Part V Site Development Standards | 16.506 Lighting And Glare
16.506 LIGHTING AND GLARE 16.506.01 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY The purpose of this Chapter is to control outdoor lighting in order to maintain adequate visibility and safety, conserve energy, and protect against direct glare and excessive lighting. The standards of this Chapter apply to all new development and to exterior alterations and additions to existing development that involve replacement of light fixtures or systems. The total outdoor light output shall not exceed that allowed on the site for individual lighting zoning districts, except as provided in the Section 16.506.02, Exemptions, below. A. Lighting by Zoning Districts. The maximum outdoor light output level for a site shall not exceed the lighting level allowed for the zoning district in which the site is located as follows: 1. Areas of high ambient lighting levels. These areas include the DMX, CC, RC, IL, and IG, and Zoning Districts. 2. Areas of medium ambient lighting levels. These areas include the RMD, RHD, NMX, NC, WC, WMX, O, M, PS Zoning Districts. 3. Areas of low ambient lighting levels. These areas include the RR, RLD, PROS, and RCN Zoning Districts. B. Classes of Lighting. 1. Class 1 Lighting. All outdoor lighting used for, but not limited to, outdoor sales or eating areas, assembly or repair areas, advertising and other signs, recreational facilities and other similar applications where color rendition is important to preserve the effectiveness of the activity. Designation of lighting as Class 1 requires a finding by the Director of the essential nature of color rendition for the application. Recognized Class 1 uses are: outdoor eating and retail food or beverage service areas; outdoor maintenance areas; display lots; assembly areas such as concert or theater amphitheaters. 2. Class 2 Lighting. All outdoor lighting used for, but not limited to, illumination for walkways, roadways, equipment yards, parking lots and outdoor security where general illumination for safety or security of the grounds is the primary concern.
Draft: 01/06/2021
3. Class 3 Lighting. Any outdoor lighting used for decorative effects including, but not limited to, architectural illumination, flag and monument lighting, and illumination of trees, bushes, etc.
16.506.02 EXEMPTIONS A. General Exemptions. The following lighting is exempt from the provisions of this Chapter. 1. Emergency Lighting. Temporary emergency lighting needed by police, fire, and other emergency services. 2. Holiday Lights. Holiday lighting from October 30th to February 1st, provided that no individual lamp exceeds 10 watts and 70 lumens. Flashing holiday lights are prohibited on commercial properties. 3. Nonconformance. All other outdoor light fixtures lawfully installed prior to and operable on the effective date of this Chapter are exempt from all requirements of this Chapter. There shall be no change in use or lamp type, or any replacement (except for same-type and same-output lamp replacement) or structural alteration made, without conforming to all applicable requirements of this Chapter. Further, if the property is abandoned, or if there is a change in use of the property, the provisions of this Chapter will apply when the abandonment ceases or the new use commences. B. Other Exemptions. 1. Swimming Pool and Fountain Lighting. Underwater lighting used for the illumination of swimming pools and fountains is exempt from the lamp type and shielding standards, though it shall conform to all other provisions of the Zoning Code. 2. Solar-powered Lighting. Solar-powered lights of 5 watts or less per fixture used in residential landscaping applications and to illuminate walkways are exempt from applicable lamp type and shielding standards and are excluded from the total lumen calculations for the site. 3. Temporary Exemptions. Any individual may submit a written request to the Director for a temporary exemption from the requirements of this Chapter. If approved, such exemption will be valid for up to 30 days and is renewable at the discretion of the Director. The request for a temporary exemption shall describe: TITLE 16: ZONING CODE | VALLEJO, CA 231
