Flagstaff Lighting Code -- Division 10-08-002 of the Land Development Code (LDC)

First Flagstaff outdoor lighting restrictions: 1958
First Flagstaff comprehensive outdoor lighting code: 1973
Major revision and update (LPS; lumens/acre): November 1989
Land Development Code revision: April 1991
Updated (Canopy caps): June 1999

DIVISION 10-08-002. DEVELOPMENT LIGHTING REGULATIONS

10-08-002-0001. INTENT AND PURPOSE

It is the intent of this Division to encourage lighting practices and systems which will: minimize light pollution, glare, light trespass; conserve energy and resources while maintaining night-time safety, utility, security and productivity; and curtail the degradation of the night time visual environment. It is recognized that since topographic and atmospheric conditions surrounding the City of Flagstaff are uniquely suited for astronomical observation and since observatories have been established in the City's vicinity, the City of Flagstaff, through the provisions herein contained, promotes the reduction of light pollution which interferes with the successful operation of such observatories. The effects of outdoor lighting on the light pollution over the observatories is strongly dependent on the distance of those lights from the observatories; therefore, three Astronomical Zones are hereby established, allowing increased flexibility in the uses of outdoor lighting farther from the observatories.

10-08-002-0002. APPLICABILITY

A.
NEW USES, BUILDINGS AND ADDITIONS: All proposed new land uses, developments, buildings, structures, or building additions of twenty-five (25) percent or more in terms of additional dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity, or other units of measurement specified herein, either with a single addition or cumulative additions subsequent to the effective date of this provision, August 5, 1999, shall meet the requirements of this Division for the entire property. This includes additions which increase the total number of required parking spaces by twenty-five (25) percent or more. For all building additions of less than twenty-five (25) percent cumulative, the applicant shall only have to meet the requirements of this Division for any new outdoor lighting provided.
B.
CHANGE OF USE/INTENSITY: Except as provided in subsection C below, whenever the use of any existing building, structure, or premises is changed to a new use, or the intensity of use is increased through the incorporation of additional dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity, or other units of measurement specified herein, and which change of use or intensification of use creates a need for an increase in the total number of parking spaces of twenty-five (25) percent or more, either with a single change or cumulative changes subsequent to the effective date of this provision, August 5, 1999, then all outdoor lighting facilities shall meet the requirements of this Division for the entire property, to the maximum extent possible as determined by the Planning Director. For changes of use or intensity which require an increase in parking of less than twenty-five (25) percent cumulative, the applicant shall only have to meet the requirements of this Division for any new outdoor lighting provided.
C.
NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES OR LOTS: Whenever a nonconforming use, structure or lot is abandoned for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days and then changed to a new use according to the requirements of Sections 10-10-005-0003 and 0004 of this Code, then any existing outdoor lighting shall be reviewed and brought into compliance as necessary for the entire building, structure or premises, to the maximum extent possible as determined by the Planning Director.

10-08-002-0003. APPROVED MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION OR INSTALLATION / OPERATION:

A.
Preferred Source - Low-pressure Sodium (LPS) lamps are the preferred illumination source throughout the city; their use is to be encouraged, when not required, for outdoor illumination whenever its use would not be detrimental to the use of the property.
B.
Uses that can turn off their outdoor lighting during night hours are to be encouraged in Astronomical Zone I (Section 10-08-002-0004); those which require all night illumination are to be discouraged.
C.
The provisions of this Division are not intended to prevent the use of any design, material or method of installation or operation not specifically prescribed herein, provided any such alternate has been approved by the Planning Director. The Planning Director may approve any such proposed alternate provided he/she finds that it:

10-08-02-0004. ESTABLISHMENT OF ASTRONOMICAL ZONES:

Illustration 10-08-002-0004 showing the established astronomical zones. Click for a larger view.

A.
Three Astronomical Zones are hereby established: Zone I is in two parts centered at the observatories located on Anderson Mesa (Lowell Observatory) and west of Flagstaff (Naval Observatory); the outer boundary of Zone I is set at approximately two and one-half (2.5) miles from these observatories. Zone II extends from the outer boundary of Zone I to approximately seven miles from the observatories. Zone III is all remaining property within the City limits. These Zones are shown in Illustration 10-08-002-0004, the Astronomical Zone Map, and by this reference made a part hereof.
B.
A parcel located in more than one of the described Zones shall be considered to be only in the more restrictive Zone.

