lamps as required by the Building Code and the Green Code. Wherever feasible, solar powered fixtures shall be used.
(6) Accent lighting. Architectural features may be illuminated by up lighting provided that the lamps are low intensity to produce a subtle lighting effect and no glare or light trespass is produced. In the Hollister Municipal Airport Influence Area, up lighting is not permitted.
(7) Signs. Lighting of signs shall be in compliance with the Signs section of this title.
(8) Sports fields/outdoor activity areas. Where playing fields or other special 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. Lights shall be turned off within one hour after the end of the event, and no later than 11:00 p.m.
(9) Alternative designs, materials, and installations. The designated approving authority may grant approval of alternatives to this section as part of a development review process.
(E) Outdoor lighting plans required.
(1) When required. A preliminary outdoor lighting plan shall be submitted as part of each planning permit application, and a final plan shall be submitted as part of an application for a building permit for a new structure or an addition of 25% of the gross floor area, seating capacity, or parking spaces. A final outdoor lighting plan is required for all new outdoor lighting installations on commercial, mixed-use, multiunit residential, industrial, and institutional properties. The Director may request outdoor lighting plans from applicants for other types of projects due to location, size, or proposed use, as necessary.
(2) Plan content. At a minimum, an outdoor lighting plan shall include the following:
(a) Manufacturer specifications sheets, cut sheets, and other manufacturer-provided information for all proposed outdoor light fixtures to show fixture diagrams and outdoor light output levels;
(b) The proposed location, mounting height, and aiming point of all outdoor lighting fixtures;
(c) If building elevations are proposed for illumination, drawings of all relevant building elevations showing the fixtures, the portions of the elevations to be illuminated, the illumination level of the elevations, and the aiming point for any remote light fixture;
(d) Photometric data showing foot-candle readings every ten feet within the property or site and ten feet beyond the property lines.
(Ord. 1043 § 3 (part), 2022)