(A)   This chapter shall be known as the CITY OF McCALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING ORDINANCE.

   (B)   The general purpose of this chapter is to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare, the quality of life, and the ability to view the night sky, by establishing regulations and a process for review of exterior lighting. This chapter establishes standards for exterior lighting in order to accomplish the following:

      1.   To provide safe roadways for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians;

      2.   To protect against direct glare and excessive lighting;

      3.   To ensure that sufficient lighting can be provided where needed to promote safety and security;

      4.   To prevent light trespass in all areas of the city and the city area of impact;

      5.   To protect and reclaim the ability to view the night sky;

      6.   To allow for flexibility in the style of lighting fixtures;

      7.   To provide lighting guidelines;

      8.   To provide assistance to property owners and occupants in bringing nonconforming lighting into conformance with this chapter; and

      9.   To work with other jurisdictions within Valley County to meet the purposes of this chapter. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

Outdoor lighting has a significant impact to the safety, security and visual quality of a development and the community. Following are some general guidelines recommended to provide lighting that balances safety and energy conservation with fixtures that complement the development and the surrounding neighborhood.

   (A)   Design outdoor lighting to provide a uniform distribution of light without compromising safety and security.

   (B)   The total cutoff of light should occur within the property lines of the parcel to be developed.

   (C)   Select lighting and posts that are complementary to the general architectural style of the development and surrounding neighborhood.

   (D)   Select light poles that are in scale with proposed or surrounding buildings.

   (E)   Lighting should not conflict with trees within landscaped islands.

   (F)   Accent unique or special features of the site or building with landscape lighting effects.

   (G)   Ensure that all lighting is efficiently directed to the objects or surfaces to be illuminated and not to the surrounding properties or the night sky. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

   (A)   New Lighting: All exterior lighting installed after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the standards established by this chapter.

   (B)   Existing Lighting: All existing exterior lighting installed before the effective date hereof shall be brought into conformance with this chapter, except section 3.14.052 of this chapter, as follows:

      1.   All existing exterior lighting located on a subject property that is part of an application for a conditional use permit, subdivision approval, approval of a PUD, or a building permit is required to be brought into conformance with this chapter before issuance of a certificate of occupancy, final inspection or final plat recordation, when applicable. For other permits, the applicant shall have a maximum of thirty (30) days from date of permit issuance to bring the lighting into conformance.

      2.   All other existing exterior lighting that is not in conformance with this chapter shall, when replaced for any reason, be brought into conformance with this chapter. (Ord. 940, 2-11-2016)

Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meanings they have in common usage and to give this chapter the most reasonable application.

AREA LIGHT: A luminaire equipped with a lamp that produces over one thousand eight hundred (1,800) lumens. Area lights include, but are not limited to, streetlights, parking lot lights and yard lights. (See section 3.14.09, table 1 of this chapter, for light output of various lamps.)

AVERAGE HORIZONTAL FOOT-CANDLE: The average level of luminance for a given situation (with snow cover if that is to be expected in the given situation) measured at ground level with the light meter placed parallel to the ground.

BUILDING OFFICIAL: The city of McCall building inspector.

EIGHTY FIVE DEGREE CUTOFF TYPE OF LUMINAIRES: Luminaires that do not allow light to escape above an eighty five degree (85°) angle measured from a vertical line from the center of the lamp extended to the ground (see section 3.14.09, figure 2 of this chapter).

EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Temporary or permanent lighting that is installed, located or used in such a manner to cause light rays to shine outdoors. Luminaires that are indoors that are intended to light something outside are considered exterior lighting for the purpose of this chapter.

FLOODLIGHT: A lamp that produces up to one thousand eight hundred (1,800) lumens and is designed to flood a well defined area with light. (See section 3.14.09, table 1 of this chapter for light output of various lamps.)

FOOT-CANDLE (fc): The unit used to measure the total amount of light cast on a surface (luminance). One foot-candle is equivalent to the luminance produced by a source of one candle at a distance of one foot (1'). One foot-candle is approximately equal to ten (10) lux, the British unit used to measure luminance.

FULL CUTOFF LUMINAIRES: A luminaire designed and installed where no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the luminaire. (See section 3.14.09, figure 1 of this chapter.)

FULLY SHIELDED: The luminaire incorporates a solid barrier (the shield), which permits no light to escape through the barrier. (See section 3.14.09, figure 4 of this chapter).