10-08-002-0005. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, ALL ZONES:

A.
Outdoor floodlighting by flood light projection above the horizontal plane is prohibited.
B.
All light fixtures that are required to be shielded shall be installed in such a manner that the shielding is effective as described in Chapter 10-14, Definitions, for fully or partially shielded fixtures.
C.
All light fixtures, except street lights, shall be located, aimed or shielded so as to minimize stray light trespassing across property boundaries.
D.
The installation, sale, offering for sale, lease or purchase of any mercury vapor light fixture or lamp for use as outdoor lighting is prohibited, except that until 1 January 1996, the provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any replacement bulb.
E.
Search lights, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity light shall not be permitted, except in emergencies by police and fire personnel or at their direction; or for meteorological data gathering purposes.
F.
Class 1 lighting may continue only until 9:00 pm or for as long as the area is in active use. See Table 10-08-002-0005 and Chapter 10-14, DEFINITIONS, for an explanation and use of the different classes of lighting.
G.
Any lamp type that has been determined to emit substantial non-visible radiation, as determined from manufacturer's specifications or photometric test, requires a filter that blocks this non-visible radiation. Examples of such lamps include, but are not limited to, Quartz-Halogen and fluorescent. For infrared security lighting, see Section 10-08-002-0010.
H.
Illumination for outdoor recreation facilities must conform to the shielding requirements of Table 10-08-002-0005 below, except when such shielding would interfere with the intended activity. For such facilities, partially-shielded luminaires are permitted. Examples of activities where partially-shielded luminaires are permitted include, but are not limited to, baseball, softball, and football. Specifically, tennis, volleyball, raquetball and handball courts and swimming pools must utilize fully-shielded luminaires. Where fully-shielded luminaires are required, the light fixtures must also conform to the requirements of Subsection C above regarding light trespass.
I.
Multi-class lighting must either conform to the lamp-type and shielding requirements of the most strict class, as shown in Table 10-08-002-0005, or conform to the time limitations of the least strict class.
J.
External illumination for signs shall conform to the provisions of this Division.
K.
On projects where an engineer or architect is required, the developer shall verify in writing to the City that all outdoor lighting was installed in accordance with the approved plans.
L.
Outdoor Light Output, Total. The maximum total amount of light, measured in lumens, from all outdoor light fixtures. For lamp types that vary in their output as they age (such as high pressure sodium), the initial output, as defined by the manufacturer, is the value to be considered. For determining compliance with sections 10-08-002-0006A, -0007A and -0008A of this Division, the light emitted from outdoor light fixtures is to be included in the total output as follows:
M.
Service Station Canopy Lighting. In addition to the calculations for paragraph L.2 and 3 above, the following requirements apply to service station canopies:
N.
Neon lighting is permitted, so long as lumen calculations from such lighting are included in the total lumen calculations for the site, required by this section. Lumens are calculated on a per foot basis, rather than per "fixture." Such lighting shall also be subject to the shielding requirements of this section, unless exempted by Table 10-08-002-0005.

Table 10-08-002-0005
TABLE OF LAMP SOURCE AND SHIELDING STANDARDS

LAMP TYPE                                  ZONE I ZONE II ZONE III
------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 1 lighting (Color Rendition):
----------------------------------------
  Low-pressure Sodium above 4,050 lumens     F      F       F
  Others above 4,050 lumens                  X      F       F
  All types below 4,050 lumens               F*     F       P
------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 2 lighting (General Illumination):
----------------------------------------
  Low-pressure Sodium above 4,050 lumens     F      F       F
  Others above 4,050 lumens                  X      X***    X***
  All types below 4,050 lumens               F*/**  F**     F**
------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 3 Lighting (Decorative):
----------------------------------------
  Low-pressure Sodium above 4,050 lumens     F      F       F
  Others above 4,050 lumens                  X      F       F
  All types below 4,050 lumens               F*     A       A
------------------------------------------------------------------

Use Code:

 A  =  Unshielded lights allowed; shielding not required but highly
       recommended. (Unshielded and/or partially shielded lights
       limited to a maximum of 5,500 lumens per net acre).
 F  =  Allowed, fully shielded
 P  =  Partially shielded lights allowed. (Partially and/or
       unshielded lights limited to a maximum of 5,500 lumens per
       net acre).
 X  =  Prohibited, except as noted.

*    Non-LPS lights in Zone I are limited to a maximum of 5,500
     lumens per net acre.

**   Exception: lamps emitting no more than 4,720 lumens used for
     each single-family dwelling or duplex dwelling unit for
     residential outdoor lighting purposes are exempt from the
     shielding requirement.  This is equivalen to four (4) 75-watt
     incandescent bulbs.  Single-Family attached units (e.g.
     townhouses), and multi-family residential units are limited
     to 50% of this amount, or 2360 lumens of unshielded lights
     per unit.

