YUCCA VALLEY ORDINANCE NO. 90
Regulations for Outdoor Lighting and Night Sky Protection
THIS IS AN ABSTRACT of some of the main points from the ordinance. The full language of the ordinance can be viewed at the Code Enforcement office (see below) or on-line.
Note that this contains only a general sense of the ordinance and is not complete language; please consult the actual ordinance for full provisions.
STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Land Use districts: New construction/new lighting must be fully shielded or recessed so as to avoid adverse impacts from light trespass, including to adjacent property or travelers on adjacent roads/rights-of-ways. (See “Definitions” below for meanings of “fully shielded” and “light trespass”.)
Existing nonconforming light fixtures are allowed continued use for their “natural life” unless they result in light trespass, in which case they may require remedy (shielding, removal, replacement, redirection, etc.). In Commercial/Industrial districts, hardship cases may be granted additional time for remedy.
Fifty percent of all non-conforming fixtures within parking lots or open lot sale areas must be turned off within one hour of closing or between 11 p.m. and dawn, whichever occurs first.
Private recreational facilities: No illumination between 11 p.m. and sunrise.
Public recreational facilities: No illumination unless they’re being utilized, and illumination is to be turned off no later than 11 p.m. or one hour after end of event, whichever occurs first. No illumination between the hours of 11 p.m. and sunrise.
Billboards and signs: Lighting fixtures must be mounted on top of the sign structure and be shielded.
DEFINITIONS
“Fully shielded” means shielded or constructed so that light rays are only emitted at angles below a horizontal plane passing through the lowest point of the light source and so as not to direct light or light trespass onto adjacent property.
“Light trespass”: Nuisance glare onto neighboring property that interferes with viewing of night sky or eliminates ability to have darkness on adjacent property or shines into neighboring windows and any areas on neighboring properties or structures. Quantitative method of measurement of light trespass is described in the ordinance.
EXEMPTIONS
Various exemptions are provided for, including kerosene lanterns and gas lamps; outdoor neon; public entities and agencies; emergency lighting; holiday lighting; flag lighting; and others.
Other notable exemptions: Fixtures within 5 feet of an entrance/exit door or alcove of a dwelling, not higher than 8 feet or exceeding 75 watts, provided there is no light trespass; and pedestrian or architectural lighting not greater than 40 watts.
ENFORCEMENT
The Director of the Community Development Department or designee is responsible for enforcement.
PENALTIES
Violators shall receive correction notice for first violation for each given year. Subsequent violation is a punishable infraction.
FEATURED LINK:
- To view the full language of the Yucca Valley Outdoor Lighting Ordinance, click here.
