(1) To regulate exterior lighting in order to avoid unsafe and unpleasant conditions as the result of poorly designed or installed exterior lighting.

(2) To implement the light and energy conservation policies of the Comprehensive Plan.

(3) To discourage excessive lighting.

(4) To regulate the type of light fixtures, lamps and standards.

(5) To protect low and low moderate density residential zones from the ill affects associated with non-residential and multi-family exterior lighting.

(6) To create a safe environment during hours of darkness.

(7) To avoid excessive lighting in order to promote the City’s dark night sky policies.

(1) When an exterior lighting installation is part of a new development proposal requiring Site Plan Review, a General Development Permit or a Special Development Permit, the Technical Committee shall review and approve the lighting design as part of the permitting process.

(2) The Technical Committee shall review and approve the lighting design as part of the permitting processing for projects undergoing redevelopment or expansion when the redevelopment increases the gross floor area or valuation by the criteria established in 20F.10.60(10)(a) and 20F.10.60(10)(a)(i) of these regulations.

(3) These regulations do not apply to individual dwelling units, with the exception of common areas, which are regulated. Examples of common areas include, but are not limited to pathways, clubhouses, shared driveways, parking lots and play areas.

(5) These regulations do not apply to lighting necessary for emergency equipment and work conducted in the interests of law enforcement or for the safety, health, or welfare of the community.

(6) The regulation of sign lighting is governed by Chapter 20D.160.

(1) Site lighting trespass onto adjacent residential zones shall be minimized.

(2) Site lighting shall minimize light spill into the dark night sky.

(3) Where practical, exterior lighting installations shall include timers, dimmers, sensors, or photocell controllers that turn the lights off during daylight hours or hours when lighting is not needed, to reduce overall energy consumption and eliminate unneeded lighting.

(4) Exterior lighting installations shall be designed to avoid harsh contrasts in lighting levels.

(5) Fixtures and lighting systems used for safety and security shall be in good working order and shall be maintained in a manner that serves the original design intent of the system.

(6) Vegetation and landscaping shall be maintained in a manner that does not obstruct security lighting and minimizes possible entrapment spaces.

(7) The applicant shall submit to the Technical Committee sufficient information, in the form of an overall exterior lighting plan, to enable the Technical Committee to determine that the applicable provisions will be satisfied. The exterior lighting plan shall include at least the following:

(1) For exterior lighting installations and fixtures within 50 feet of low and low-moderate density residential zones (densities less than or equal to R-6), the following requirements shall apply:

(2) The height restrictions of this section [item 1(a) above] shall not apply to lighting used to illuminate outdoor performance areas, sport and recreation facilities, and playfields, except where such lighting fixtures are located within 50 feet of the property line of a low and low-moderate density residential use or vacant residential lot (densities less than or equal to R-6). Lighting of outdoor performance areas, sport and recreation facilities, and playfields shall also meet the standards in section 20D.90.10-080.

(1) Open-air parking lots shall comply with the standards of this section in addition to the other requirements of this division.

(2) For multilevel parking facilities, the roof level shall be considered an open-air parking lot.

(3) Open-air parking lot lighting shall be designed to provide adequate vision, comfort and safety.

(4) Open-air parking lot lighting shall be designed to provide for uniform lighting throughout the facility with no dark patches or pockets.

(5) Open-air parking lot lighting shall be designed to provide a minimum value of lighting necessary for the safety and identification of features.

(6) Open-air parking lot lighting shall not cause direct illumination on adjacent and nearby properties or streets. Fixtures should be of a type or adequately shielded so as to prevent glare from normal viewing angles.

(7) In order to direct light downward and minimize the amount of light spilled into the dark night sky, all lighting fixtures serving open-air parking lots, except as allowed in subsection (8) below, shall be full cut-off fixtures as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).

(8) If the design of an area suggests the use of parking lot lighting fixtures of a particular "period" or architectural style, the Technical Committee may permit alternatives or supplements to the lighting described above. In order to minimize the amount of light spilled into the dark night sky the following shall apply:

(10)The Technical Committee may allow increases from Basic to Enhanced Security lighting levels (see table below), when personal security is an issue, such as where the parking facility is used during all hours of the day and night, where special security needs exist, or where vandalism or crime are possible. The Technical Committee may consider specific site characteristics, level of vehicle and pedestrian conflict, special security needs, and history or likelihood of crimes in making its determination.

(11) The table below establishes open-air parking lot lighting standards.

¹For typical conditions. During periods of non-use, the illuminance of certain parking facilities should be turned off or reduced to conserve energy. If reduced lighting is to be used only for the purpose of property security, it is desirable that the minimum (low point) value not be less than 0.1 footcandle. Reductions should not be applied to facilities subject to intermittent night use, such as at apartments, hospitals and transportation terminals.