***  Non-LPS lights are permitted if outdoor light fixtures are fully
     shielded and located under and five (5) or more feet from the
     nearest edge of a canopy, building overhang, or eave.

     Examples of lamp types of 4050 lumens and below are (the
     acceptability of a particular light is decided by its lumen
     output, not wattage; check manufacturer's specifications):

     1. 200 Watt Standard Incandescent
     2. 150 Watt Tungsten-Halogen (quartz)
     3.  50 Watt High Pressure Sodium
     4.  50 Watt Cool White Fluorescent
     5.  30 Watt Low Pressure Sodium

10-08-002-0006. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, ZONE I:

A.
Total outdoor light output (excluding streetlights used for illumination of public rights-of-way) of any development project in Zone I shall not exceed 25,000 lumens per net acre, averaged over the entire project. Non-LPS lighting permitted in Table 10-08-002-0005 is limited to a total of 5,500 lumens per net acre, except that lamp(s) emitting no more than 4,720 lumens per single family dwelling unit or duplex dwelling unit for residential outdoor lighting purposes are exempt from the shielding requirements of Table 10-08-002-0005, though they must conform to all other applicable restrictions. Single-Family attached units (e.g. townhouses), and multi-family residential units are limited to 2360 lumens of unshielded lights per unit.
B.
Outdoor recreational facilities are not subject to the lumens per net acre limit set in this Subsection. However, no such facility in Zone I shall be illuminated after 9:00 pm, except to conclude a scheduled recreational or sporting event in progress prior to 9:00 pm.
C.
Outdoor internally illuminated advertising signs shall be constructed with an opaque background and translucent letters and symbols. (Opaque means that the material must not transmit light from an internal illumination source.) Lamps used for internal illumination of such signs shall not be included in the lumens per net acre limit set in this Section. Such signs shall be turned off at 9:00 pm or when the business closes, whichever is later.
D.
Class 3 lighting must be extinguished at 9:00 pm or when the business closes, whichever is later, except that low-wattage holiday decorations may remain on all night from November 15 through January 15.

10-08-002-0007. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, ZONE II:

A.
Total outdoor light output (excluding streetlights used for illumination of public rights-of-way) of any development project in Zone II shall not exceed 50,000 lumens per net acre, averaged over the entire project. Furthermore, no more than 5,500 lumens per net acre may be accounted for by lamps in unshielded or partially-shielded fixtures permitted in Table 10-08-002-0005, except that lamp(s) emitting no more than 4,720 lumens per single family dwelling unit or duplex dwelling unit for residential outdoor lighting purposes are exempt from the shielding requirements of Table 10-08-002-0005, though they must conform to all other applicable restrictions. Single-Family attached units (e.g. townhouses), and multi-family residential units are limited to 2360 lumens of unshielded lights per unit.
B.
Outdoor recreational facilities are not subject to the lumens per net acre limit set in Subsection 10-08-002-0007.A. However, no such facility in Zone II shall be illuminated after 11:00 pm, except to conclude a scheduled recreational or sporting event in progress prior to 11:00 pm.
C.
Outdoor internally illuminated advertising signs shall be constructed with an opaque background and translucent letters and symbols, or with a colored (not white, cream, off-white, or yellow) background and lighter letters and symbols. Lamps used for internal illumination of such signs shall not be included in the lumens per net acre limit set in this Section. Such signs shall be turned off at 11:00 pm or when the business closes, whichever is later.
D.
Class 3 lighting must be extinguished at 11:00 pm or when the business closes, whichever is later, except that low-wattage holiday decorations may remain on all night from November 15 to January 15.

10-08-002-0008. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, ZONE III:

A.
Total outdoor light output (excluding streetlights used for illumination of public rights-of-way) of any development project in Zone III shall not exceed 100,000 lumens per net acre, averaged over the entire project. Furthermore, no more than 5,500 lumens per net acre may be accounted for by lamps in unshielded or partially-shielded fixtures permitted in Table 10-08-002-0005, except that lamp(s) emitting no more than 4,720 lumens per single family dwelling unit or duplex dwelling unit for residential outdoor lighting purposes are exempt from the shielding requirements of Table 10-08-002-0005, though they must conform to all other applicable restrictions. Single-Family attached units (e.g. townhouses), and multi-family residential units are limited to 2360 lumens of unshielded lights per unit.
B.
Outdoor recreational facilities are not subject to the lumens per net acre limit set in Subsection 10-08-002-0008.A. However, no such facility in Zone III shall be illuminated after 11:00 pm except to conclude a scheduled recreational or sporting event in progress prior to 11:00 pm.
C.
Outdoor internally illuminated advertising signs shall either be constructed with an opaque background and translucent letters and symbols or with a colored (not white, cream, off-white or yellow) background and lighter letters and symbols. Lamps used for internal illumination of such signs shall not be included in the lumens per net acre limit set in thes Subsection. Such signs shall be turned off at 11:00 pm or when the business closes, whichever is later.

