§ 38. OUTDOOR LIGHT CONTROL.
A.
Purpose. This section is intended to control the use of outdoor artificial illuminating devices emitting rays into the night sky, per A.R.S. 49-1101 et seq. , which have a detrimental effect on astronomical observation. It is the intention of this section to encourage good lighting practices such that lighting systems are designed to respect astronomical observation, while increasing nighttime safety, utility, security and productivity.
B.
Conformance with Applicable Codes.
1.
All outdoor artificial illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provision of this section and any building code in effect at the time of installation.
2.
Where any provision of the Arizona State Statutes, or any Federal law, or any local ordinance conflicts with the requirement of this section, the most restrictive shall govern.
3.
The provisions of this section are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of installation not specifically prescribed herein.
4.
As new lighting technology develops which is useful in reducing light above the horizontal, consideration shall be given to the use of state of the art technology in keeping with the intent of this section.
C.
Definition. For the purpose of this section, specific words are defined as follows:
1.
Outdoor Light Fixtures means outdoor artificial illuminating devices, outdoor fixtures, lamps and other devices, permanent or portable, used for illumination or advertisement. Such devices include, but are not limited to, search, spot or flood lights for:
a.
Building and structures;
b.
Recreational areas;
c.
Parking lot lighting;
d.
Landscape lighting;
e.
Billboards and other signage (advertising or other);
f.
Street lighting;
g.
Outdoor residential lights.
D.
Installed means the initial installation of outdoor light fixtures defined herein following the effective date of this Ordinance, but shall not apply to those outdoor light fixtures installed prior to such date.
E.
General Requirements.
1.
Shielding: All exterior illuminating devices, except those exempt from this section and Section 38.E.3 shall be fully or partially shielded as required in Section 38.E.4.
a.
"Fully Shielded" means that those fixtures so designated shall be shielded in such a manner that light rays emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point of the fixture where light is emitted.
b.
"Partially shielded" means that those fixtures so designated shall conform to the classification of "Cutoff," defined as:
1)
A luminaire light distribution is designated a cutoff when the candle-power per 1,000 lamp lumens does not numerically exceed 25 lumens (two and one-half percent) at an angle of 90 degrees above horizontal, and 100 lumens (ten percent) at a vertical angle of 80 degrees above horizontal. This applies to any lateral angle around the luminaire.
2.
Off-site sign (billboard) external lighting:
a.
Lighting shall be installed such that the sign is illuminated from top down to prevent glare and light trespass.
b.
Light fixtures shall be fully shielded.
c.
Shall consist no more than four (4) individual fixtures (or lamps) per sign face and produces a maximum of 40,000 lumens per fixture.
3.
Filtration: Those outdoor light fixtures requiring a filter in Section 38.E.4 shall have glass, acrylic or translucent enclosures. Quartz glass does not meet this requirement.
4.
Requirements for Shielding and Filtering: The requirements for shielding and filtering light emissions from outdoor light fixtures shall be as set forth in the following table:
Fixture Lamp
Type
Shielded Filtered Low pressure sodium None None High pressure sodium Fully None Metal halide 3 Fully Yes Florescent 5 Fully 4 Yes Quartz 1 Fully Yes Incandescent greater than 150 watts Fully None Incandescent, 150 watts or less None None Mercury vapor 4 Fully 4 Yes 4 Fossil Fuel None None Glass tubes filled with neon, argon and krypton None None LED Fully None Other sources As approved by the
Zoning Inspector
Footnotes:
1. For the purposes of this section, quartz lamps shall not be considered an incandescent light source.
2. Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent material and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding.
3. Metal halide display lighting shall not be used for security lighting after 11:00 pm (or after closing hours if before 11:00 pm unless fully shielded. Metal Halide lamps shall be in enclosed luminaries.
4. For existing fixtures. Installation of Mercury Vapor Fixtures is prohibited.
5. Outdoor advertising signs may use florescent fixtures. These fixtures must e mounted at the top of the sign structure and may be partially shielded, but not filtered.
F.
Prohibition.
1.
Searchlights: The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.
2.
Recreational Facilities: No outdoor recreation facility, public or private, shall be illuminated by non-conforming means after 11:00 pm, except to conclude specific recreation or sporting event or any other activity conducted at a ball park, outdoor amphitheater, arena, or similar facility in progress prior to 11:00 pm.
3.
Outdoor Building and Landscaping Illumination: The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building, landscaping, signing or other purpose is prohibited, except with incandescent fixtures of 150 watts or less, 150 watt or less equivalent for LED or CFL fixtures, or low pressure sodium fixtures.
4.
Light produced on a property shall not affect a neighboring property such that activities conducted on the neighboring property are adversely affected or experience unreasonable interference.
5.
Mercury Vapor: The installation of mercury vapor fixtures is prohibited.
G.
Permanent Exemptions.
1.
Non-Conforming Fixtures: All outdoor lighting fixtures installed prior to July 1, 1987 that are equipped with a permanent automatic shut-off device may remain unchanged, except that the subject light fixtures shall not be operated between the hours of 11:00 pm and sunrise. All outdoor light fixtures installed prior to July 1, 1987 that are not equipped with an automatic shut-off device may remain unchanged. With respect to all outdoor light fixtures installed prior to July 1, 1987, whether with an automatic shut-off device or not, there shall be no change in use, replacement, structural alteration, or restoration after discontinuance of use for a period of 12 consecutive months, unless the fixture thereafter conforms to the provisions of this section.
2.
Fossil Fuel Light: Produced directly or indirectly by the combustion of natural gas or other utility-type fossil fuels.
H.
Other Exemptions From Outdoor Lighting Provisions.
1.
Bottom-Mounted Outdoor Advertising Lighting: Outdoor advertising sign boards which exceed 301 square feet per sign face and are illuminated by an approved bottom-mounted outdoor advertising fixture shall be equipped with an automatic device which shuts off the fixture between midnight and sunrise.
2.
Low Intensity Fixtures: Any outdoor lighting fixture which has a maximum candle power of less than 1,000 candelas is exempt from these provisions, if equipped with an automatic device which shuts off the fixture between the hours of midnight and sunrise.
I.
Procedure for Compliance.
1.
Applications.
a.
Any individual applying for a building permit or use permit and intending to install outdoor lighting fixtures shall, as a part of said application, submit evidence that the proposed work will comply with this section.
b.
Utility companies providing a notarized affidavit in which they agree to comply with the provisions of these regulations shall be exempt from applying for and obtaining a permit for the installation of outdoor light fixtures, including residential security lighting.
2.
Contents of Application or Submission: The submission shall contain, but shall not necessarily be limited to the following, all or part of which may be part of or in addition to the information required elsewhere in this ordinance upon application for the required permit.
a.
Plans indicating the location on the premises, the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports and other devices, etc.
b.
Description of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports and other devices, etc. This description may include, but is not limited to, manufactures' catalog cuts and/or drawings (including sections where required).
c.
The above required plans and descriptions shall be sufficiently complete to enable the Zoning Inspector to readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this section will be secured. If such plans and descriptions cannot enable this determination by reason of the nature or configuration of the devices, fixtures, or lamps proposed, the applicant shall submit evidence of compliance by certified test reports as performed by a recognized testing lab.