Light Pollution Awareness Group (Malta) -San Juan Capistrano

(a) Purpose and intent. It is the intent of these provisions to balance the goals of the General Plan to maintain a small village, rural atmosphere, with the need to provide for the safe movement of vehicles and people in all districts. To meet this intent, recommended lighting levels are to be defined at minimum levels to protect the public safety and at the same time enhance the appeal of buildings and landscaping to protect the desired atmosphere of the community.

(b) Commercial industrial and public institutional districts. All properties located within a commercial (CN, CT, CG, CM, FM and CO), industrial (MG and MP), public institutional (IP) districts, special districts including Planned Community (PC), Planned Development (PD), and Precise Plan (SP) Districts shall be subject to the exterior lighting regulations set forth. For the purposes of this section the minimum illuminance standards for pedestrian and parking lot lighting shall also serve as the maximum illuminance levels.

(1) Parking lot lighting. Parking lot lighting is vital for traffic safety; for protection against assault, theft and vandalism; for convenience and comfort to the user. Parking lot lighting design standards of Figures l and 2 have been established to provide for the safe movement of both vehicles and pedestrians; consistent with the recommended standards of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

(A) Activity categories. The following categories are established for the purpose of establishing illuminance levels for parking facilities as shown in Figure l below:

(i) High activity. This category is defined as including the CT and CG Districts located within the Design Overlay District as designated by section 9-3.507 of this title.

(ii) Medium activity. This category is defined as including all areas in the CG, CN, PC, PD, PR and IP Districts and include uses which involve a large number of vehicles including sites for cultural, civic or recreational events).

(iii) Low activity. This category is defined as including all areas in the CM, MP, MG, PR, and IP Districts (except for those specific uses which involve a level of night time activity with a large number of vehicles shall be met the standards for medium activity).

(B) Parking lot lighting design standards. The following lighting design standards shall apply to parking lots.

Open Parking Facilities
	General Parking & Pedestrian Area			Vehicle Use Area (Only)
Level of Activity	Lux (Minimum on Pavement)	Footcandle (Minimum on Pavement) ***	Uniformity Ratio (Average: Minimum)	Lux (Average on Pavement)	Footcandle (Average on Pavement)	Uniformity Ratio (Average: Minimum)
High	10	0.9	4:1	22	2	3:1
Medium	6	0.6	4:1	11	1	3:1
Low *	2	0.2	4:1	5	0.5	3:1
Covered Parking Facilities
		Day		Night
Areas		Lux (Average on Pavement)	Footcandle (Average on Pavement) **	Lux (Average on Pavement)	Footcandle (Average on Pavement)	Uniformity Ratio (Average: Minimum)
General parking and pedestrian areas		54	5	54	5	4:1
Ramps and corners		110	10	54	5	4:1
Entrance areas		540	50	54	5	4:1
Range of Illuminance
			Lux		Footcandles
Stairways ***			100-150-200		10-15-20

       * This is based on the requirement to maintain security at any time in areas where there is a low level of night time activity.
       ** Sum of electric lighting and daylight.
       *** For general parking and pedestrian area, the average measurement on pavement shall not be less than for vehicle use area.

Feature	Standard
(i) Fixture Height.	Pole mounted fixtures shall not exceed fourteen (14') feet in height as measured from finish grade to the bottom of the light fixture. Concrete pedestals shall not exceed twenty four (24") inches and shall be included in the overall height. Building mounted fixtures shall be located below the roof ease and not exceed the height of the pole mounted fixture (14') whichever is lower
(ii) Light Source.	Metal halide, high pressure sodium, and similar sources shall be permitted. Halogen and mercury vapor sources shall be prohibited
(iii) Fixture Type.	Within the D (Design) Overlay district, contemporary styled fixtures shall be prohibited. Light fixtures must comply with the City established list of pre-approved fixture styles. For building mounted fixtures, the Director shall insure that the proposed fixture type will be in scale with the building elevation on which it is to be installed. The Director may refer this latter determination to the Planning Commission
(iv) Spacing of Fixtures.	The distance separating lights shall be determined by the type of light fixture and the requirement to satisfy the intensity provisions of (i) above.
(v) Shielding.	Where light fixtures are adjacent to residential districts or developments, lighting fixtures shall by use of fixture cutoffs and/or use of optically controlled fixtures to control light spillover and glare. Said shielding shall be required so that light measured five (5') feet outside the property boundary shall not exceed 0.1 I Footcandle.

