This Article is intended to minimize light pollution, reduce glare, promote public safety, and retain the enjoyment of Prescott Valley’s night-time quality, while allowing for necessary commercial services and encouraging quality development in the Town, and particularly in the Town Center.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-010. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002)

   A.   Existing fixtures. All existing outdoor light fixtures installed in conformance with Town Code provisions then in effect are exempt from new requirements of this Article, except that:

      1.   Upon reconstruction or replacement, light fixtures shall be brought into compliance with this Article.

      2.   Mercury vapor fixtures must be removed and replaced with conforming light fixtures.

   B.   Seasonal decorations. Seasonal decorations using typical unshielded low-wattage incandescent lamps shall be permitted in all zoning districts from November 15 through January 15, and shall be extinguished at the earlier of 11:00 p.m. or close of business.

   C.   Frosted lamps. Light fixtures with a frosted lamp emitting not more than 1,000 lumens shall be permitted, subject to the light trespass standards of section 13-12-060.

   D.   Temporary exemptions. Exemptions to the requirements of this Article may be permitted for temporary events such as parades, special civic or public events, special business events, construction, and business grand openings. Upon written application, a temporary exemption:

      1.   Valid for not more than 30 consecutive calendar days shall be permitted by approval of the Zoning Administrator.

      2.   Valid for a period greater than 30 consecutive calendar days, or for an extension beyond the original 30-day period, shall be permitted by approval of the Board of Adjustment.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-020. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002; amended by Ordinance No. 894, 01/13/2022)

For purposes of this Article:

   A.   "Catalog cut" means a technical illustration provided by a manufacturer showing the cross-section of the complete fixture.

   B.   "CCT" means color correlated temperature; that is, the equivalent color of a heated metal object to the accompanying temperature in kelvin scale (K).

   C.   "Floodlight" means a form of lamp typically designated as a floodlight by its manufacturer and designed to direct its output in a specific direction with a reflector formed from the glass envelope of the lamp itself, with a clear or nearly clear glass envelope.

   D.   "Foot-candle" means one lumen per square foot unit of illuminance. It is the luminous flux per unit area in the Imperial system. One foot-candle equals approximately 0.1 lux.

   E.   "Fully shielded" means outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that all of the light rays emitted by the fixture are projected below a horizontal plane passing through the lowest point on the fixture from which light is emitted. Fully shielded shall also conform to cutoff guidelines defined by IES. Drop or sag lens type fixtures shall not be allowed.

   F.    "Horizontal foot-candle" means the illuminance measured by a light meter at the adjacent grade of the fixture or building on which it is attached, unless otherwise specified.

   G.   "IES" means the Illuminating Engineering Society.

   H.    "Illuminance" means the intensity of light in a specified direction measured at a specific point.

   I.   "Lamp" means a source of light.

   J.   "LED" means light emitting diode.

   K.    "Light fixture" means the complete lighting assembly (including the lamp, housing, reflectors, lenses and shields), less the support assembly (pole or mounting bracket). Light fixture shall also mean luminaire as referenced by IES.

   L.    "Lumen" means a unit measurement to define the total output of light for a particular light fixture or lamp, and is specified by the manufacturer.

   M.   " Main Street" means Main Street between Park Place and Lakeshore Drive in Prescott Valley.

   N.    "Town Center" means Township 14 North, Range 1 West, Section 14 and that portion of Section 23 located north of State Route 69.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-030. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002; amended by Ordinance No. 832, 08/10/2017)

   A.   All light fixtures must be designed and installed as fully shielded, unless specifically exempted.

   B.   For purposes of this Article, height shall be measured from the top of a light fixture to the adjacent grade at the base of the light fixture.

   C.   Light fixtures shall be shielded so that the light source and direct glare are not visible from the height of six feet at a residential property line.

   D.   Any light fixture installed on a hillside site more than ten feet higher than and visible from an adjacent roadway or residential zoning district shall be fully shielded and shall include any internal or additional external shielding needed to prevent the lamp and its direct glare from being visible from the adjacent roadway or residential zoning district.