10-08-002-0009. AIRPORT LIGHTING:

Airport lighting which is required for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft during flight, takeoff, landing, and taxiing is exempt from the provisions of this Division. Lighting used for illumination of aircraft loading, unloading, and servicing areas is exempt from the lumens per acre limits of Subsections 10-08-002-0006.A, -0007.A, -0008.A, although it must conform to all other requirements of this Division. All other outdoor lighting at airport facilities shall comply with the provisions of this Division.

10-08-002-0010. INFRARED SECURITY LIGHTING:

Lights emitting infrared radiation used for remote security surveillance systems are exempt from the filtration requirements of Subsection 10-08-002-0005.G. Such lighting is permitted in all zones with the following restrictions:

A.
Fixed lights must be fully-shielded.
B.
Moveable lights, such as spot lights attached to infrared-sensitive cameras, must be mounted such that the lights cannot be directed higher than twenty degrees below the horizontal, measured from the center of the light beam.

10-08-002-0011. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A.
Whenever a person is required to obtain a building permit, electrical permit for outdoor lighting or signage, a Conditional Use Permit, subdivision approval, or development plan approval by the City, including all City projects, or whenever a person requests annexation or rezoning, the applicant shall, as a part of said application, submit sufficient information to enable the Planning Director to determine whether the proposed lighting will comply with this Division.
B.
The application shall include the following:
C.
If the Planning Director determines that the proposed lighting does not comply with this Division, the permit shall not be issued or the plan approved.

10-08-002-0012. TEMPORARY LIGHTING PERMITS:

A.
The Planning Director may grant a permit for temporary lighting, as defined herein, if he/she finds the following:
B.
The application for the Temporary Lighting Permit shall include the following information:
C.
The Planning Director shall endeavor to rule on the application within five (5) business days from the date of submission of the request and notify the applicant in writing of his/her decision. The Planning Director may grant one (1) renewal of the permit for an additional thirty (30) days if he/she finds that, because of an unanticipated change in circumstances, a renewal would be in the public interest. The Planning Director is not authorized to grant more than one (1) temporary permit and one (1) renewal for a thirty (30) day period for the same property within one (1) calendar year.

10-08-003-0013. NONCONFORMING USES:

A.
Mercury vapor lamps in use for outdoor lighting in Zones I, II and III on the effective date of this ordinance shall not be so used after 1 May 1996.
B.
Any construction permit which invokes Certificate of Occupancy requirements shall specify and require that any nonconforming sign, as to lighting, located within the boundaries of the development site authorized by said permit shall be brought into conformance with the provisions of this Division.
C.
No outdoor lighting fixture which was lawfully installed prior to the enactment of this ordinance shall be required to be removed or modified except as expressly provided herein; however, no modification or replacement shall be made to a nonconforming fixture unless the fixture thereafter conforms to the provisions of this Division.
D.
In the event that any nonconforming sign, as to lighting, is abandoned or is damaged, and the damage exceeds fifty (50) percent of the reproduction value, exclusive of foundations, to replace it, the sign shall be brought into conformance with the provisions of this Division.

10-08-002-0014. VARIANCES:

Any person desiring to install an outdoor lighting fixture in violation of this Division may apply to the Board of Adjustment for a variance from the regulation in question, as provided for in Chapter 10 of this Code, as ammended.

10-08-002-0015. CONFLICTING REGULATIONS:

In the event of conflict between the regulations set forth in this Division and any other regulations applicable to the same area, the more stringent limitation or requirement shall govern.

10-08-002-0016. VIOLATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT:

It shall be unlawful to install or operate an outdoor light fixture in violation of this Division. Any person violating any provisions of this Division shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Each and every day during which the illegal erection, maintenance and use continues is a separate offense.

10-08-002-0017. SEVERABILITY:

If any of the provisions of this Division or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Division which can be given effect, and to this end, the provisions of this Division are declared to be severable.

CHAPTER 10-14. DEFINITIONS:

Abandonment. The discontinuation of use for a period of six months.