²The Technical Committee may allow increases from Basic to Enhanced Security lighting levels, when personal security is an issue, such as where the parking facility is used during all hours of the day and night, where special security needs exist, or where vandalism or crime are possible. The Technical Committee may consider specific site characteristics, level of vehicle and pedestrian conflict, special security needs, and history or likelihood of crimes in making its determination.

³Measured on the parking surface, without any shadowing effect from parked vehicles or trees at points of measurement.

⁴The highest horizontal illuminance point at grade, divided by the lowest horizontal illuminance point or area should not be greater than the values shown.

⁵Measured at 1.5 meters (5.0 feet) above parking surface at the point of the lowest horizontal illuminance, excluding facing outward along boundaries.

(1) See RCDG 20D.230.20-020, When Compliance with Transitional Regulations is Required, for the location of Transition Overlays and the identification of protected and complying zones.

(2) Within Transition Overlays, exterior lighting shall be designed, located, constructed, and maintained to minimize light and reflected light trespass into protected zones.

(3) Within Transition Overlays, interior parking structure lighting shall be designed, located, constructed, and maintained so that light and reflected light does not spill over or intrude into protected zones. The structure shall be designed and constructed so that light from cars within the structure does not spill over or intrude into protected zones. (Ord. 2027).

(4) As an alternative (or supplement) to recessed ceiling lights, indirect lighting may be used where light is beamed upward and then reflected down from the underside of the canopy. When this method is used, light fixtures must be shielded so that direct illumination is focused exclusively on the underside of the canopy.

(5) Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides (fascias) of the canopy. The sides (fascias of the canopy) shall not be illuminated in a manner other than that proscribed under the section of these regulations regulating signs.

(6) Areas around service station pump islands shall be illuminated so that the minimum horizontal illuminance at grade level is at least 1.0 footcandle and no more than 5.0 footcandles. The uniformity ratio (average illumination to minimum illumination) shall be no greater than 4:1. At the discretion of the Technical Committee, increased lighting levels may be permitted for enhanced security purposes only.

(1) Lighting levels for outdoor performance areas, sport and recreation facilities, and playfields shall not exceed by more than five (5) percent the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) published standards for the proposed activity.

(2) Where playing fields or other special activity areas are to be illuminated, lighting fixtures shall be mounted, aimed and shielded so that their beams fall within the primary playing area and immediate surroundings, and so that no direct illumination is directed off the site.

(3) The main lighting shall be turned off as soon as possible following the end of the event. The main lighting shall not remain on longer than thirty (30) minutes following the end of the event. Where feasible, a low level lighting system shall be used to facilitate patrons leaving the facility, cleanup, nighttime maintenance and other closing activities. The low level lighting system shall provide an average horizontal illumination level at grade of no more than 3.0 footcandles, with a uniformity ratio (average illumination to minimum illumination) not exceeding 4:1.

(1) Security Lighting is defined as lighting designed and used to discourage crime and undesirable activity.

(2) Security Lighting should use the lowest possible illumination to effectively allow surveillance.

(3) The use of sensor technologies, timers or other means to activate lighting during times when it will be needed may be required by the Technical Committee to conserve energy, provide safety, and promote compatibility between different land uses.

(4) In order to direct light downward and minimize the amount of light spill into the dark night sky, all security lighting fixtures shall be full cut-off fixtures as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).

(5) Security lighting shall be shielded and aimed so that illumination is directed to the designated areas.

(6) Where security lighting is proposed, the table below shall govern the range of permissible light levels for the listed applications. Where a proposed security lighting application is not identified in the table below, the table shall be used as a guide for establishing the range of permissible light levels.

Notes:

fc = footcandle

¹The greater the brightness of the surrounding area, the higher the illuminance required to balance the brightness.

²Illuminance on the ground.

³Illuminance on the ground in the inspection area.

(1) Fixtures used to accent architectural features, materials, colors, style of buildings, or art shall be located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed only on those features. Such fixtures shall be aimed or shielded so as to minimize light spill into the dark night sky. The Technical Committee may allow exceptions to this provision if minimal light escapes into the dark night sky or onto adjacent properties.

(2) Lighting fixtures shall not generate excessive light levels, cause glare, or direct light beyond the façade onto neighboring property, streets or the night sky.

(3) The maximum illumination of any vertical surface or angular roof surface in dark surroundings shall not exceed three (3) footcandles.

(4) The maximum illumination of any vertical surface or angular roof surface in light surroundings shall not exceed five (5) footcandles.

(5) Flags of the United States or Washington State may be illuminated from below provided such lighting is focused primarily on the individual flag or flags so as to limit light trespass and spill into the dark night sky.

(1) Lighting used to illuminate temporary uses shall be reviewed, and if necessary conditioned, through the Temporary Use Permitting Process.

(2) The Technical Committee may impose specific conditions for the lighting of temporary uses consistent with the purposes of this title.