   E.   Light fixture types shall be regulated as follows:

      1.   Mercury vapor fixtures are prohibited.

      2.   Metal halide fixtures shall be allowed for the following applications:

         a.   Approved outdoor merchandise sales display including, but not limited to, automobile sales.

         b.   Building-mounted lighting for accent and entrances installed per paragraph H of this section.

         c.   Gas pump island areas under a canopy.

         d.    Main Street.

      3.   Incandescent, fluorescent, high pressure sodium, low pressure sodium, quartz, and LED fixtures are allowed in all zoning districts, subject to all other provisions of this Article.

      4.   Neon fixtures are allowed for accent lighting and shall be limited to a tube length being not more than the length of the building on which they are mounted or as part of an approved sign, and subject to all other provisions of this Article.

      5.   Incandescent or arc-type searchlights, beacon lights, or similar lighting devices projecting a beam of light into the sky are prohibited except by conditional use permit or for emergency searchlights or beacons operated by government entities.

   F.   Any light fixtures placed in public rights-of-way shall meet the requirements of this Article and of any other adopted Town policy or standard, and shall first be approved by the Public Works Director.

   G.   For purposes of this Article, the following rated lamp wattages shall be accepted for lumen levels unless the Zoning Administrator determines, that the lamp emits a different wattage based on information from the lamp manufacturer:

      1.   . Less than 1,000 lumens:

         a.   60 watt incandescent

         b.   75 watt floodlight

         c.   25 watt fluorescent

      2.   1,000 to 2,000 lumens:

         a.   100 watt incandescent

         b.   120 watt floodlight

      3.   2,000 to 4,000 lumens:

         a.   160 watt floodlight

         b.   50 watt high pressure sodium

         c.   50 watt metal halide

         d.   40 watt fluorescent.

      4.   More than 4,000 lumens

         a.   100 watt metal halide

         b.   110 watt florescent (48-inch tube)

   H.   Building-mounted light fixtures shall be:

      1.   High pressure sodium, metal halide or other allowed source

      2.   Subject to the light trespass standards of section 13-12-060 and the lighting level standards of section 13-12-070

      3.   Installed per the following guidelines:

         a.   No higher than 14 feet with lamps no more than 175 watts within 80 feet of any residential zoning district

         b.   No higher than 25 with lamps no more than 250 watts in all other locations

   I.   Freestanding light fixtures shall be:

      1.   LED, high pressure sodium, or low pressure sodium only (unless specified elsewhere)

      2.   Subject to the light trespass standards of section 13-12-060 and the lighting level standards of Section 13-12-070.

      3.   Installed per the following guidelines:

         a.   No higher than 14 feet with lamps no more than 250 watts within 80 feet of any residential zoning district

         b.   No higher than 35 feet with lamps no more than 400 watts in industrial zoning districts (IG and IH), when the light fixture is not visible from a highway and is located at least 200 feet from a residential use

         c.   No higher than 25 feet with lamps no more than 400 watts in all other locations

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-040. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002; amended by Ordinance No. 832, 08/10/2017)

      1.   Those portions of arterials located in Town Center will utilize light fixture manufactured by Bega (Models 8081, 8082, and 8085), depicted to the right, or an approved equal fixture as approved by the Town Manager, as the Town standard light fixture.

      2.   Pole heights for light fixtures for other arterial streets should have a height of 25 feet or less, and spacing and illumination levels should enhance security and safety and should encourage pedestrian circulation (subject to approval by the Public Works Director).

   B.    Main Street.

      1.   The light fixture depicted to the right (or an approved equal fixture as approved by the Town Manager) shall be used on Main Street.

      2.   The height shall match the light poles and fixtures currently installed on Main Street and the spacing and illumination levels should enhance security and safety and should encourage pedestrian circulation (subject to approval by the Public Works Director).

   C.   Other Town Center streets and on-site lighting. Other decorative-style light fixtures not in compliance with this Article may be utilized in the Town Center where unique pedestrian scale lighting and accent is desired, subject to the following standards:

      1.   Unshielded light fixtures of only 1,000 total lamp lumens or less are allowed.

      2.   Non fully-shielded light fixtures of 4,000 total lamp lumens or less are allowed only:

         a.   Where the lighting is included in an approved preliminary development plan adopted as a condition of rezoning (see section 13-14-060 rezoning procedure), and

         b.   Where not oriented toward any residential use or major roadway.

