12.14.240 Exterior lighting | Bothell Municipal Code

12.14.240 Exterior lighting.

A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate exterior lighting by promoting the principles of good lighting design, including:

1. Permit reasonable amounts of exterior lighting for night-time safety, utility, security, productivity, enjoyment and commerce;

2. Minimize adverse off-site impacts including light trespass, glare, and night glow;

3. Conserve energy and resources to the greatest extent possible; and

4. Curtail light pollution and preserve the night-time environment.

B. Definitions. The following definitions are listed in alphabetical order for the purpose of exterior lighting regulations, and shall apply to the administration of this section. In addition, except as otherwise provided in this section, those definitions as contained in Chapter 11.02 BMC are adopted and incorporated into this section by reference.

“Adjacent grade” means the grade directly below a luminaire (light fixture) on a plumb line or nearest grade thereto based upon city-approved finish grade.

“Astronomic time switch” means an automatic lighting control device that operates as an on/off switch for outdoor lighting relative to the time of solar day with time of year correction.

“Canopy” means a covered, unconditional structure with at least one side open for pedestrian and/or vehicular access.

“Common outdoor areas” means one or more of the following: a common parking for three or more domiciles or buildings; a common parking garage or covering entrance intended to be used by three or more domiciles or buildings; a common entrance for three or more domiciles or buildings.

“Curfew” means a time defined by the authority when outdoor lighting is reduced to a specified maximum level or extinguished.

“Emergency conditions” means a loss of electrical power, fire, security alarm, or other situation requiring uninterrupted illumination for the path of egress.

“Fully shielded luminaire” means a luminaire typically with opaque top and sides, capable of only emitting light in the lower photometric hemisphere as installed.

“Glare” means a light entering the eye directly from luminaires that causes visual discomfort or reduced visibility.

“Hardscape area” means area in square feet of all hardscape including any medians, walkways, landscape areas 10 feet or less in width within the hardscape area.

“Hardscape perimeter” means a perimeter in linear feet of all hardscape outside perimeter plus perimeter around buildings and structures greater than 10 feet in width.

“IDA” means the International Dark-Sky Association.

“IESNA” means the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

“Illuminated area” means an exterior area for which lighting of reasonable uniformity and illumination is provided; not incidentally lighted or partially lighted.

“Improved area” means the area of a specific use, measured in plain view.

“Initial lamp lumens” means the lumen rating of a lamp when the lamp is new and has not depreciated in light output (rated lamp lumens). Lamp lumen depreciation equals 1.0.

“Intended manner” means the manner of use of the product generally as listed, advertised and/or per manufacturer’s standard installation instructions.

“Lamp” means a generic term for a source created to produce optical radiation (i.e., “light”), often called a bulb or tube.

“Lamp watts” means the rated watts of the lamp, not including the watts of external auxiliaries.

“Landscape lighting” means lighting not mounted to poles or buildings, for the purpose of illumination of trees, shrubbery and other natural external elements.

“Light pollution” means light trespass, and excessive light levels, beyond what is necessary to perform the defined task.

“Light trespass” means unwanted light that falls on neighboring properties.

“Lighting equipment” means equipment specifically intended to provide electric illumination, including, but not limited to, luminaire(s), poles, posts, and related structures, electrical wiring, and other necessary or auxiliary components.

“Lighting system” means on a site, all exterior artificial lighting sources, associated infrastructure and controls.

“Lighting zone (LZ)” means a designation assigned by the city for specified parcels, areas or districts defining allowable ambient lighting levels, operational characteristics and other control criteria.

“Low voltage landscape lighting” means electric lighting powered at less than 24 volts and limited to lamps of 50 watts or less, not mounted to poles or buildings, for the purpose of illuminating trees, shrubbery and other natural external elements.

“Lumens (lm)” means an international unit of luminous flux; light power corrected for Vλ, the human photopic sensitivity function.

“Luminaire” means the complete lighting unit assembly (entire fixture), consisting of a lamp, or lamps and ballast(s), drivers or transformers (when applicable), together with the parts designated to distribute the light (reflector, lens, diffuser), to position and protect the lamps, and to connect the lamps to the power supply.

“Mounting height” means the height of a luminaire above finished grade level. The horizontal spacing of poles is often measured in units of “mounting height.” Example: “The luminaires can be spaced up to four mounting heights apart.”

