Grand Junction City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 21
11 Outdoor Lighting
§ 21.11.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this section is to:
(a)
Minimize light pollution, light trespass, and glare;
(b)
Conserve energy and resources;
(c)
Provide safe roadways for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
(d)
Promote wildlife habitation and migration by minimizing light pollution into and adjacent to habitat areas;
(e)
Ensure sufficient lighting can be provided where needed to promote safety and security; and
(f)
Protect and reclaim the ability to view the night sky.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.11.020 Applicability.
(a)
Applicability.
This section shall apply to all lighting installed on new development, development that increases the gross floor area of the development by more than 10% and use changes that require an increase in parking as well as all replacement lighting.
(b)
Exemptions.
The following are exempt from this section:
(1)
Luminaires with lamps of 100 watts or less on residential structures in Residential zone districts existing prior to April 5, 2010;
(2)
Emergency lighting used by police, fire fighting, or medical personnel, or at their direction;
(3)
Traffic control devices and luminaires on these devices installed by the City or other governmental entity;
(4)
Navigational lighting systems at airports and other lighting necessary for aircraft safety;
(5)
Holiday lighting and seasonal decorations using typical unshielded low-intensity incandescent lamps; and
(6)
Lighting for temporary festivals, carnivals, or other special events lasting less than 14 consecutive days, provided the lighting turned off within 30 minutes after the last event of each day.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.11.030 Prohibited lighting.
The following types of outdoor lighting are prohibited:
(a)
Any lighting that could interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians on public or private streets;
(b)
Searchlights and rotating beacons;
(c)
Laser, strobe, and or flashing light sources or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment;
(d)
Mercury vapor and low-pressure sodium lighting;
(e)
Upward-directed lighting that allows spillage into the sky; and
(f)
Tower lighting, unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.11.040 Lighting plan required.
A lighting plan shall be submitted for all uses that require the submittal of a Major or Minor Site Plan review as set forth in GJMC § 21.02.040(j).
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.11.050 General standards.
(a)
Lighting Types and Efficiency.
(1)
LED or other high efficiency light fixtures shall be used to the maximum extent practicable.
(2)
All light fixtures shall generate at least 80 lumens per watt of energy consumed, as shown on the manufacturers' specifications for the fixture.
(3)
All exterior lighting shall have a correlated color temperature (CCT) below 3,001 Kelvin degrees. The CCT of lighting may exceed 3,000 Kelvin if the Director determines that accurate color rendition is crucial to public safety, which shall be reasonably given. In no case shall the CCT of such lighting exceed 5,000 Kelvin.
(b)
Lighting Height.
No light fixtures shall be mounted more than 35 feet above the ground unless as a part of an approved outdoor recreational facility or outdoor amphitheater.
(c)
Shielding and Light Trespass.
(1)
All light fixtures shall be aimed and shielded so that the direct illumination shall be confined to the property boundaries of the light source. Lighting shall not be aimed onto adjacent properties, except in cases of shared parking, shared pedestrian pathways, or for coordinated development sites spanning multiple parcels.
(2)
Lighting fixtures shall not be directly visible from adjacent roadways or residential uses and shall not interfere with the safe operation of vehicles moving on or near the site.
(3)
Light sources shall be concealed or shielded with luminaires with cut-offs with an angle not exceeding 90° to minimize the potential for glare and unnecessary diffusion on adjacent properties.
Figure 11.05-1 Light Shielding  |
(4)
Light levels measured at the property line of the development site shall not exceed 0.2 footcandles adjacent to a property zoned for single-unit detached dwelling or duplex dwelling, or.0.6 footcandles adjacent to all other properties, as a direct result of the on-site lighting. Light levels at the property line abutting the public right-of-way shall be the minimum necessary to meet the standards provided at § 21.11.050(d).
(d)
Lighting Output Levels.
All lighting used to illuminate buildings, parking lots, walkways, or other site features, with the exception of lighting for public streets, shall comply with the following minimum and maximum outputs.
Table 21.11-1: Lighting Level Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
Area | Minimum (footcandles) | Maximum (footcandles) |
Building Entries (Nonresidential) | 1.0 | 10.0 |
Bicycle Paths and Pedestrian Walkways | 0.6 | 10.0 |
Loading and Unloading Platforms | 5.0 | 20.0 |
Parking Areas | 0.6 | 10.0 |
Playgrounds | 5.0 | 10.0 |
Under-Canopy Areas | 5.0 | 20.0 |
(e)
Lighting Controls.
(1)
Floodlights shall not be used to light all or any portion of any building facade between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(2)
All exterior lighting not necessary for security purposes shall be reduced, activated by motion sensor devices, or turned off during non-operating hours. Any illumination between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise shall use full cutoff light fixtures and be reduced to levels sufficient for security purposes only.
Figure 11.05-2 Full Cutoff Light Fixtures  |
(Ord. 5319, 5/20/2026; Ord. 5263, 6/18/2025; Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.11.060 Standards for specific lighting types.
(a)
Parking Areas.
(1)
The maximum height of required lighting is 35 feet, measured from the parking surface to the top of the lighting fixture. Lighting located near buildings and adjacent to sidewalks shall not exceed 12 feet in height.
Figure 11.06-1 Parking Lot Lighting Height  |
(2)
The total lighting output in parking areas shall meet the requirements set forth in Table 21.11-1 above.
(b)
Canopy Lighting.
(1)
Canopy lights, such as service station lighting, shall be fully recessed or fully shielded so as to ensure that no light source is visible from or causes glare on public rights-of-way or adjacent properties.
Figure 11.06-2 Canopy Lighting  |
(2)
The total lighting output of canopies shall meet the requirements set forth in Table 21.11-1 above.
(c)
Pedestrian-Scale Lighting.
Low-level pedestrian lighting may be used along walkways pursuant to the following:
(1)
The lighting fixture shall direct light downward;
(2)
The lighting fixture shall use shatterproof lamp coverings;
(3)
The lighting fixture shall not be located to present hazards for pedestrians or vehicles; and
(4)
Post or bollard-type lights shall be mounted no higher than four feet above grade.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
