A. Purpose: It is the purpose of the exterior lighting code to ensure the rights of all property owners to light their own properties. Individual property owners have a right to light their own properties. Property owners do not have the right to adversely illuminated other properties. Exterior lighting by one property owner can adversely affect the right of privacy and enjoyment of another property owner. A property owner who is adversely illuminating another's property is not protected by the "legally existing non-conforming" provisions of this title because compliance can be achieved with simple, economical methods. Lighting compliance is expected of all property owners.
a. If the luminaires are less than eight hundred (800) lumens per fixture or if the fixture uses one sixty (60) watt incandescent lamp, provided the light fixture has an opaque top or is completely recessed in a soffit.
b. Building soffit lighting that is recessed beyond the surface of the soffit material and does not exceed luminary limits of 2a above.
c. Floodlights with external shielding of the light source and angled downward at least thirty (30) degrees, or sufficiently, to prevent lighting of adjacent properties.
d. Lights used only to light athletic courts when all reasonable measures have been taken to minimize lighting of surrounding properties. Such lighting shall not operate later than ten o’clock (10:00) p.m. All adjacent luminaires surrounding an athletic complex are not exempt.
E. Existing lighting on all properties: Properties that have installed exterior lighting prior to the adoption date of this code shall be considered non-conforming with lighting requirement of this title. When existing lights adversely affect the privacy of adjacent property owners and are deemed to be a nuisance, the following process shall be used to resolve the concerns of adjacent property owners:
1. Written complaints will be accepted from property owners and/or occupants adversely affected by lights from other properties. Photographs depicting the detrimental lighting shall be included with the complaint. Complaints shall not be anonymous.
If it is determined that a complaint is valid and subject lights do not comply with these requirements, the city shall send a letter to require relief for adjacent property owners by voluntary compliance. A complaint shall be determined valid if an unshielded source of the light can be seen from adjacent properties and if it is determined that it is reasonable to take enforcement action. The compliance letter shall suggest economical ways to conform, such as, changing luminaries to reduce lighting, shielding the light source at the light fixture with paint or tape, or removing lights, dimming lights, and/or turning lights off during normal sleeping hours. The letter shall include a date for the property owner to comply.
2. If compliance is not achieved by the date to comply, the City shall process a Notice of Violation beginning the Administrative Enforcement procedures prescribed in Chapter 10.60.
D. Height and Placement of Exterior Luminaires: Parking area luminaires shall not emit light beyond the property lines of the development. The light source within the luminary must be concealed and not visible from adjacent properties. Freestanding luminaires on private property in residential zones shall be no taller than twelve (12) feet. Luminaires for public street lights and public athletic fields are exempt from height regulations. (Ord. 2019-04, 10-16-2019; amd. Ord. 2021-05, 6-2-2021)