“New lighting” means lighting for areas not previously illuminated; newly installed lighting of any type except for replacement lighting or lighting repairs.

“Nontradable surface” means those surfaces where lighting power allowance amounts may be used only for the specific application identified within subsection F of this section and Table 12.14-2 and cannot be transferred to other surfaces or be used as a group.

“Opaque” means a solid material not allowing light to pass through.

“Ornamental lighting” means lighting that is not a sign and does not impact the function and safety of an area but is purely decorative, or used to illuminate architecture and/or landscaping, and installed for aesthetic effect.

“Partly shielded luminaire” means a luminaire in which the lamp is shielded by a translucent shade as to prevent light from being directly emitted by the lamp or reflector into the upper photometric hemisphere.

“Photoelectric switch” means a control device employing a photocell or photodiode to detect daylight and automatically switch lights off by day.

“Project” means installation of a lighting system under a single electrical permit or for a specific construction project, multiple permits when required for phased construction.

“Property line” means the boundary line, or lot line between platted or unplatted lots or both, defining the edges of a legally defined piece of property.

“Replacement lighting” means lighting installed specifically to replace existing lighting equipment that is sufficiently inoperable to be beyond repair(s).

“Repair(s)” means the reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing luminaire for the purpose of its ongoing operation, including but not limited to relamping or replacement of components such as capacitor, ballast, or photoelectric control.

“Residential luminaire” means luminaires used solely for compliance with Section V.

“Right-of-way” means the land, property, or interest therein acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes.

“Sales area” means exterior areas used for sales of retail goods and materials, including but not limited to automobiles, recreational vehicles, trailers, boats, building supplies, and gardening and nursery products.

“Seasonal lighting” means temporary lighting installed and operated in connection with holidays, community celebrations or traditions.

“Service yard” means uncovered exterior area specifically used for vehicular, marine or aviation service or for outdoor storage and/or loading of goods and materials.

“Shielded directional luminaire” means a fully shielded luminaire with an adjustable mounting device allowing aiming in a direction other than straight downward.

“Sign” is a communication device, structure, or fixture which incorporates graphics, symbols, or written copy for the purpose of conveying a particular message to public observers.

“Site” means a geographical area delineated by specific dimensions and coordinates or a complete land parcel defined by designated property boundaries as recorded by the authority.

“Sky glow” means the illumination of clouds, moisture and airborne matter by lighting.

“Temporary lighting” means lighting installed and operated for periods not to exceed 60 days, completely removed and not operated again for at least 30 days.

“Third party” means a party contracted to provide lighting, such as a utility company.

“Time switch” means an automatic lighting control device that operates as an on/off switch for outdoor lighting according to time of day.

“Tradable surface” means those surfaces where lighting power allowances may be traded or transferred from one surface to another surface resulting in an increase of the power allowance on one surface and a decrease of power allowance on other surfaces. Tradable surface power allowances may be added together used as a group. See subsection F of this section and Table 12.14-1.

“Translucent” means a material allowing light to pass through while obscuring or diffusing the lamp.

“Uplight” means, for an exterior luminaire, light emitted in the hemisphere at or above the horizontal plane.

“WS NREC” means the Washington State Non-Residential Energy Code (current version).

C. Applicability. These regulations shall be applicable to all exterior lighting whether attached to structures, poles, the earth, or any other location, installed in conjunction with development applications, including building permits, grading permits, utility permits, shorelines substantial development permits, conditional use permits, tenant improvement permits, and right-of-way invasion permits except as provided in subsection D of this section. Provided, however, that different land uses and development scale may be subject to specific exterior lighting provisions as provided below. Where the exterior lighting regulations within this section are in conflict with exterior lighting provisions of a subarea zoning regulation, or the conditions of approval for a conditional use permit or planned unit development, the subarea zoning regulations or conditions of approval shall control.