Acreage, Net. The remaining ground area after deleting all portions for proposed and existing streets within a development or subdivision.

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.

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.

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.

Development Project. Any residential, commercial, industrial or mixed use subdivision plan or development plan which is submitted to the City for approval.

Direct Illumination. Illumination resulting from light emitted directly from a lamp or luminaire, not light diffused through translucent signs or reflected from other surfaces such as the ground or building faces.

Filtered Light. Light from a light source that is covered by a glass, acrylic or other cover that restricts the amount of non-visible radiation (infrared, ultraviolet) emitted by the luminaire (quartz glass does not meet this definition).

Fully Shielded Fixture. An outdoor light fixture shielded in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, is projected below the horizontal as determined by photometric test or certified by the manufacturer.

Installed Lighting. Attached, or fixed in place, whether or not connected to a power source.

Lumen. The unit used to measure the actual amount of light which is produced by a lamp.

Luminaire. The complete lighting assembly, less the support assembly. For purposes of determining total light output from a luminaire, lighting assemblies which include multiple unshielded or partially shielded lamps on a single pole or standard shall be considered as a single unit.

Multi-class Lighting. Any outdoor lighting used for more than one purpose, such as security and decoration, such that its use falls under the definition of two or more classes as defined for Class 1, 2 and 3 Lighting.

Opaque. Opaque means that material must not transmit light from an internal illumination source.

Outdoor Light Fixtures. Outdoor electrically powered illuminating devices, outdoor lighting or reflective surfaces, lamps and similar devices, either permanently installed or portable, which are used for illumination or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, search, spot and flood lights for:

a.
buildings and structures
b.
recreational areas
c.
parking lot lighting
d.
landscape and architectural lighting
e.
billboards and other signs (advertising or other)
f.
street lighting
g.
product display area lighting

Outdoor Light Output, Total. The maximum total amount of light, measured in lumens, from all outdoor light fixtures. For lamp types that vary in their output as they age (such as high pressure sodium), the initial output, as defined by the manufacturer, is the value to be considered. For determining compliance with sections 10-08-002-0006A, -0007A and -0008A of this Division, the light emitted from outdoor light fixtures is to be included in the total output as follows:

  1. Outdoor light fixtures installed on poles (such as parking lot luminaires) and light fixtures installed on the sides of buildings or other structures, when not shielded from above by the structure itself as defined in paragraphs 2 and 3 below, are to be included in the total outdoor light output by simply adding the lumen outputs of the lamps used;
  2. Outdoor light fixtures installed under canopies, building overhangs, or roof eaves where the center of the lamp or luminaire is located at least five (5) feet but less than ten (10) feet from the nearest edge of the canopy or overhang are to be included in the total outdoor light output as though they produced only one-quarter (1/4) of the lamp's rated lumen output;
  3. Outdoor light fixtures located under the canopy and ten (10) or more feet from the nearest edge of a canopy, building overhang, or eave are to be included in the total outdoor light output as though they produced only one-tenth (1/10) of the lamp's rated lumen output.

Outdoor Recreation Facility means an area designed for active recreation, whether publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools.

Partially Shielded Fixture. An outdoor light fixture shielded in such a manner that more than zero (0) but less than ten (10) percent of the light emitted directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture is projected at angles above the horizontal, as determined by photometric test or certified by the manufacturer.

Person. Any individual, lessee, firm, partnership, association, joint venture, corporation, or agent of the aforementioned groups or the State of Arizona or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Planning Director. The Director of the Planning Division for the City of Flagstaff.

Sign. Any medium, including its structure and component parts, which is used or intended for advertising purposes other than the painting on the surface of a building.

Sign, Indirectly Illuminated. Any sign the facing of which reflects light from a source intentionally directed upon it.

Sign, Internally Illuminated. Any sign which has the source of light entirely enclosed within the sign and not directly visible to the eye.

Temporary Lighting. Lighting which does not conform to the provisions of this ordinance and which will not be used for more than one thirty (30) day period within a calendar year, with one thirty (30) day extension. Temporary lighting is intended for uses which by their nature are of limited duration; e.g. holiday decorations, civic events, or construction projects.

Use, Abandonment of. The relinquishment of a property, or the cessation of a use or activity by the owner or tenant for a period of six months, excluding temporary or short term interruptions for the purpose of remodelling, maintaining, or otherwise improving or rearranging a facility. A use shall be deemed abandoned when such use is suspended as evidenced by the cessation of activities or conditions which constitute the principle use of the property.

Watt. The unit used to measure the electrical power consumption of a lamp.

 

 

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