GLARE: Stray, unshielded light striking the eye that may result in: a) nuisance or annoyance glare such as light shining into a window; b) discomfort glare such as bright light causing squinting of the eyes; c) disabling glare such as bright light reducing the ability of the eyes to see into shadows; or d) reduction of visual performance.

HOLIDAY LIGHTING: Strings of individual lamps, where the lamps are at least three inches (3") apart and the output per lamp is not greater than fifteen (15) lumens.

IESNA: Illuminating Engineering Society Of North America (IES or IESNA), the professional society of lighting engineers.

IESNA RECOMMENDED PRACTICES: The current publications of the IESNA setting forth luminance levels.

LED: A type of lamp which uses one or more light emitting diodes which can be of any of several colors.

LAMP: The generic term for an artificial light source, to be distinguished from the whole assembly (see definition of Luminaire), or commonly referred to as "bulb".

LIGHT: The form of radiant energy acting on the retina of the eye to make sight possible.

LIGHT POLLUTION: Any adverse effect of manmade light including, but not limited to, discomfort to the eye or diminished vision due to glare, light trespass, uplighting, the uncomfortable distraction to the eye, or any manmade light that diminishes the ability to view the night sky.

LIGHT TRESPASS: Light falling on the property of another or the public right of way when it is not required to do so.

LIGHTING: Any or all parts of a luminaire that function to produce light.

LIGHTING ADMINISTRATOR: A city official designated by the city manager to administer, interpret, and enforce the provisions of this chapter and make recommendations thereunder.

LUMEN: The unit used to quantify the amount of light energy produced by a lamp at the lamp. Lumen output of most lamps is listed on the packaging. For example, a sixty (60) watt incandescent lamp produces nine hundred fifty (950) lumens while a fifty five (55) watt low pressure sodium lamp produces eight thousand (8,000) lumens.

LUMINAIRE: A complete lighting unit, consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power. When used, includes ballasts and photocells. Also commonly referred to as "fixture".

LUMINANCE: The amount of light falling on any point of a surface measured in foot-candles or lux.

MAINTAINED LUMINANCE: The condition that occurs after two hundred (200) hours of lamp use prior to a point where luminaire cleaning is necessary. Measurements are taken at ground level with sensor parallel to the ground for horizontal luminance and measured at five feet (5') above ground with sensor perpendicular to the ground for vertical luminance.

NONESSENTIAL LIGHTING: Lighting that is not necessary for an intended purpose after the purpose has been served. Does not include any lighting used for safety and/or public circulation purposes.

PARTIALLY SHIELDED: The luminaire incorporates a translucent barrier, the "partial shield" around the lamp that allows some light to pass through the barrier while concealing the lamp from the viewer. (See section 3.14.09, figure 3 of this chapter.)

SKY GLOW: The overhead glow from light emitted sideways and upward. Sky glow is caused by the reflection and scattering of light by dust, water vapor and other particles suspended in the atmosphere. Sky glow reduces one's ability to view the night sky.

TEMPORARY LIGHTING: Lighting that is intended to be used for a special event for seven (7) days or less.

UPLIGHTING: Fully shielded lighting that is directed in such a manner as to shine light rays above the horizontal plane. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

   (A)   Exterior Lighting: All exterior lighting shall be designed, located and lamped in order to prevent:

      1.   Overlighting;

      2.   Energy waste;

      3.   Glare;

      4.   Light trespass;

      5.   Sky glow.

   (B)   Nonessential Lighting: All nonessential exterior commercial and residential lighting is encouraged to be turned off after business hours and/or when not in use. Lights on a timer are encouraged. Sensor activated lights are encouraged to replace existing lighting that is desired for security purposes.

   (C)   Canopy Lights: 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.

   (D)   Area Lights: All area lights are encouraged to be eighty five degree (85°) full cutoff type luminaires.

   (E)   Installation After Effective Date: Idaho Power shall not install any luminaires after the effective date hereof that lights the public right of way without first receiving approval for any such application by the lighting administrator. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

All exterior lighting shall use full cutoff luminaires with the light source downcast and fully shielded, with the following exceptions:

   (A)   Luminaires With Maximum Output Of One Thousand Lumens: Luminaires that have a maximum output of one thousand (1,000) lumens per fixture, regardless of number of lamps (equal to one 60-watt incandescent light), the bulb is not visible, and the luminaire has an opaque top or is under an opaque structure. (See section 3.14.09, figure 3 of this chapter.)