D. Exemptions. The following exterior lighting is exempt from the provisions of this section:

1. Lighting equipment placed within public rights-of-way intended solely for roadway and sidewalk illumination;

2. Lighting equipment used exclusively for signs;

3. Lighting equipment necessary for emergency situations and law enforcement actions;

4. Temporary lighting installed for holidays and celebrations; provided, that individual lamps are 10 watts or less;

5. Traffic control signals and devices;

6. Low voltage landscape lighting equipment controlled by a photoelectric switch or astronomic time switch;

7. Lighting equipment in swimming pools, spas, fountains, and other water features;

8. Temporary lighting equipment for theatrical, television, performance areas and construction sites;

9. Repairs to existing lighting equipment; provided, all light fixtures repaired or replaced shall comply with basic light glare and light pollution standards as detailed within subsection H of this section;

10. Lighting equipment for public monuments, flags, and statuary; and

11. Existing lighting equipment installed on or before January 22, 2011, for the following minor building or site alterations:

a. Tenant improvements that do not alter the building exterior;

b. Alterations or remodels that do not alter the building exterior;

c. Improvements to parking lots that do not increase the number of parking stalls;

d. Changes in use when the change is for uses listed within the same use table within Chapter 12.06 BMC. For example, BMC 12.06.050, Business and personal services, lists a number of similar uses, including architectural/engineering and banking and financial services. When the change in use is from one business and personal use to another business and personal use the change in use is exempt from these lighting regulations.

E. Lighting Zones. The city of Bothell has established lighting zones (LZ) which limits the amount of electrical energy used for exterior lighting as specified in subsection F of this section and Tables 12.14-1 and 12.14-2 (see Figure 12.14-20 for a map of zone locations). The descriptive criteria for each lighting zone shall be as follows:

1. Lighting Zone 1 (LZ1). Low ambient lighting including developed areas of national parks, state parks, forest land, and rural areas. No Lighting Zone 1 areas have been identified within the city of Bothell;

2. Lighting Zone 2 (LZ2). Moderate ambient lighting areas including lands predominately consisting of residential zoning, neighborhood business districts, light industrial with limited night-time use and residential mixed use areas. These areas are depicted on Figure 12.14-20 and include the following zoning classifications: R 40,000; R 9,600; R 8,400; R 7,200; R 5,400a; R 5,400d; R 4,000; R 2,800; OP; R 5,400a, OP; R 2,800, OP; MHP; SSHO; R 40,000 (LID); R 9,600 (LID), R 5,400a (LID); C; SVV; PPOS; DT; and OP, LI;

3. Lighting Zone 3 (LZ3). Moderately high ambient lighting areas such as commercial districts. These areas are depicted on Figure 12.14-20 and include the following zoning classifications: CB; R 4,000, OP, CB; R 4,000, OP, NB; R-AC, OP, CB, LI; R-AC, OP, CB, MVSO; OP, CB, MVSO; OP, CB, LI, MVSO; SR-522; and GDC; and

4. Lighting Zone 4 (LZ4). High ambient lighting including high activity commercial districts in major metropolitan areas. No Lighting Zone 4 areas have been identified within the city of Bothell. However, pursuant to subsection (I)(2)(b) of this section, an applicant of a large development may request Lighting Zone 4 high ambient lighting energy levels;

5. Lighting zone power allowances shall be based upon subsection F of this section and Tables 12.14-1 and 12.14-2.

F. Exterior Lighting Power Allowances (ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1). The city of Bothell is utilizing the exterior lighting power allowances as promulgated by the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Hearing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA) Standard 90.1 to promote energy efficiency and reduce power consumption associated with exterior lighting. Certain modifications to the standard have been incorporated to accommodate lighting zones as described in subsection E of this section.

1. The total exterior lighting power allowance for exterior areas shall be the sum of the individual lighting power densities specified in Tables 12.14-1 and 12.14-2 plus the base power allotment specified for the lighting zone of the subject property.

2. Transference or trade-offs of lighting power densities may only occur between exterior surfaces listed as tradable surfaces in Table 12.14-1.

