Coolidge City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 151
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
§ 151.001 PURPOSE.
This chapter is intended to restrict the permitted use of outdoor artificial illuminating devices emitting undesirable rays into the night sky which have a detrimental effect on astronomical observations.
(Prior Code, § 19-1-1)
§ 151.002 CONFORMANCE WITH APPLICABLE CODES.
(A) All outdoor artificial illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of this chapter and any building ordinances which may hereafter be enacted, as applicable.
(B) Where any provisions of any of the state’s statutes, any of the federal laws, or any other law of this code conflicts with the requirements of this chapter of the code, the most restrictive provision shall govern.
(Prior Code, § 19-1-2)
§ 151.003 APPROVED MATERIAL AND METHODS OF INSTALLATION.
(A) The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of installation not specifically prescribed by this chapter, provided any such alternate has been approved.
(B) The Building Inspector may approve any such alternate, provided that he or she finds that the proposed design, material, or methods:
(1) Provides approximate equivalence to those specific requirements of this chapter; or
(2) Is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of the chapter.
(Prior Code, § 19-1-3)
§ 151.004 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
INDIVIDUAL. Any private individual, tenant, lessee, owner, or any commercial entity, including, but not limited to, companies, partnerships, joint ventures, or corporations.
INSTALLED. The initial installation of outdoor light fixtures defined herein, following the effective date of this chapter, but shall not apply to those outdoor light fixtures installed prior to such date.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURES. Outdoor artificial illuminating devices, outdoor fixtures, lamps, and other devices, permanent or portable, used for illumination or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, search, spot, or flood lights for:
(1) Buildings and structures;
(2) Recreational areas;
(3) Parking lot lighting;
(4) Landscape lighting;
(5) Billboards and other signs (advertising or other); and
(6) Street lighting.
(Prior Code, § 19-2)
§ 151.015 SHIELDING.
(A) FULLY SHIELDED shall mean that those fixtures 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 on the fixture where light is emitted.
(B) PARTIALLY SHIELDED shall mean that hose fixtures shall be shielded in such a manner that the bottom edge of the shield is below the plane center line of the light source (lamp), minimizing light above the horizontal.
(Prior Code, § 19-3-1)
§ 151.016 FILTRATION.
(A) Those outdoor light fixtures requiring a filter in § 151.017 shall be equipped with a filter whose transmission is less than 5% total emergent flux at wavelengths less than 3,900 angstroms. Total emergent flux is defined as that between 3,000 and 7,000 angstrom units.
(B) It is recommended that existing mercury vapor fixtures shall be equipped with a filter whose transmission is less that 10% total emergent flux at wavelengths less than 4,400 angstroms. Total emergent flux is defined as that between 3,000 and 7,000 angstrom units, or replaced.
(C) Low pressure sodium lamps are the preferred lamp for minimizing adverse effects on astronomical observations.
(Prior Code, § 19-3-2)
§ 151.017 REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIELDING AND FILTERING.
The requirements for shielding and filtering light emission from outdoor light fixtures shall be as set forth in the following table.
Fixture Lamp Type | Shielded | Filtered |
Fixture Lamp Type | Shielded | Filtered |
Fluorescent | Fully | Yes |
Fossil fuel | None | None |
Glass tubes filled with neon, argon, krypton | None | None |
High pressure sodium | Fully | None |
Incandescent greater than 150W | Fully | None |
Low pressure sodium | Partially | None |
Mercury vapor | Fully (7) | Yes |
Metal halide (6) | Fully | Yes |
Quartz (3) | Fully | None |
Other sources | As approved by the Building Inspector | |
Footnotes: 1. This is the preferred light source to minimize undesirable light into the night sky affecting astronomical observations. 2. Warm white and natural lamps are preferred to minimize detrimental effects. 3. For the purposes of this chapter, quartz lamps shall not be considered an incandescent light source. 4. Most glass, acrylic, or translucent enclosures satisfy these filter requirements. 5. Outdoor advertising signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within do not require shielding. 6. Metal halide display lighting shall not be used for security lighting after 11:00 p.m. (or after closing hours if before 11:00 p.m.) unless fully shielded. Metal halide lamps shall be in enclosed luminaries. 7. Recommended for existing fixtures. The installation of mercury vapor fixtures in prohibited effective 90 days after the date of adoption of this chapter. | ||
(Prior Code, § 19-3-3)
§ 151.030 SEARCHLIGHTS.
The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.
(Prior Code, § 19-4-1) Penalty, see § 151.999
§ 151.031 RECREATIONAL FACILITY.
No outdoor recreational facility, public or private, shall be illuminated by nonconforming means after 11:00 p.m., except to conclude a specific recreational or sporting event or any other activity conducted at a ball park, outdoor amphitheater, arena, or similar facility in progress prior to 11:00 p.m.