      3.   All additional lighting shall take the form of higher profile, fully shielded light fixtures, subject to all other provisions of this Article.

   D.   Parking lots and parking structures.

      1.   Parking lots and the upper level of parking structures shall be lit with neutral, non-decorative light fixtures similar to the Gardco Hardtop series, depicted to the right, and poles shall be simple and non-articulated.

      2.   Spacing and illumination levels shall comply with an approved site plan (see subsection 13-12-090 G).

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-050. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002; amended by Ordinance No. 832, 08/10/2017)

   A.   All light fixtures shall be fully shielded and shall be installed so that the light source and direct glare are not visible from adjoining residential uses.

   B.   Light levels shall not exceed one horizontal foot candle at any property line, and the total level of lighting shall not exceed 0.25 foot-candles at the height of six feet at a residential property line.

   C.   Adjustable type wall packs and fixtures shall not be set above a horizontal plane and shall be fully shielded.

   D.   Exemptions:

      1.   Residential light fixtures emitting no more than 2,000 lumens as provided in subsection 13-12-070 E, subject to all other provisions of this Article.

      2.   Incandescent spot lights of no more than 4,000 lumens in a shielded fixture, where they are:

         a.   Used to illuminate a commercial use,

         b.   Used for landscape or building accent,

         c.   Mounted at ground level,

         d.   Directed away from roadways and residential property,

         e.   Directed at not more than a 45-degree angle above horizontal, and

         f.   Spaced at not more than one per 30-feet of building wall face or one per monument sign face.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-060. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002)

   A.    General.

      1.   Light levels set forth in this Section are defined as foot-candle levels of illuminance and may be indicated as either maintained average levels according to IES guidelines or as a maximum value, and may be indicated as either horizontal or vertical foot-candles.

      2.   Unless otherwise specified, maximum illuminance levels shall conform to the lowest levels recommended by IES.

      3.   For uses not specified in this Section, the Zoning Administrator may approve levels of illuminance based on minimum guidelines established by IES.

   B.   Building-mounted light fixtures.

      1.   Exterior building-mounted light fixtures shall be 25,000 lumens or less and shall not exceed 20 horizontal foot candles of illuminance.

      2.   Building entrances, loading areas, drive-through and ATM locations, and fixtures otherwise fully recessed and mounted under a canopy or other solid overhang of a building or structure shall not exceed 20 horizontal foot candles of illuminance.

   C.   Parking lot and freestanding light fixtures.

      1.   Only LED, high pressure sodium, or low pressure sodium light fixtures shall be used for parking lots and freestanding light fixtures.

      2.   The lighting systems for parking lots shall be designed to produce:

         a.   An average maintained light level on the horizontal pavement surface that does not exceed an average of two and one-half foot-candles, and

         b.    A maximum-to-minimum uniformity ratio of not more than 20 to one, and

         c.   A maximum level of ten foot-candles.

      3.   A CCT of 3500K or less shall be maintained for all LED lighting.

   D.   Outdoor sale displays and canopies may be illuminated with metal halide light fixtures at the following lighting levels:

      1.   Illumination under pump island canopies shall not exceed an average illuminance of ten horizontal foot candles or a maximum of 20 horizontal foot candles.

      2.   Automobile sales lighting shall be installed according to the standards in one of the two following subparagraphs, and the total site lighting shall be reduced to no more than 25% after the later of 11:00 p.m. or a half hour after the close of business.

         a.   Light levels shall meet the requirements in the following table:

 

 

            (1)   The table’s superscript letters correspond to the following subparagraphs:

               (a)   This is the recommended minimum level, but is not required.

               (b)   This is the recommended maximum ratio, but in any event the maximum ratio shall not exceed 10:1

               (c)   This requirement applies to the row of merchandise adjacent to the street.

            (2)   All numbers in the table are measured in horizontal foot candles.

            (3)   The “Maximum Average” column is the maintained average level.