Table 12.14-1 Lighting Power Allowances Tradable Surfaces
		Zone 2	Zone 3	Zone 4
Base Site Allowance (All properties are allowed the base site allowance and may use the base site allowance for either tradable or nontradable surfaces but cannot be combined)		600 W	750 W	1300 W
	Building Grounds
	Walkways less than 10 feet wide	0.7 W/linear foot	0.8 W/linear foot	1.0 W/linear foot
	Walkways 10 feet wide or greater	0.14 W/ft²	0.16 W/ft²	0.2 W/ft²
	Plaza areas
	Special feature areas
	Uncovered Parking Areas
	Parking areas and drives	0.06 W/ft²	0.10 W/ft²	0.15 W/ft²
Tradable Surfaces (Lighting power densities for uncovered parking areas, building grounds, building entrances and exits, canopies and overhangs and outdoor sales areas may be traded)	Building Entrances and Exits
	Main entries	20 W/linear foot of door width	30 W/linear foot of door width	30 W/linear foot of door width
	Other doors	20 W/linear foot of door width	20 W/linear foot of door width	20 W/linear foot of door width
	Entry canopies	0.25 W/ft²	0.4 W/ft²	0.4 W/ft²
	Sales Canopies
	Freestanding and attached	0.8 W/ft²	0.8 W/ft²	1.0 W/ft²
	Outdoor Sales
	Open areas (including vehicle sales lots)	0.5 W/ft²	0.5 W/ft²	0.5 W/ft²
	Street frontage for vehicle sales lots in addition to open area allowance	10 W/linear foot	10 W/linear foot	10 W/linear foot

Table 12.14-2 Lighting Power Allowances Nontradable Surfaces
		Zone 2	Zone 3	Zone 4
Base Site Allowance (All properties are allowed the base site allowance and may use the base site allowance for either tradable or nontradable surfaces but cannot be combined)		600 W	750 W	1300 W
Nontradable Surfaces (Lighting power density calculations for the following applications can be used only for the specific application and cannot be traded between surfaces or with other exterior lighting. The following allowances are in addition to any allowance otherwise permitted in the “Tradable Surfaces” section of this table)	Building Facades	0.1 W/ft² for each illuminated wall or surface or 2.5 W/linear foot for each illuminated wall or surface length	0.15 W/ft² for each illuminated wall or surface or 3.75 W/linear foot for each illuminated wall or surface length	0.2 W/ft² for each illuminated wall or surface or 3.75 W/linear foot for each illuminated wall or surface length
	Automated teller machines and night depositories	270 W per location plus 90 W per additional ATM per location	270 W per location plus 90 W per additional ATM per location	270 W per location plus 90 W per additional ATM per location
	Entrances and gate-house inspections at guarded facilities	1.25 W/ft² of covered and uncovered area	1.25 W/ft² of covered and uncovered area	1.25 W/ft² of covered and uncovered area
	Loading areas for law enforcement, fire, ambulance and other emergency service vehicles	0.5 W/ft² of covered and uncovered area	0.5 W/ft² of covered and uncovered area	0.5 W/ft² of covered and uncovered area
	Drive-up windows/doors	400 W per drive-through	400 W per drive-through	400 W per drive-through
	Parking near 24-hour retail entrances	800 W per main entry	800 W per main entry	800 W per main entry

G. Exterior Lighting Controls and Curfews. Exterior lighting shall be equipped with automatic controls and, for the specific uses identified below, curfews and automatic lighting reduction controls as consistent with the following:

1. Automatic Control Requirements. All exterior lighting shall have controls that automatically extinguish all exterior lighting during daylight hours using a switching device such as a photoelectric switch, astronomic time switch or a control system such as a programmable lighting controller, building automation system, lighting energy management system or equivalent, per the requirement of WS NREC.

2. Curfew and Automatic Lighting Reduction Requirements. The city of Bothell has established curfew time(s) specific to business and/or use types, for all lighting systems installed after January 22, 2011, whereupon the total outdoor lighting lumens shall be uniformly reduced by a specified amount. Individual light fixtures shall not be extinguished to meet this curfew lighting reduction requirement. The following uses and project types shall have curfews as follows:

a. Office, warehouse, manufacturing, light industrial and similar use exterior parking lots – 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. or 30 minutes before opening. The lighting system must be uniformly reduced to a maximum of 25 percent of normal output during curfew times.

b. Retail and mixed use without residential uses exterior parking lots – two hours after close of business hours. Lighting system must be uniformly reduced to a maximum of 25 percent of normal output during curfew times.

c. Mixed use containing residential uses, exterior parking lots – 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. or 30 minutes before opening. The lighting system must be uniformly reduced to a maximum of 50 percent of normal output during curfew times.

d. Parking structures or garages and other types of covered parking areas – no curfew; provided, that all light fixtures are fully shielded or obscured by building components such that the fixture is not visible from surrounding properties.