(Prior Code, § 19-4-2) Penalty, see § 151.999
§ 151.032 OUTDOOR BUILDING ILLUMINATION.
The unshielded outdoor illumination of any building, landscaping, signing, or other purpose is prohibited except with incandescent fixtures less than 500 watts.
(Prior Code, § 19-4-3) Penalty, see § 151.999
§ 151.033 MERCURY VAPOR.
The installation of mercury vapor fixtures is prohibited effective 90 days after the date of adoption of this chapter by ordinance.
(Prior Code, § 19-4-4)
§ 151.045 NONCONFORMING EXEMPTIONS.
All outdoor light fixtures existing and fully installed prior to the effective date of the adoption of this chapter by ordinance may remain “nonconforming” indefinitely; provided, however, that no change in use, replacement, structural alteration, or restoration after abandonment of outdoor light fixtures shall be made unless it thereafter conforms to the provisions of these regulations.
(Prior Code, § 19-5-1)
§ 151.046 FOSSIL FUEL LIGHT.
Produced directly or indirectly by the combustion of natural gas or other utility-type fossil fuels.
(Prior Code, § 19-5-2)
§ 151.047 FEDERAL AND STATE FACILITIES.
Those facilities and lands owned, operated, or protected by the U.S. Federal Government or the state are exempted by law from all requirements of this chapter. Voluntary compliance with the intent of this chapter at those facilities is encouraged.
(Prior Code, § 19-5-3)
§ 151.048 SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS.
The Building Inspector may grant a special exemption to the requirements of § 151.017 only upon a written finding that there are extreme geographic or geometric conditions warranting the exemption and that there are no conforming fixtures that would suffice.
(Prior Code, § 19-5-4)
§ 151.060 APPLICATIONS.
(A) Any individual applying for a building or use permit intending to install outdoor lighting shall, as a part of said application, submit evidence that the proposed work will comply with this chapter.
(B) All other individuals intending to install outdoor lighting fixtures shall submit an application to the Building Inspector providing evidence that the proposed work will comply with this chapter.
(C) Utility companies entering into a duly approved contract with the City 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.
(Prior Code, § 19-6-1)
§ 151.061 CONTENTS OF APPLICATIONS.
(A) 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 the building codes of the City upon application for the required permit:
(1) Plans indicating the location on the premises, and the type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, other devices, and the like; and
(2) Description of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, and other devices, and the like. This description may include, but is not limited to, manufactures catalog cuts and drawings (including sections where required).
(B) The above required plans and descriptions shall be sufficiently complete to enable the Building Inspector to readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this chapter will be secured. If such plans and descriptions cannot enable this ready 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.
(Prior Code, § 19-6-2)
§ 151.062 ISSUANCE OF PERMIT.
(A) Upon compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the Building Inspector shall issue a permit for installation of the outdoor lighting fixtures, to be installed as in the approved application.
(B) In the event the application is part of the building permit application under the building code regulations, the issuance of the building permit will be made if the applicant is in compliance with this chapter as well as the other requirements for issuance pursuant to the building codes of the City.
(C) Appeal procedures of the building codes shall apply.
(Prior Code, § 19-6-3)
§ 151.063 AMENDMENT TO PERMIT.
Should the applicant desire to substitute outdoor light fixtures or lamps after a permit has been issued, the applicant must submit all changes to the Building Inspector for approval, with adequate information to assure compliance with this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 19-6-4)
§ 151.075 REQUEST.
(A) Any individual, as defined herein, may submit a written request on a form prepared by the City to the Building Inspector for a temporary exemption to the requirements of this chapter, such exemption to be valid for 30 days, renewable at the discretion of the City Manager.
(B) The request for temporary exemption shall contain minimally the following listed information:
(1) Specific exemptions requested;
(2) Type and use of exterior light involved;
(3) Duration of time for requested exemption;
(4) Type of lamp and calculated lumens;
(5) Total wattage of lamp or lamps;
(6) Proposed location of exterior light;
(7) Previous temporary exemptions, if any; and
(8) Physical size of exterior light and type of shielding provided.
(C) In addition to the above data, the Building Inspector may request any additional information which would enable him or her to make a reasonable evaluation of the request for temporary exemption.
(Prior Code, § 19-7-1)
§ 151.076 APPEAL FOR TEMPORARY EXEMPTION.
(A) The Building Inspector, within five days from the date of the properly completed request for temporary exemption, shall approve or reject in writing the request.
(B) If rejected, the individual making the request shall have the right of appeal to the City Manager or the Board of Appeals for review pursuant to the procedures applicable to any other appeal of a decision of the Building Inspector.
(Prior Code, § 19-7-2)
§ 151.999 PENALTY.
It is unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 19-8)