(2) Pedestrian walkway lighting. The following minimum standards have been established by the Illuminating Engineering Society and shall be satisfied to insure the safe movement of pedestrians within a commercial, industrial or public project excluding public facilities where the site is closed during non-daylight hours. In areas where special pedestrian security is desired, the property owner should consider the specific recommendation for such activity areas noted in the following Figure for lighting illuminance:

       * For pedestrian identification at a distance. Values at 1.8 meters (6 feet) about walkway
       Notes: 1. For approximate value in footcandles, multiply by 0.1
                    2. The average-to-minimum uniformity ratio in non-special pedestrian security areas shall not exceed 4:1
                    3. The average-to-minimum uniformity ratio in special pedestrian security areas shall not exceed 5:1

Feature	Standard
(i) Illuminance.	Minimum lighting shall meet the requirements as set forth above. Furthermore said light shall be directed in such a manner that any changes in evaluation of the walkway (i.e. steps or curbs) shall be illuminated such that said features are clearly discernible (without shadow).
(ii) Fixture Type.	Pedestrian walkway lighting fixtures can be a combination of free-standing pole, bollard, in-place step or building mounted fixtures. For building mounted fixturs, the Director shall insure that the proposed fixture type will be in sale with the building elevation on which it si to be installed. The Director may refer this letter determination to the Planning Commission.
(iii) Fixtures Heights.	Light Fixtures shall not exceed the following heigth provisions: (aa) Free-standing pole - Not greater than fourteen (14') feet as measured from finish grade to the bottom of the light fixture. (ab) Building-mounted - Shall be located below the roof eave or fourteen (14') feet whichever is less. (ac) Bollard- Said fixture type shall not exceed a height of fourty-two (42") inches as measured from finish grade to the top ot the fixture.

(3) Architectural and landscape lighting. The use of architectural or landscape lighting to highlight the unique features of a building and/or surrounding landscape treatment may be considered during the development review process. In order to consider whether such lighting should be approved, the following procedures and criteria have been prepared to assist in the consideration of such applications:

(i) Architectural and landscape lighting. The consideration and approval of said type lighting shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director. The Planning Director in considering such architectural and landscape highlighting shall determine whether the lighting satisfies the criteria in subsections (aa) and (ab) and the general guidelines developed by the Illuminating Engineering Society noted in subsections (ac) and (ad).

(aa) The lighting will illuminate an architectural feature or landscape feature that is unique to the particular project due to the use of materials, colors, or design characteristics which are not commonly found within the City; and,

(ab) The architectural lighting proposal will enhance the design of a project and is not solely used as an attraction getting device.

(ac) Location of fixtures. Highlighting fixtures may be located either on the building, on adjacent ground, and on ornamental standards. These fixtures are to be arranged such that they are not generally visible form the public.

(ad) Shielding for glare. Highlighting fixtures should be located and designed in such a manner that the actual lamp and reflector are shielded or louvered so that it is not seen from a normal public viewing area. It is especially important in areas where there is considerable vehicle and pedestrian traffic that direct glare be avoided.

(ii) Exposed string lighting regulations. Exposed string lighting is permitted subject to the following provisions:

(aa) Exposed string lighting shall be defined as low wattage lights with individual bulb receptacle connected by electrical wires that are exposed to the outside surface of a plant or building feature, more specifically said lights shall be defined as a commercially available maximum 2.8 watt system, designed for exterior installation and use. Lights which are blinking or chasing are not permitted.

(ab) Temporary exposed seasonal string lighting shall be permitted without permit during the period between the third Saturday of November and New Year's Day. Said lighting fixtures are to be removed by January 8th of each year.

(ac) Permanently exposed string lights are permitted in the CG (General Commercial), CT (Tourist Commercial), FM (Farm Market), and the CN (Neighborhood Commercial) Districts subject to the approval by the Planning Director provided that all of the following criteria are satisfied:

(1) Exposed permanent string lights shall be exclusively a white light with a clear bulb and are limited to the lighting of living landscape features (trees) if used in combination with other highlighting or pedestrian lighting fixtures within the immediate area.

(2) Exposed string lights shall be limited to designated outside dining or display areas and main pedestrian entry to a project site.

(3) Said lighting fixtures shall require an electrical permit for installation and shall be secured to the landscape feature with bands that will not puncture the skin of the plant.

(4) Applications for such lighting shall be limited to one per project and shall not involve an area greater than five (5) percent of the building square footage of a center/plaza nor more than fifteen (15) percent for a free-standing commercial building not part of a commercial center or plaza.

(5) Approval of applications shall be made by the Planning Director upon satisfactory compliance with the limitations and design parameters above. Said approval shall be conditioned to include compliance with minimum property maintenance standards of Section 9-3.627. Failure to properly maintain the lights shall be subject to removal of said fixtures.

(ad) Applications for exposed string lights that are not consistent with the provisions of subsection (ac) above shall be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission.

(4) Exterior display lighting. Display lighting for use defined and permitted in accordance with Section 9-3.616 shall meet the following standards:

(5) Security lighting. Security lighting shall be provided and shall include all pedestrian lighting, signs (if used as security illumination), a minimum one-third of the parking lot lights (these lights shall be equipped with a photo-cell for dusk to dawn illumination), and required lights over all building entries. Exterior lighting including parking lots shall be reduced in intensity after 10:00 p.m., or one-half hour after close of business, whichever is later.