(1) Located on lands with detached residential zoning classifications of R 40,000, R 9,600, R 8,400, R 7,200, and R 5,400d – 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless a game is in progress. Games may not start after 8:00 p.m. Spectator, parking lot, and other non-sports field areas may remain fully illuminated for up to two hours after completion of the event.

(2) Located on lands with all other zoning classifications – 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Spectator, parking lot, and other non-sports field areas may remain fully illuminated for up to two hours after completion of the event.

H. Illumination Standards. The city of Bothell requires that all exterior lighting satisfy the illumination level recommendations as established within the latest edition of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Lighting Handbook and associated recommended practice documents.

1. The following exterior lighting requirements are applicable to all proposed development applications and existing developments, except outdoor performance, sport and recreation facilities and playfield lighting, which must comply with subsection H of this section, and individual single-family residential structures, which must comply with subsection J of this section.

(1) A site plan showing the proposed location, mounting height, aiming point, type, and size of all exterior lighting including building mounted, landscape, roadways, and parking lot lighting drawings should include property line or project limit line if part of a larger campus.

(2) Manufacturer fixture specification sheets or cut-sheets for all fixture types. Fixture cut sheets must be labeled with fixture type and all fixture features and accessories must be defined and an image of the fixture included.

(3) A fixture schedule including quantity and type of lamps.

(4) If building elevations are to be illuminated, submit building elevation drawings showing the location and type of all fixtures, the area of the building elevation to be illuminated, the illumination levels, and the aiming point for all light fixtures.

(5) If building mounted fixtures are used, submit building elevations showing the location of each fixture.

(6) All drawings must have fixture type indicators.

(7) The community development director may require submittal of additional information demonstrating the objectives of the lighting design including:

(A) A brief written narrative; and/or

(B) Supplemental drawings.

(1) All fixtures must be similar to those identified as acceptable within Figures 12.14-21, 12.14-22, and 12.14-23;

(2) The maximum mounting pole height of exterior light fixtures shall be consistent with the following schedule:

(A) Within Lighting Zone 2: 15 feet above city-approved finish grade.

(B) Within developments classified as large under subsection (I)(2) of this section located within Lighting Zone 2: 20 feet above city-approved finish grade.

(D) Within developments classified as large under subsection (I)(2) of this section located within Lighting Zone 3: 25 feet above city-approved finish grade.

(E) Within properties which have been assigned a Lighting Zone 4 classification by the community development director per subsection (I)(2)(b) of this section: 25 feet above city-approved finish grade.

(3) All light fixtures within two mounting pole heights of any adjacent property (excluding public rights-of-way) that are not building mounted must be facing in toward the project and have house-side shields consistent with Figure 12.14-25 installed on the side of the fixture nearest the adjacent property. (See Figure 12.14-25).

Figure 12.14-21 Acceptable and unacceptable light fixtures
Acceptable fixtures	Comments	Not acceptable fixtures	Comments
	Example of ceiling mounted fixture		Surface mounted square fixture with exposed lamp and lens
	Lamp concealed in opaque upper portion. Clear flat glass lens		Translucent white lens with decorative metal grill work is not acceptable
	Solid, opaque sides and top. Flat clear glass lens		Vertical lamp with dropped lens is not acceptable
	Flat lens and horizontal top is acceptable		Clear, translucent, white or clear textured with or without an internal refractor is unacceptable
	Clear flat lens. Lamp concealed within opaque portion of fixture at less than 5 degrees above the horizontal		Fixture aimed above the horizontal is not acceptable
	Bollard lamp concealed by opaque louvers aimed in a downward direction		Bollards with translucent lens with decorative grill-work directed horizontally are not acceptable
	Fixture has opaque shields with flat lens		Standard yard or barn light
	Flat lens fixtures with lamp concealed in top opaque portion		Lamp below opaque portion of fixture is not acceptable
	Full cut-off wall pack fixture		Perimeter wall pack with exposed lens or lamp
	Flat glass lens. Lamp completely concealed within opaque fixture		Compact refractor wall pack with exposed lens or lamp

