Chapter 12.16
OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Sections:

12.16.010    Definitions.

12.16.020    General requirements.

12.16.030    Unlawful activities.

12.16.040    Exemptions.

12.16.050    Exclusions.

12.16.060    Conflict with other ordinances.

12.16.070    Enforcement.

12.16.080    Limitation of actions.

12.16.090    Violation – Penalty.

12.16.010 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

A. “Individual” means any private individual, tenant, lessee, owner or any commercial entity including, but not limited to, companies, partnerships, joint ventures or corporations.

B. “Installed” means the initial installation of outdoor light fixtures as defined in this section made subsequent to the enactment of this chapter and shall not pertain to those outdoor light fixtures existing at the time of enactment of this chapter or those outdoor fixtures for street lighting projects on order or in stock at the time of enactment of this chapter.

C. “Outdoor light fixtures” includes, but is not limited to, lighting for billboards, street lights, shopping center parking area lights, externally or internally illuminated on-site or business advertising signs and area-type lighting. (1964 code § 9.14.010).

12.16.020 General requirements.

A. Streetlight spacing shall be as described in GMC 16.28.080(A), (B) and (C).

B. Lighting Sources. The required lighting sources for streets, parking lots and other area-type lighting shall be clear mercury vapor or high pressure sodium vapor lamps, meeting the other provisions of this section. (Ord. 2009-2 § 19; 1964 code § 9.14.020).

12.16.030 Unlawful activities.

It is unlawful for any individual to engage in the following activities:

A. The operation of a searchlight for advertising purposes between midnight and sunrise;

B. The illumination after midnight of an outdoor public recreation facility, unless a specific recreational activity is already in progress;

C. The use of quartz or metal halide lamps for outdoor illumination during the hours of midnight to sunrise. (1964 code § 9.14.030).

12.16.040 Exemptions.

A. Any individual herein may submit a written request to the building inspector for a temporary exemption to the requirements of this chapter. The request for the exemption shall contain as a minimum the following information:

1. Type and use of outdoor light fixture involved;

2. Specific exemption requested;

3. Physical size of outdoor light fixture;

4. Total wattage of lamp or lamps;

5. Proposed location of outdoor light;

6. Duration of use of outdoor light.

In addition to the above data, the building inspector may request any additional information which would enable him to make a reasonable evaluation of the request for exemption.

B. The building inspector shall have 10 workdays from the receipt of the request for exemption in which to accept or to reject the request. If rejected, such rejection shall be in writing and the individual making the request shall have the right of appeal to the city council for review of the decision of the building inspector. (1964 code § 9.14.040).

12.16.050 Exclusions.

The following shall be excluded from the provisions of this chapter:

A. Outdoor light fixtures of all types within the city limits existing prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter;

B. Private residential incandescent outdoor illumination;

C. Light produced directly by the combustion of natural gas or other fuels;

D. Signs in which light is produced by glass tubing filled with neon, argon and/or krypton;

E. Signs of the type constructed of translucent materials and wholly illuminated from within which are in compliance with GMC 12.16.020;

F. Fluorescent type lamps having at least eight percent of the total emergent flux lying in the spectral region above 4,900 angstrom units. A list of fluorescent lamps meeting the requirements is on file with the building inspector;

G. Private and commercial holiday lighting. (1964 code § 9.14.050).

12.16.060 Conflict with other ordinances.

Where a provision of the city ordinances, the Washington Revised Statutes, or the United States Code requires, for the purpose of health, welfare or public safety, a lighting requirement contrary to the provision of this chapter, the provision shall prevail over any or all requirements of this chapter. (1964 code § 9.14.060).

12.16.070 Enforcement.

The building inspector, with the cooperation or the police chief, is authorized and directed to perform all acts necessary and appropriate to enforce and to give effect to this chapter. (1964 code § 9.14.070).

12.16.080 Limitation of actions.

Any action brought under the provisions of this chapter must be commenced within one year after the date the violation occurred. (1964 code § 9.14.090).

12.16.090 Violation – Penalty.

A. Any individual violating any of the provisions of this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty of $300.00. The city attorney may bring civil actions in the appropriate court of the state in the name of the city for the remedy herein provided.

B. For any violation of a continuing nature, each day’s violation shall be considered a separate offense and may subject the offender to the above penalty for each offense. (1964 code § 9.14.080).