            (4)   Fixtures fully recessed and mounted under a canopy or other solid overhang of a building or structure shall not exceed 30 horizontal foot candles

         b.   Light levels for the overall site shall not exceed:

            (1)   A maintained average of 12 horizontal foot candles, and

            (2)   A maximum of 20 horizontal foot candles, but

            (3)   Not counting fixtures fully recessed and mounted under a canopy or other solid overhang of a building or structure, which shall not exceed 30 horizontal foot candles.

      3.   Other seasonal retail outdoor lighting areas shall not exceed ten foot-candles.

   E.   Residential fixtures.

      1.   The following light fixtures up to 2,000 lumens are allowed in residential zoning districts and are exempt from the full shielding requirements of subsection 13-12-040 A:

         a.   Lighting fixtures emitting not more than 1,000 lumens and consisting of a frosted lamp.

         b.   Floodlights or shielded spot light fixtures emitting not more than 2,000 total lumens and directed downward at an angle of at least 45 degrees (including those on a motion sensor).

      2.   The following light fixtures are allowed in residential zoning districts and are exempt from the 30-foot average spacing requirement:

         a.   Low-voltage systems installed at ground level.

         b.   Fixtures up to 2,000 lumens that are fully recessed under a solid overhang of the structure or that are otherwise fully shielded so that the lamp is not visible from an adjoining residential property.

      3.   Light fixtures shall be installed no higher than 12 feet above the adjacent grade.

      4.   The total level of lighting at an adjoining residential property line shall not exceed 0.25 foot-candles at a height of six feet, except that light fixtures emitting less than 1,000 lumens and consisting a of a frosted lamp are exempt when installed a minimum of 30 feet apart on a permitted residence or accessory structure.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-070. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002; amended by Ordinance No. 832, 08/10/2017; amended by Ordinance No. 894, 01/13/2022)

All outdoor electrically powered illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of this Article, Prescott Valley Town Code Chapter 7 (Building), and all other applicable Town zoning and nuisance regulations.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-080. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002; amended by Ordinance No. 590, 03/25/2004)

   A.   Any person intending to install or replace an outdoor light fixture shall submit to the Building Official a permit application providing evidence that the proposed work will comply with this Article.

   B.   Any person intending to change any outdoor light fixture or type of light source after the original installation shall submit to the Building Official a change request and information adequate to assure compliance with this Article.

   C.   Permit applications shall include manufacturer’s catalog cuts and drawings (including sections where required) and specifications identifying lamp types and lumen outputs.

   D.   An entity engaged in the business of providing public utilities required by a contract with the Town to comply with the provisions of this Article shall be exempt from obtaining a permit for the installation of individual outdoor light fixtures.

   E.   Permits for installation of outdoor light fixtures shall be issued as either a separate lighting permit or as part of a building permit, upon compliance with the requirements of this Article.

   F.   All appeal procedures generally applicable to the issuance of building permits shall apply to permits for installation of outdoor lighting fixtures under this Article.

   G.   Lighting plans. Approval of one or more outdoor light fixtures expected to utilize 100,000 lumens or more in the aggregate shall require a lighting plan which includes the following:

      1.   A site plan identifying the proposed location of each lighting fixture.

      2.   A description of each illuminating device, fixture, lamp, support, and shield, including but not necessarily limited to manufacturer’s catalog cuts and drawings (including sections where required) and specifications identifying lamp types and lumen outputs.

      3.   Point-to-point photometric calculations (in foot candles) at intervals of not more than ten feet at ground level, and at five feet above ground where required by the Building Official.

   H.   The final plat of any subdivision with proposed street or other common or public area outdoor lighting shall include a statement certifying compliance with the applicable provisions of this Article.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-090. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002)

   A.   Any person violating any provision of this Article shall be deemed guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

   B.   Each day or portion of a day during which a violation continues is a separate offense.

   C.   A person convicted of any violation of this Article may be punished as set forth in A.R.S. §§ 13-707, 13-802 and 13-803.

(Rewritten and re-codified by Ordinance No 2024-947, 12/11/2024. Previously codified at section 13-26a-100. Prior history: Enacted by Ordinance No. 521, 05/09/2002)