West Hollywood Lighting Ordinance

As noted in proposed ordinance changes-

6. Section 19.20.100 - Outdoor Lighting. This Section is an expansion of 9309 b and 9313b and provides standards for the installation and maintenance of outdoor lighting that is proportionate to the use while providing security and reducing or preventing glare, light trespass, and sky glow to the maximum extent feasible.

ARTICLE 19-3
SITE PLANNING AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Chapter 19.20
General Property Development Standards

19.20.100 Outdoor Lighting.
A. General Standards for Outdoor Lighting. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to prevent
glare, light trespass, and sky glow as much as possible. Permanently installed lighting shall not blink,
flash, or be of unusually high intensity or brightness. Exterior lighting shall:
1. Be architecturally integrated with the character of the structures;
2. Be directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way;
3. Be energy-efficient and shielded so that all glare is confined within the boundaries of
the site;
4. Use timers, where acceptable, to turn outdoor lights off during hours when they are
not needed;
5. Be appropriate in height, intensity, and scale to the uses they are serving;
6. Use no more intensity than absolutely necessary. Illuminating Engineering Society of
North America (IENSA)-recommended light levels are as follows.

Location or Purpose of Lighting Recommended Light Level (foot candles)
Commercial building entrances – Active 5
Commercial building entrances – Inactive 1
General human safety 0.5 to 5 (depending on hazards and activity levels)
Parking or pedestrian areas A minimum of 0.2 to 0.9, with an average minimum ratio
of 4:1
Pathways, outdoor steps 1
Service station pump island  20 to 30*
* With 20 for light-colored surfaces and 30 for dark-colored surfaces.

7. Make use of “full-cutoff” fixtures to avoid glare and up-light. Note that these are different
from “cutoff” fixtures, which still allow some up-light.
8. Be on poles that are low and relatively closely spaced. Lighting in large surface areas
(e.g., parking lots), shall use a larger number of lower, pole-mounted fixtures rather than fewer, taller
fixtures. Wattage shall be kept below 250 watts.
B. Security Lighting. Security lighting shall be provided at all structure entrances and exits,
except for single-family dwellings and duplexes, where this requirement is optional. Motion-sensing
controls shall be used with rapid-start lamps, except where the Director deems that these are not appropriate
or feasible.
C. Shielded Lighting. Light sources associated with non-residential land uses shall be shielded
to direct light rays onto the subject parcel only. The light source, whether bulb or tube, shall not be
visible from adjacent properties or the public right-of-way. This section does not apply to traffic
safety lighting, or public street lighting.
(Ord. 01-594 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2001)

Ref: http://www.weho.org/download/index.cfm/fuseaction/download/cid/1152/

Chapter 19.36
STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES

19.36.080 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Exterior
E. Lighting. Each exterior ATM shall be provided with lighting in compliance with Section
19.20.100 (Outdoor Lighting) or state law, whichever is most restrictive.
(Ord. 01-594 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2001)

19.36.110 Congregate Care and Senior Residential Projects.
c. Security Lighting. Adequate internal and external lighting shall be provided for se-
curity purposes. The external lighting shall be stationary, directed away from adjacent properties
and public rights-of-way, and of an intensity compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, in
compliance with 19.20.100 (Outdoor Lighting); and
d. Project Security. The entire project shall be designed to provide maximum security
for residents, guests, and employees.

19.36.130 Extended Hour Businesses
D. Crime Prevention. The facility shall be designed, developed, and operated to provide the
maximum feasible patron and employee security and crime prevention. Specifically, the design, in-
stallation, and maintenance of landscaping, fences, walls, hedges, outdoor displays and storage, secu-
rity lighting, and solid waste storage areas shall promote customer, neighborhood, and employee
security and minimize opportunities for crime to the greatest extent feasible. A minimum of one
armed security guard, P.O.S.T. certified, shall remain on duty during all hours from 2:00 a.m. to
6:00 a.m. that the business is open. The Director may waive or modify the security guard require-
ment if an alternative method is determined to be acceptable in meeting the intent of this subsec-
tion.
E. Light and Glare. On-site screening shall be installed and maintained, to the satisfaction of
the Director, to minimize light and glare on adjoining residential properties and dwelling units, in
compliance with Section 19.20.100 (Outdoor Lighting).

9.36.155 Kiosks.
F. Lighting. Each kiosk shall be provided with lighting in compliance with Section 19.20.100
(Outdoor Lighting) or state law, whichever is most restrictive.

19.36.260 Recycling Facilities.
Lighting. The machines shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation
if operating hours are between dusk and dawn, in compliance with 19.20.100 (Outdoor Lighting).



Additional Notes

ORDINANCE NO. 07-762
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD APPROVING ZONE TEXT
AMENDMENT 2007-001 AND ZONE TEXT
AMENDMENT 2007-005 TO CREATE A GREEN BUILDING  PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT WITH
INCENTIVES FOR EXEMPLARY PROJECTS THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. On December 15, 2005, the City Council directed the
Community Development Department the Community Development Department
to develop a green building program to include a mandatory green building point
system for private development and consider incentives for high-achieving
projects.

Ordinance No. 07-762
Page 3 of 9
13. Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting. Projects shall comply with all applicable
requirements in Section 19.20.100(A)(3) (Outdoor Lighting)

Links

http://www.weho.org/download/index.cfm/fuseaction/download/cid/1159/  -  Chapter 19.20
http://www.weho.org   - link to City of West Hollywood