Ordinance Number 560ORDINANCE NO. _5fiA 242
AMENDMENT TO TITLE 9 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE -
EXTERIOR LIGHTING REGULATIONS
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 9-3.614 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE PROVIDING REGULATIONS FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF EXTERIOR LIGHTING IN
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA,
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings.
The City Council finds that:
A. The City's Environmental Review Board has reviewed
the amendment set forth herein, has determined
that the amendment is a minor modification to land
use limitations and therefore categorically exempt
from environmental review, and has otherwise
carried out all requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act as amended.
B. This code amendment will provide regulations for
the installation of exterior lighting in
residential areas of the City. There are
presently no standards or provisions to carry out
the General Plan goals of restricting site
lighting to a minimum level. This code amendment
provides such standards.
C. A duly noticed public hearing has been held to
receive and consider public testimony regarding
the proposed amendment.
SECTION 2. Amendment Text.
A. Introduction
Based upon the findings set forth in Section 1,
preceding, the following amendments to the
Municipal Code set forth under Paragraph B,
following, are hereby enacted.
B. Amendment
1. Section 9-3.614, Lighting, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
"Section 9-3.614. Lighting.
"(a) Purpose and Intent. It is the goal of
the City's General Plan to maintain a
small -village, rural atmosphere and to
ensure that all future developments
reiterate these qualities. To meet this
goal, site lighting should be kept to a
minimum level and still provide safety
to the public. Any artificial lighting
for any use shall be arranged to
substantially confine all direct rays to
the subject property, and away from
streets or adjacent properties.
"(b) Outdoor Recreation Uses. Outdoor night
lighting for tennis courts, equestrian
uses, or other recreational uses, except
that required for security purposes,
shall not be permitted unless a
conditional use permit is approved by
the City. All night lighting, for any
purpose, shall conform to the
requirements of Subsection (a) of this
Section. The requirements of Subsection
(c) of this Section do not apply to
recreation uses.
"(c) Residential Area. All properties zoned
for residential use shall be subject to
the following exterior lighting
regulations. These regulations apply to
both security lighting and purely
decorative lighting. Exterior lighting
can serve both an aesthetic function as
well as a safety function at the same
time. All exterior lighting shall be
included on an electrical plan and meet
the following standards:
11(1) Intensity - The amount of light
projected onto any surface shall
not exceed five (5) foot candles.
"(2) Height - Building mounted lights
shall be installed below the
eaveline; pole- or wall -mounted
lights shall be limited to 8 feet
in height above finish grade.
"(3) Spacing - The distance separating
lights shall be a minimum of 35
feet. Low intensity ground -mounted
lights (one (1) foot candle,
maximum 18 inches in height) needed
for pedestrian safety are exempt.
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11(4) Location - Lighting shall only be
installed adjacent to buildings,
walkways, driveways or within
activity areas (swimming
pools/spas, outdoor -dining areas,
and other similar uses) and focal
landscape areas located in close
proximity to the residence or
activity area.
11(5) Type - The use of high- and
low-pressure sodium lights may be
permitted, subject to review and
approval of the Planning
Commission.
11(6) Shielding - Where the light source
is visible from outside the
property, said lighting shall be
limited to 15 foot candles measured
one (1) foot from the lamp.
11(7) Required Ministerial Review - All
exterior lighting proposals set
forth in the electrical plan shall
be reviewed by the Environmental
Review Board to determine
compliance with the standards set
forth in this Subsection. The
Environmental Review Board review
shall be a ministerial,
non -discretionary review as to
compliance with the specific
criteria set forth in Subsection
(c). Exceptions to said standards
may be granted subject to criteria
set forth in Subsection 9-2.303(c)
of Article 3 of Chapter 2 of this
Title. A positive finding for
Subsection 9-2.303(c)(1)(i) is not
required for exceptions to these
standards."
SECTION 3. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty
(30) days after its passage.
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SECTION 4. City Clerk's Certification.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this
Ordinance and cause the same to be published once as required by
law and posted at the duly designated posting places within the
City of San Juan Capistrano within fifteen (15) days after its
passage.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of
January , 1986.
•�"!��ir�' y1
ATTEST:
CITY CLE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
I, MARY ANN HANOVER, City Clerk of the City of San Juan
Capistrano, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a
true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 560 , which was
introduced at a meeting of the City Council of the City of San
Juan Capistrano, California, held on December 17 . 1985 , and
adopted at a meeting held on Janury 7 . 1986 by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmen Friess, Bland, Buchheim,
Hausdorfer, and Mayor Schwartze
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
(SEAL) 2�2z��
MARY ANN HOVER, CITY CLERK
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