The purpose of this chapter is to encourage lighting practices and systems which will: minimize light pollution, glare, light trespass, conserve energy and resources while maintaining night-time safety, utility, security and productivity; and curtail the degradation of the night time visual environment. The Board of Supervisors recognizes that topographic and atmospheric conditions within the county are uniquely suited for astronomical observation, that an observatory has been established at Fremont Peak State Park and that star gazing activities are also provided at Pinnacles National Monument. Therefore, the Board of Supervisors, through the provisions herein contained, desires and intends to preserve and protect the nighttime visual environment by regulating outdoor lighting, which interferes with astronomical observations and the enjoyment of the night sky, while simultaneously promoting energy conservation and maintaining night time safety, utility, security and productivity. The adverse effects of outdoor lighting on the light pollution over light-sensitive park areas is strongly dependent on the distance of those lights from the parks, therefore, three lighting zones are hereby established, allowing increased flexibility in the uses of outdoor lighting at greater distances from these light-sensitive park areas.
(1966 Code, § 32-1) (Ord. 748 § 1(part))