Figure 12.14-22 Acceptable fixtures subject to special requirements
Fixtures acceptable subject to specific requirements	Requirements
	Pole-mounted fixtures limited to 6,600 lumens. Fixture must not have more than two percent of lumens above 90 degrees
	Floodlights aimed above the horizontal to illuminate flags and building elements are acceptable only when the fixture is shielded or aimed such that people on the ground cannot see into the fixture or the lamp from normal viewing angles. See Figure 12.14-26 for information regarding other options for illuminating building elements
	Wall sconces with opaque fronts that are limited to 6,200 lumens. Uplighting is acceptable only when fixture is located beneath building overhangs, cantilevers, or canopies. Arrows indicate direction of light
	Horizontal lamp completely contained inside opaque portion of housing. Lamp limited to 6,200 lumens. Clear or translucent lens acceptable
	Wall mounted fixtures with translucent, white lens up to 12 inches in diameter and limited to 1,250 lumens
	Decorative wall sconce with translucent white lens. If using metal halide lamp, lamp must be concealed in upper or lower opaque portion of fixture. Limited to 3,300 lumens. If using fluorescent lamp, limited to one T8 or T5 standard output lamp mounted vertically within the fixture

Figure 12.14-23 Acceptable fixtures for individual single-family residential
Acceptable fixtures (may be similar)	Requirements
	Clear glass with a maximum of 345 lumens per lamp. Two lamps per fixture maximum
	Translucent lens up to 1,220 lumens per lamp maximum. One lamp per fixture maximum
	Post top with clear glass with maximum lamp lumens of 345 with a three lamp maximum
	Bare bulbs with motion sensor
	Light completely concealed within opaque housing. All light aimed in a downward direction
	Shielded lamps with motion sensors

Figure 12.14-24 Unacceptable fixtures
Unacceptable light fixtures	Comment
	Commonly called a yard or area light, these fixtures are not acceptable under any circumstances
	Bare bulbs with no shielding and no motion sensor
	Flood light fixtures with no shielding and no motion sensors

Figure 12.14-25 Example of house-sided shielding

Figure 12.14-27 Illustration demonstrating shielding requirement for pole-mounted fixtures located within two pole heights of adjacent properties

Figure 12.14-28 Illustration demonstrating when pole-mounted fixtures are located two or more pole heights away from adjacent properties house-side shielding not required

2. The following additional requirements are applicable to development applications for projects that include: buildings covering 10,000 square feet or more of gross floor area; parking lots containing 40 or more parking stalls; and residential developments of 20 or more dwelling units shall comply with subsection (G)(1) of this section except outdoor performance, sport and recreation facilities and playfield lighting, which must comply with subsection H of this section, and individual single-family residential structures, which must comply with subsection J of this section.

(1) All of the submittal items required for general requirements plus provide site lighting calculations showing:

(A) Illumination points at maximum 10 foot intervals for all parking and on-site roadways measured at finish grade;

(B) Pathways, stairs, entrances, under canopies, and other pedestrian areas must be at five-foot maximum intervals. Include any areas intended for human use; and

(C) The grid shall extend to the points surrounding the property line to the point where the light levels fall below 0.2 footcandles. The calculations shall include any existing or proposed ROW lighting that will contribute light onto the property.

(1) Maximum fixture pole height shall be 20 feet above city-approved finish grade, including height of pole base;

(2) Lighting power density shall not exceed the limits established within Table 12.14-1 for the applicable lighting zone;

(3) The community development may allow increases from the established lighting zone to the next highest zone, if any, if safety and security is an issue. This may include instances where:

(A) The parking facility is used during all hours of the day and night; where the police chief has identified special security needs exist;

(B) High vandalism or crime rates have been documented by the Bothell police department; or

(C) The community development director may consider specific site characteristics, level of vehicle and pedestrian conflict, special security needs, and history or likelihood of crimes in making a determination.

J. Lighting of Exterior Performance, Sport and Recreation Facilities and Playfields. The following requirements shall be applied to all illuminated exterior performance, sport and recreation facilities and playfields:

1. Lighting levels for outdoor performance areas, sport and recreation facilities, and playfields shall be Class III and Class IV as determined by the IESNA RP-6 (Recommended Practice for Sports and Recreational Area Lighting). The community development director may allow increases in designed lighting levels for venues hosting higher classes of sports play (collegiate/professional) and/or for stadiums with seating capacities in excess of 2,500 spectators.