   (B)   Floodlights: Floodlights with external shielding shall be angled; provided, that no light is directed above a twenty five degree (25°) angle measured from the vertical line from the center of the light extended to the ground, and only if the luminaire does not cause glare or light to shine on adjacent property or public rights of way (see section 3.14.09, figure 6 of this chapter). Photocells with timers that allow a floodlight to go on at dusk and off by eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. are encouraged.

   (C)   Residential Holiday Lighting: Residential holiday lighting from November 1 to February 1. Flashing holiday lights on residential properties are discouraged. Holiday lights are encouraged to be turned off by eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M.

   (D)   Commercial Holiday Lighting: Commercial holiday lighting from November 1 to March 15. Holiday lights are encouraged to be controlled by timers.

   (E)   Sensor Activated Luminaires: Sensor activated luminaires shall be permitted, provided:

      1.   It is located in such a manner as to prevent glare and lighting onto properties of others or into a public right of way;

      2.   The luminaire is set to only go on when activated and to go off within five (5) minutes after activation has ceased;

      3.   The luminaire shall not be triggered by activity off the property.

      4.   Full cutoff luminaires are used with the light source downcast and fully shielded.

   (F)   Emergency Lighting: Vehicular lights and all temporary emergency lighting needed by the fire and police departments, or other emergency services.

   (G)   Uplighting For Flags: Uplighting for flags, provided the flag is of a government and the maximum lumen output is one thousand three hundred (1,300) lumens. Flags are encouraged to be taken down at sunset to avoid the need for lighting.

   (H)   Lighting Of Communication Towers: Lighting of radio, communication and navigation towers, provided the owner or occupant demonstrates that the federal aviation administration (FAA) regulations can only be met through the use of lighting that does not comply with this chapter.

   (I)   Airport Lighting: Lighting at the McCall Municipal Airport, provided the owner or occupant demonstrates that the federal aviation administration (FAA) regulations can only be met through the use of lighting that does not comply with this chapter.

   (J)   Neon Lights: Neon lights permitted pursuant to chapter 9, "Signs", of this title.

   (K)   Luminaires Used For Playing Fields: Luminaires used for playing fields shall be exempt from the height restriction, provided all other provisions of this chapter are met and the light is used only while the field is in use. (Ord. 940, 2-11-2016)

   (A)   Parking Areas: Parking area luminaires shall be no taller than seventeen feet (17') from the ground to their tallest point. Parking area lights are encouraged to be greater in number, lower in height and lower in light level, as opposed to fewer in number, higher in height and higher in light level.

   (B)   Private Property: Freestanding luminaires on private property in residential zones shall be mounted at a height equal to or less than the sum of H = (D/3)+3, where D is the distance in feet to the nearest property boundary, but shall not be higher than fifteen feet (15') from ground level to the top of the luminaire, whichever is less.

Example:

 

 

   (C)   Arterial Roads: Streetlights used on arterial roads may exceed twenty feet (20') in height, with the recommendation by the city council and only with a finding that exceeding twenty feet (20') is necessary to protect the safety of the residents of McCall.

   (D)   Playing Fields: Luminaires used for playing fields shall be exempt from the height restriction, provided all other provisions of this chapter are met and the light is used only while the field is in use. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

   (A)   Luminance levels for parking lots, sidewalks, and other walkways affected by side mounted building lights, and freestanding sidewalk lights (not streetlights) shall not exceed luminance levels listed in the most current IESNA recommended practices. The city of McCall recognizes that not every such area will require lighting.

   (B)   Parking lot lighting shall not exceed an overall average illumination of one and one-half (1.5) foot-candles.

   (C)   Streetlights shall be high pressure sodium, low pressure sodium or metal halide, unless otherwise determined that another type is more efficient. Streetlights along residential streets shall be limited to a seventy (70) watt high pressure sodium (hps) light with a lumen output of six thousand four hundred (6,400). Streetlights along nonresidential streets or at intersections shall be limited to one hundred (100) watts hps, with a lumen output of nine thousand five hundred (9,500) except that lights at major intersections on state highways shall be limited to two hundred fifty (250) watts hps. If a light type other than high pressure sodium is permitted, then the equivalent output shall be the limit for the other light type (see table 1 in section 3.14.09 of this chapter).

