Escondido City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 35
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
§ 33-710 Citation.
This article may be cited as the City of Escondido outdoor lighting ordinance.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.10; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)
§ 33-711 Purpose and intent.
It is the purpose and intent of this article to minimize glare, light trespass, and artificial sky glow for the benefit of the citizens of the city and astronomical research at Palomar Observatory, and to promote lighting design that provides for public safety, utility, and productivity while conserving energy and resources by:
(a)
Using outdoor light fixtures with good optical control to distribute the light in the most effective and efficient manner;
(b)
Using the minimum amount of light to meet the lighting criteria;
(c)
Using shielded outdoor light fixtures;
(d)
Using low-pressure sodium, narrow-spectrum amber light emitting diodes (LEDs,) or other equivalent energy efficient outdoor light fixtures with a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3,000 Kelvin (K) or less;
(e)
Energizing outdoor light fixtures only when necessary, by means of automatic timing devices; and
(f)
Requiring that certain outdoor light fixtures and lamps be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.11; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15; Ord. No. 2021-10, § 6, 10-27-21)
§ 33-712 Definitions.
means a clock device which automatically activates and deactivates outdoor light fixtures or circuits. Photosensitive controls are not considered automatic timing devices for the purposes of this article.
means the color temperature measured in Kelvins (K) that describes the overall color tone of a white light source.
means difficulty seeing in the presence of bright light such as direct or reflected artificial lights.
means the unit of measure of the color temperature of light sources.
means a device that produces light.
means light emitting diode, which is a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light.
means light falling across property boundaries, onto property not containing the originating light source.
means a quantitative unit measuring the actual amount of visible light produced by a lamp.
See "Outdoor light fixture."
means gas-filled tubing which, when subjected to high voltage, becomes luminescent in a color characteristic of the particular gas used, e.g., neon, argon, etc.
See "Luminous tube."
means an artificial lighting assembly (including lamp, housing, reflectors, lenses and shields) which is permanently installed outdoors including, but not limited to, lights for roadways, walkways, parking lots, open canopies, product display areas, landscape and architectural accents, security, recreational facilities, advertising and decorative effects.
means any individual, partnership, venture, corporation or entity, the singular of which becomes plural.
means a combination of techniques or methods of construction, mounting and focusing, which causes all light emitted from an outdoor light fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, to be projected below an imaginary horizontal plane passing through the lowest light-emitting point of the fixture (zero up-light rating).
means visible light in the sky resulting from light that is reflected and/or refracted by water vapor, dust and other gas molecules in the atmosphere.
means the unit of measure of the electrical power consumption of a lamp (not the light output).
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.12; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)
§ 33-713 General requirements.
(a)
Outdoor light fixtures installed after the effective date of this article[1] and thereafter maintained upon private commercial, industrial, multifamily residential (over six dwelling units), or other nonresidential uses (e.g., churches, day care, convalescent use, schools) shall comply with the following:
(1)
Only shielded low-pressure sodium, shielded narrow-spectrum amber LEDs, or other shielded energy efficient outdoor light fixtures with a CCT of 3,000 Kelvin or less shall be utilized except as listed under subsection (b) of this section and section 33-714 of this article;
(2)
All light fixtures within 100 feet of any signalized intersection shall be shielded and/or directed in such a manner so that the lighting from such fixtures does not interfere with established traffic signals.
[1]
Editor's Note—The effective date of the ordinance codified in this article is February 6, 1987.
(b)
Time controls. All outdoor light fixtures that are not low-pressure sodium or narrow-spectrum amber LEDs, or do not have a CCT of 3,000 Kelvin or less, and that are installed and maintained after the effective date of this article upon new private commercial, industrial, multifamily residential (over six dwelling units), or other nonresidential uses (e.g., churches, day care, convalescent use, schools) shall be equipped with automatic timing devices so that such lighting is turned off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise except when used for:
(1)
Industrial and commercial uses where color rendition is required, such as in assembly, repair, and outdoor display areas, where such use continues after 11:00 p.m. but only for so long as such use continues in operation;
(2)
Recreational uses that are in progress at 11:00 p.m. but only for so long as such uses continue;
(3)
Signs and electronic displays and screens of business facilities that are open to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise but only for so long as the facility is open.
(c)
In addition to the provisions of this article, all outdoor light fixtures shall be installed in conformity with all other applicable provisions of the Escondido Municipal Code, the California Building Code, the National Electrical Code, the California Energy Code, and the California Green Building Standards Code.
(d)
Standards for street lighting installed on public rights-of-way and private roads are found in the City of Escondido Engineering Design Standards and Standard Drawings.
(e)
The types, locations, and controlling devices of outdoor light fixtures for multifamily dwellings (six units or less) and single-family homes shall minimize glare, light trespass, and artificial sky glow.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.20; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15; Ord. No. 2021-10, § 6, 10-27-21)
§ 33-714 Exemptions.
(a)
All outdoor light fixtures existing and legally installed prior to the effective date of this article[1] are exempt from the requirements of this article, unless work is proposed in any one year period so as to replace 50% or more of the existing outdoor light fixtures or lamps, or to increase to the extent of 50% or more the number of outdoor light fixtures on the premises. In such a case, both the proposed and the existing outdoor light fixtures shall conform to the provisions of this article and shall be detailed on lighting plans prior to the issuance of applicable building permits.
[1]
Editor's Note—The effective date of the ordinance codified in this article is February 6, 1987.
(b)
All outdoor light fixtures producing light directly by combustion of fossil fuels, such as kerosene lanterns or gas lamps, are exempt from the requirements of this article.
(c)
All outdoor light fixtures on facilities or lands owned, operated, or controlled by the United States Government, the State of California, the County of San Diego, or any other public entity or public agency not subject to ordinances of this city are exempt from the requirements of this article. Voluntary compliance with the intent of this article at those facilities is encouraged.
(d)
Temporary uses and holiday lighting not exceeding 45 consecutive days during any one-year period as determined by the director of community development are exempt from the requirements of this article.
(e)
Any shielded light fixture that produces 4,050 lumens or less is exempt from the requirements of this article. Examples of lamp types of 4,050 lumens and below generally include:
(1)
200 watt standard incandescent and less;
(2)
150 watt tungsten-halogen (quartz) and less;
(3)
75 watt mercury vapor and less;
(4)
50 watt high pressure sodium and less;
(5)
50 watt metal halide and less;
(6)
40 watt fluorescent and less.
Note: Because lumen output determines this exemption instead of wattage, manufacturer's specifications with the lumen information must be included with proposals applicable under this article. |
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.30; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15; Ord. No. 2021-10, § 6, 10-27-21)
§ 33-715 Conflicts.
Where any provision of the statutes, codes or laws of the United States of America or the State of California conflict with any provision of this article, the most restrictive shall apply unless otherwise required by law.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.40; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)
§ 33-716 Violation.
Any person who willfully violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of an infraction punishable under the provisions of section 1-17 of Chapter 1 of the Escondido Municipal Code.
(Zoning Code, Ch. 107, § 1072.50; Ord. No. 2014-20, § 4, 1-7-15)