Top
General Plans Notes
DRAFT Model Light Pollution and Radiation Safety Element for a General Plan,  By David J. Dilworth HOPE Web Site.

List of General Plan & Environmental Impact Reports referencing lighting, is in additon to this page and contains Cities and Counties.

Counties With Reference to Outdoor Lighting or Light Pollution in the General Plan or GP review comments.

El Dorado Co. -- See List of General Plan & Environmental Impact Reports referencing lighting.

Kern Co. --  General Plan, Land Use, Conservation, and Open Space Element (.pdf link)  --   (see 1.10.7 Light and Glare)
Lassen Co. --  General Plan & Ordinance References (.pdf  68k) -- Very Good

Nevada Co.  -- General Plan (.pdf)  adopted 1996
Chapter 18: Aesthetics    Volume I - Page 193
Habitats throughout the county have been modified by human activity.  The ... noise and night lighting have served to reduce the habitat
values throughout the area. ...
Chapter 18: Aesthetics    Volume I - Page 193 (.pdf)
Policy 18.10 New and replacement road system lighting shall utilize fixtures and light sources that minimize night-time light pollution, without compromising traffic safety.
Policy 18.11    New Commercial, Industrial and Multiple Family development shall utilize fixtures and light sources that minimize night time light pollution.

Sacramento Co. - Proposed  Land Use Element,  Page 54 (.pdf 4.1MB)
LIGHT POLLUTION
Objective: Reduced levels of light pollution in both new and existing communities.
Intent: Nighttime lighting provides safety and comfort to communities and their residents, but excess and misdirected light creates the phenomenon known as light pollution. An increasing problem for metropolitan areas, light pollution is light not targeted for a specific task, creating an unhealthy and unsightly environment. This light originates from a number of sources including interior and exterior lighting on buildings, lights associated with advertising, streetlights, sporting venues and shopping centers. There are number of environmental, ecological, quality of life, and human health implications associated with light pollution. Excess nighttime light wastes energy and harms the integrity of ecosystems. Artificial light interrupts the biological clock of organisms that depend on light (or lack thereof) to trigger behavioral activities. Upward-directed light creates skyglow above cities, impairing the view of the night sky, stars and planets. As Sacramento County continues to grow, efforts can be taken to reduce excess and inappropriate light on the surrounding social and biological environment by ensuring lighting structures are designed to limit the distribution of forward light, backlight and uplight.
Policy:
LU-33. Strive to achieve a natural nighttime environment and an uncompromised public view of the night sky by reducing light pollution.
Implementation Measure:
A. Address and incorporate outdoor lighting measures in any Zoning Code update, community and specific plans, corridor plans, district plans, transit station plans or any other planning programs.

San Diego Co. --  General Plan Conservation Element CHAPTER 7 ASTRONOMICAL DARK SKY  Page X-85
"FINDING 6 Light pollution is cumulative in that the sky brightness that already exists is
increased by each new source. It is incorrect to say that a little additional light will be
lost in the glow that presently exists -- it will simply add to it."

Sonoma Co.  -- See List of General Plan & Environmental Impact Reports referencing lighting.

Various Cities With Reference to Outdoor Lighting or Light Pollution in the General Plan or GP review comments.-- See List of General Plan & Environmental Impact Reports referencing lighting.

Crescent City - General Plan Final EIR see page 6-32 

Goleta    -  General Plan  Visual and Historic Resources Eelement (Ref. Light Pollution) Page 6.16 (.pdf)
VH 4.12 Lighting. [GP] Outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed, located, aimed downward
or toward structures (if properly shielded), retrofitted if feasible, and maintained in
order to prevent over-lighting, energy waste, glare, light trespass, and sky glow. The
following standards shall apply:
a. Outdoor lighting shall be the minimum number of fixtures and intensity needed
for the intended purpose. Fixtures shall be fully shielded and have full cut off
lights to minimize visibility from public viewing areas and prevent light pollution
into residential areas or other sensitive uses such as wildlife habitats or migration
routes.
b. Direct upward light emission shall be avoided to protect views of the night sky.
c. Light fixtures used in new development shall be appropriate to the architectural
style and scale and compatible with the surrounding area.
VH-IA-2 ... The Design Guidelines should also address outdoor lighting, including quality and quantity
of illumination levels, glare, light pollution, energy efficiency, safety, and security.

City of Hollister , San Benito Co
Hollister  General Plan see POLICIES 64, 66, 67 page 97

Oxnard   -  General Plan Update starting  May 1, 2007
The GP has "more lighting", "more lighting", and nothing about night time habitat or preserving the night sky.
Search using - "lighting" filetype:pdf site:www.westplanning.com/docs/oxnard

Seaside  General Plan August 2004  Page COS-21 and  COS-35
Page COS-21
PRESERVATION OF NIGHT SKIES
Viewing the wonders of the night sky is a rapidly disappearing natural heritage. It is becoming increasingly difficult to see the planets, stars, and Milky Way without traveling to locations far from home. Even truly remote dark locations are becoming scarce.  ...
Page COS-35
PRESERVATION OF NIGHT SKIES
The protection of night skies in Monterey County is important to astrological research and to general viewing of the galaxy. Measures to reduce light pollution will also reduce energy consumption. The City can participate in preserving night skies.
Goal COS-8: Encourage exterior lighting that preserves night skies.
Policy COS 8.1: Participate in local and regional efforts to reduce light pollution of night skies.
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
Implementation Plan COS-8.1.1 Shielded Street Lights. The City Shall continue to implement its policy to require that all new street lights placed in the public right-of-way be fully shielded.  Responsible Agency/Department: Public Works, Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund, development fees  Time Frame: Ongoing

---

Top

SB 5X Outdoor Lighting Standards NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS PAGE Energy Commission Docket Number: (02-OLS-1)

2008 Update to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards

See Also:       Zoning Ordinances by County
                          Municipal Code Corporation
                          Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington
                          Web Start California Home Page   a tool for finding cities.

See also