2. Where exterior playing fields or other exterior activity areas are to be illuminated, lighting fixtures shall be mounted, aimed and shielded such that light is directed only to the primary playing area and immediate surroundings associated with the playing area, such as spectator seating, concessions, ingress/egress areas, pedestrian aisles, maintenance facilities, and general pedestrian use areas. Direct illumination of adjacent nonplaying and immediate surroundings associated with the playing areas is prohibited.

3. Floodlight shielding shall consist of one of the following:

a. Full cutoff shoebox style floodlights aimed a maximum of five degrees above the horizontal mounting height of the luminaire. (See Figure 12.14-25). This is the only light fixture acceptable for tennis or similar hardcourts.

b. Spun parabolic floodlights with external shielding consisting of a visor attached to the front of the floodlight. The visor shall extend beyond the upper hemisphere of the fixture a minimum of 12 inches and wrap a minimum of 170 degrees around the upper hemisphere of the floodlight. All surfaces of the fixture shall be nonreflecting and the external visor shall have a dull powder coat factory finish.

4. Areas used for ingress/egress, pedestrian aisles, and general pedestrian use not associated with the playing or activity area shall be illuminated with separate lighting fixtures and shall provide an average horizontal illumination level at grade of no more than 1.0 footcandle average.

5. In facilities with a seating capacity of 2,500 or more spectators, circulation areas around the concessions and restroom areas shall be no more than 10.0 footcandles average at three feet above grade, and shall be no more than 5.0 footcandles average at three feet above grade for facilities with a seating capacity of less than 2,500 spectators. The uniformity ratio (average horizontal illumination to minimum illumination) shall not exceed 4:1 within pedestrian aisles and walkways.

6. Light trespass levels shall be a maximum of one and one-half footcandles when measured on either a horizontal surface (three feet above grade) or a vertical surface (five feet above grade) at all residential property lines.

7. Applicants shall submit lighting plans for all outdoor sports courts and playing fields for review and approval. The following plans and information shall be included:

a. Pole locations;

b. Pole heights (poles used for exterior performance, sport and recreation facilities and playfields may exceed the height maximum established within the lighting zone requirements);

c. Pole types;

d. Luminaire quantities;

e. Luminaire types;

f. Luminaire mounting heights;

g. Aiming points;

h. Fieldcourt boundaries; and

i. Site property lines.

j. Computer generated vertical and horizontal illumination grids for the field or court shall be provided with the plans showing:

(1) Horizontal footcandle levels calculated on a 15-foot grid three feet above the playing surface. The horizontal grid shall extend to the points surrounding the lighted field/court to the point where the light levels fall below 0.2 footcandles including lands beyond the subject property when necessary.

(2) Vertical footcandle illumination levels at 15-foot increments, five feet high facing into the field at all property lines.

8. Measurement and Verification. Prior to issuance of occupancy permit, the applicant shall provide the city with confirmation of compliance with regulations. Applicant shall measure lighting along residential property lines at a minimum of 30 feet on center. Documentation shall be submitted in writing and signed by the engineer of record.

Figure 12.14-29 Illustration of spun parabolic floodlight with shields

Figure 12.14-30 Example of full-cut-off shoe box floodlight

Figure 12.14-31 Illustration of five degree maximum tilt

K. Requirements for Single-Family Residential Lighting. Individual single-family residential structures shall be subject to the following requirements:

1. Decorative building mounted lighting (porch lights and sconces) are acceptable with the following limitations:

a. Fixtures with clear glass lenses are limited to up to two 345 lumen lamps (equivalent to 25 watt incandescent).

b. Fixtures with translucent lenses are limited to a total of 1,220 lumens (equivalent to 75 watt incandescent).

c. Fully shielded fixtures (see example in Figure 12.14-21) can be up to 2,700 lumens (equivalent to 150 watt incandescent).

d. Low voltage fixtures up to 50 watts and/or 1,500 lumens.

e. Fixtures shall comply with Figures 12.14-23 and 12.14-24 or be consistent with the above standards.

2. Pole-mounted light fixtures are acceptable with the following limitations:

a. Fixtures’ lumen output shall be consistent with subsection (K)(1) of this section;

b. Fixtures shall be mounted a maximum of 12 feet above finish grade;

c. Fixtures used for hardscape sports courts, such as tennis, basketball, pickleball and other courts shall be consistent with subsection J of this section. (Ord. 2373 § 9, 2022; Ord. 2055 § 2 (Exh. B), 2011).