(c) Outdoor recreational lighting. Outdoor lighting associated with a permitted recreational use, shall be subject to the approval of a conditional use permit by the City. All outdoor recreational lighting shall be designed to comply with the following standards:

Feature	Standard
(I) Illuminance.	The average and/or maximum light illuminance, measured in footcandles, shall not exceed the recommended average or maximum guideline established for the proposed recreational use by the Illuminating Engineering Society. The City may, as part of the conditional use permit process, restrict lighting to a level less than the Illuminating Engineering recommended guideline.
(2) Pole Height.	The maximum height of outdoor lighting for courts (basketball, volley-ball, handball, horseshoe, etc.) shall not exceed twenty-five (25") feet as measured from finished grade. The maximum height of outdoor lighting for athletic fields (baseball, softball, football, soccer, etc.) shall be determined by the Planning Commission during consideration of the Conditional Use Permit.
(3) Lighting Source.	Lighting source shall be limited to metal halide
(4) Shielding.	Lighting shall be directed to areas within the property line to minimize glare in surrounding areas. Spillover and glare shall be minimized by using fixture cutoffs and optically controlled luminaries at the bound aries of lighted areas.

(5) Submission requirements. Application submission requirements shall be the same as those listed under subsection (e)(1), below.

(6) Tennis court light standards. Specific standards regarding tennis courts are found under Section 9-3.607(e)(4) of this chapter.

(d) Residential districts. All properties zoned for residential use shall be subject to the following exterior lighting standards. Standards apply to security lighting and decorative lighting:

Feature	Standard
( 1 ) Illuminance.	The amount of light projected onto any surface shall not exceed five (5) footcandles.
(2) Fixture Height.	Building-mounted lights shall be installed below the eave line and no higher than fourteen (14') feet unless used to illuminate a second story entry eave, balcony, or outside stairway or door where in such case it shall be no higher than eight (8') feet above the floor elevation of the second story. Pole or wall-mounted fixtures shall be limited to eight (8') feet in height above finished grade
(3) Spacing of Fixtures.	The distance separating lights shall be a minimum of thirty-five (35') feet. An exception to this provision is for decorative lights located at the entrance to the main driveway to the residence where said lights are to be located to opposite sides of the edge of the driveway surface and low level pedestrian walkway lights (18") not more than five footcandles in intensity.
(4) Location of Fixtures.	Lighting shall only be installed adjacent to buildings, walkways, driveways, or activity areas (swimming pools, spas, outdoor dining areas, equestrian barns, and other similar uses) and focal landscape areas located in close proximity to the residence or activity area.
(5) Light Source.	The use of high pressure sodium and metal halide are permitted light sources.
(6) Shielding.	Where the light source is visible from outside the property boundaries, such lighting shall not exceed one (1) footcandle as measured at the property line common with an adjacent Private property.

(e) Administrative procedures. The following administrative procedures shall be used in considering applications for exterior lighting permits:

(1) Plan submission requirements. Applications for exterior lighting shall be in a form approved by the Planning Director.

(2) All commercial, industrial, and public institutional districts (subsection (b), above). The following procedures shall be used in considering exterior lighting plan applications:

(A) New development applications. Exterior lighting plans associated with a new development application (Architectural Control Application) shall be submitted at the same time as development plans are processed in accordance with Section 9-2.306 of this title. Said plans shall be reviewed for compliance with the regulations and design standards set forth in this section. If the plan is determined to be in compliance with these design regulations and substantially consistent with the pre-approved list of lighting fixtures, said application may be approved by the Planning Director. Review of architectural and landscape lighting shall be considered consistent with the provisions of subsection (b)(3) of this section.

(B) Modification to existing facilities. Applications to modify an existing lighting plan shall be reviewed for compliance with the regulations set forth in this section. If the plan is determined to be in compliance with these design regulations and in substantially consistent with the pre-approved list for lighting fixtures, said application may be approved by the Planning Director.

(3) Outdoor recreational lighting (subsection (c), above). All such uses are subject to review and approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission. Procedures for consideration of a conditional use permit shall be per Section 9-2.303.

(4) All residential districts (subsection (d), above). All such permit actions are to be reviewed and determined to be in compliance with the applicable provisions of this section. Said permit approval is a ministerial action by the Planning Director.

(5) Exceptions. Exceptions to the above standards shall be considered by the Planning Commission after conducting a duly noticed and advertised public hearing. Exceptions shall only be granted by the Planning Commission if the following findings are determined:

(A) The exception is consistent with the intent and purpose of these standards and it will not adversely impact immediately adjacent properties; and

(B) The exception is necessary to provide minimum lighting levels to provide for the safety of the public.

(f) Definitions. The following terms as used within this section shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Footcandle" shall mean a unit of illuminance on a surface that is everywhere one foot from a uniform point source of light of one candle and equal to one lumen per square foot.

(2) "Lumen" shall mean a unit of luminous flux equal to the light emitted in a unit solid angle by a uniform point source of one candle intensity.

(3) "Lux" shall mean a unit of illumination equal to the direct illumination on a surface that is everywhere one meter from a uniform point source of one candle intensity or equal to one lumen per square meter. (§ 3.6.14, Ord. 293, as amended by § 2 H, Ord. 462, eff. July 15, 1982, § 2, Ord. 560, eff. February 6, 1986, §§ 2 B 1 and 2, Ord. 586, § 1, Ord. 676, § 2, Ord. 754, § 2, Ord. 779, and § 2, Ord. 794)

San Juan Capistrano
General Plan

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