§ 1701. Findings, purpose and intent.

It is in the public interest to provide a quality night time environment. Careless use of outdoor lighting damages the aesthetics of the night time environment. If not regulated, outdoor lighting can decrease security or safety or create hazards through glare, light trespass, and distraction. Inappropriately shielded lights and overlighting can compromise the public's visibility. For instance, service station canopies and convenience store lighting can approach 25 or more footcandles, which is considered to be more than necessary to provide acceptable illumination and avoid liability risks. The naturally dark, star-filled sky is an important part of the natural environment that should not be degraded by improper or inappropriate outdoor lighting. Regulating outdoor lighting brings substantial public benefits. Eliminating glare improves visibility. Elimination of wasted light saves money, energy, and resources.

This division is intended to reduce the problems created by improperly designed and installed outdoor lighting. The regulations of this division are intended to eliminate problems of glare, minimize light trespass with provisions designed to avoid unnecessary direct light from shining onto abutting properties or streets, enhance visibility and safety (especially for the aging eye), protect the natural nighttime sky, conserve energy, and to avoid light encroachment on wildlife habitat.

(Ord. No. 17-003 , § 1, 10-2-2017)