   (D)   All existing and/or new exterior lighting shall not cause light trespass and shall protect adjacent properties from glare and excessive lighting.

   (E)   The LED lighting color on new exterior lighting or for replacement bulbs on existing exterior lighting shall not exceed three-thousand (3,000) Kelvin. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006; amd. Ord. 1009, 10-6-2022)

The figures and information sheets in section 3.14.09 of this chapter shall be incorporated as guidelines for the public and the city for use in enforcing this chapter. The city does not endorse or discriminate against any manufacturer or company that may be shown, portrayed or mentioned by the examples. Additional information may be available at the McCall planning department or a local lighting contractor. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

   (A)   Applications; Lighting Plan Required: All applications for design review, conditional use permits, planned unit developments, subdivision approvals, applicable sign permits, or building permits shall include lighting plans showing location, type, height, lumen output, and luminance levels in order to verify that lighting conforms to the provisions of this chapter. The lighting administrator may waive the requirement for luminance level information only if the lighting administrator finds that the luminance levels conform to this chapter. For all other exterior lights which must conform to the requirements of this chapter, an application shall be made to the lighting administrator, showing location, type, height, lumen output and luminance levels.

   (B)   Review By Lighting Administrator: The lighting administrator shall review any new exterior lighting or any existing exterior lighting on subject property that is part of an application for conditional use permit, planned unit development, subdivision approval, applicable sign permits or building permit, to determine whether the exterior lighting complies with the standards of this chapter.

   (C)   Recommendations Of Administrator: The lighting administrator shall convey in writing a recommendation whether the exterior lighting complies with the standards of this chapter to the building official, the commission, or the McCall city council, as the case may be, before any review or hearing on a building permit, design view, conditional use permit, planned unit development, subdivision application, or applicable sign permit.

   (D)   Issuance Of Decision; Right To Appeal: For all other exterior lighting which must conform to the requirements of this chapter, the lighting administrator shall issue a decision whether the exterior lighting complies with the standards of this chapter. All such decisions may be appealed to the commission within thirty (30) days of the decision. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

If the lighting administrator finds that any provision of this chapter is being violated, notice shall be given by hand delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, of such violation to the owner and/or to the occupant of such premises, demanding that the violation be abated within thirty (30) days of the date of hand delivery or of the date of mailing of the notice. The planning department staff shall be available to assist in working with the violator to correct said violation. If the violation is not abated within the thirty (30) day period, the lighting administrator may institute actions and proceedings, either legal or equitable, to enjoin, restrain or abate any violations of this chapter. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

   (A)   Exemptions Enumerated: The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

      1.   Seasonal displays using multiple low wattage bulbs (about 15 lumens, or less); provided, that they do not constitute a fire hazard, create a nuisance, and are maintained in a safe and attractive condition.

      2.   Vehicular lights and all temporary emergency lighting needed by the police department and the fire protection district, or other emergency services.

      3.   All temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways, utilities, and other public infrastructure.

      4.   All lighting required by state or federal regulatory agencies.

      5.   Licensed watercraft using normal navigation lighting.

      6.   Agriculture uses during normal harvesting or herding activities.

   (B)   Application For Exemption: The lighting administrator may authorize additional property specific exemptions when proposed outdoor lighting does not conflict with the purposes of this chapter. An application for such an exemption must be made in writing and include an outdoor lighting plan pursuant to section 3.14.05 of this chapter. Temporary lighting for special events shall be reviewed in this manner. (Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)

What is a true full cutoff outdoor lighting fixture?

Flat glass lens, eliminates or minimizes direct glare, no upward throw of light. The housings for these fixtures are available in many styles.

Same fixture as above mounted incorrectly - defeating the horizontal mounting design. The fixture now produces direct glare, and can also produce up light at steeper mounting angles.

Known as just "cutoff" center "drop" or "sag" lens with or without exposed bulb, produces direct glare.

(Information from Sylvania #PL-150, General Electric #9200 and Phillips #SG-100 large lamp catalogs)

 

Table 2 lists the maximum lumen levels standards at various heights above ground level. It provides specific examples listing the common types of lighting sources, lumen levels, and permitted mounting heights.

 

(Ord. 821, 2-23-2006, eff. 3-16-2006)