A. The purpose of this chapter is to provide rules and regulations for outdoor lighting within the town of Mammoth Lakes in order to accomplish the following:
1. To promote a safe and pleasant nighttime environment for residents and visitors;
2. To protect and improve safe travel for all modes of transportation;
3. To prevent nuisances caused by unnecessary light intensity, direct glare, and light trespass;
4. To protect the ability to view the night sky by restricting unnecessary upward projection of light;
5. To phase out existing non-conforming fixtures that violate this chapter, including those owned by the town and other public agencies; and,
6. To promote lighting practices and systems to conserve energy.
B. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the town of Mammoth Lakes outdoor lighting ordinance.
C. The figures incorporated in this chapter or shown on informational sheets produced by the town of Mammoth Lakes are provided as guidelines for the public and staff to use in meeting the intent of this chapter. The figures serve only as examples. The town of Mammoth Lakes does not endorse or discriminate against any manufacturer or company that may be shown, portrayed, or mentioned as examples. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

Unless specifically defined below, the words and phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted to give the meaning they have in common usage, and to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
“Fixture” means a complete lighting unit including the lamp and parts designed to distribute the light, position and protect the lamp, and connect the lamp to a power source. Also referred to as a “luminaire”.
“Footcandle (fc)” means a unit of measurement for the total amount of light cast on a surface (illuminance). One footcandle is equivalent to the illuminance produced by a source of one candle at a distance of one foot.
“Full cut-off fixtures” means a lighting fixture designed such that no light, either directly from the bulb or indirectly from the fixture, is emitted at or above a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture.
“Glare” means direct and unshielded light striking the eye to result in visual discomfort and reduced visual performance.
“Lamp” is the generic term for an artificial light source installed in the socket portion of the fixture, to be distinguished from the whole assembly. Commonly referred to as a “bulb”.
“Light pollution” means any adverse effect of artificial light sources including, but not limited to, discomfort to the eye or diminished vision due to glare, light trespass, uncontrolled up-lighting, uncomfortable distraction to the eye, or any artificial light that diminishes the ability to view the night sky.
“Light trespass” means light falling where it is not wanted or needed, generally light from one property that shines onto another property or the public right-of-way.

“Lumen” means the unit used to quantify the amount of light energy produced by a lamp. For example, a forty-watt incandescent lamp produces approximately four hundred lumens, while a thirty-five-watt high pressure sodium lamp produces about two thousand three hundred lumens.
“Outdoor lighting fixture” means any temporary or permanent lighting fixture that is installed, located, or used in such a manner to provide illumination of objects or activities outside. Outdoor lighting fixtures include all fixtures mounted to the exterior of a structure, poles, bollards, or other freestanding structures, or placed so as to provide direct illumination on any exterior area or activity.
“Shielding” means a barrier around a fixture that helps conceal the lamp and control light distribution. A fixture that is “fully shielded” incorporates a solid barrier, emits no light rays above the horizontal plane and effectively obscures visibility of the lamp. A fixture that is “partially shielded” may allow some light to pass through a semi-translucent barrier, and/or may allow visibility of the lamp from certain perspectives.

“Temporary lighting” means lighting that is intended to be used for a special event for seven days or less. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

A. New Outdoor Lighting. All outdoor lighting fixtures installed after the effective date of this chapter shall conform to the requirements established by this chapter.
B. Existing Outdoor Lighting. All existing outdoor lighting fixtures installed prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be addressed as follows:
1. To immediately address nuisances caused by improperly installed, unshielded, or misdirected fixtures, all existing outdoor lighting fixtures shall be adjusted or modified to the extent practical to reduce or eliminate glare, light trespass, and light pollution.
2. All existing outdoor lighting fixtures located on a property that is part of an application for design review approval; a conditional use permit; subdivision approval; or, a building permit for a new structure or addition(s) of twenty-five percent or more in terms of gross floor area, seating capacity, or parking spaces (either with a single addition or cumulative additions), shall meet the requirements of this chapter for the entire property. Such applications are required to include an outdoor lighting plan pursuant to Section 17.040.060. Conformity shall occur prior to final inspection, final plat recordation, or business license issuance, when applicable.
3. All existing outdoor lighting fixtures on property used for commercial and industrial purposes not in conformance with this chapter shall be brought into conformance within three years from the date of adoption of this chapter, by May 21, 2006.
4. All existing outdoor lighting fixtures on property used for residential, institutional, public, and semi-public uses not in conformance with this chapter shall be brought into conformance within two years from the date of adoption of this chapter, by May 21, 2005. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

A. The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
1. Seasonal displays using multiple low wattage bulbs (approximately fifteen lumens or less), provided that they do not constitute a fire hazard, create a nuisance, and are maintained in a safe and attractive condition.
2. Vehicular lights and all temporary emergency lighting needed by the police department and fire protection district, or other emergency services.
3. All temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways, utilities, and other public infrastructure.
4. All lighting required by state or federal regulatory agencies.
B. The community development director may authorize additional property specific exemptions when proposed outdoor lighting does not conflict with the purposes of this chapter. An application for such an exemption must be made in writing and include an outdoor lighting plan pursuant to Section 17.34.060. Temporary lighting for special events shall be reviewed in this manner. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

The following general standards apply to all non-exempt outdoor lighting fixtures:
A. Nuisance Prevention. All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed, located, installed, aimed downward or toward structures¹, retrofitted if necessary, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass, and light pollution.
B. Maintenance. Fixtures and lighting systems shall be in good working order and maintained in a manner that serves the original design intent of the system.
C. Lighting Levels. Outdoor lighting installations shall be designed to avoid harsh contrasts in lighting levels between the project site and the adjacent properties. The Mammoth Lakes planning commission may, by resolution, adopt standards for maximum or minimum lighting levels for various zoning districts and for public streets, sidewalks, or trails, as developed by the community development and public works departments.
D. Lamp Types. Metal halide or high pressure sodium lamps are preferred for all new commercial and industrial area lighting (parking lot and yard lights) and street lighting installed after the effective date of this chapter due to good color rendering and good energy efficiency. Low pressure sodium lamps may be used for area lighting, but are not preferred due to poor color rendering. Low wattage incandescent or compact fluorescent lamps are preferred for residential lighting.
E. Fixture Types. All new outdoor lighting shall use full cut-off luminaires with the light source downcast

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1 An outdoor lighting fixture may only be aimed against a structure if the light is effectively contained by the structure and no glare is visible from off-site.
and fully shielded with no light emitted above the horizontal plane, with the following exceptions:
1. Fixtures that have a maximum output of four hundred lumens (equivalent to one forty-watt incandescent bulb) or less, regardless of the number of bulbs, may be left unshielded provided that it has an opaque top to prevent the light from shining directly up. However, partial (e.g. obscured glass) or full shielding is preferred to control light output in all situations.

2. Fixtures that have a maximum output of one thousand lumens (equivalent to one sixty-watt incandescent bulb) or less may be partially shielded using a semi-translucent barrier, provided that the lamp is not visible from off-site, no direct glare is produced, and the fixture has an opaque top to keep light from shining directly up. For example, a low-output style wall pack.
3. Floodlights that do not meet the definition of “full cut-off” may be used if permanently directed downward, if no light is projected above the horizontal plane, and if and fitted with external shielding to prevent glare and off-site light trespass. Unshielded floodlights are prohibited.

F. Accent Lighting. Architectural features may be illuminated by uplighting, provided that the light is effectively contained by the structure, the lamps are low intensity to produce a subtle lighting effect, and no glare or light trespass is produced. For national flags, statues, public art, or other objects of interest that cannot be illuminated with down-lighting, upward lighting may only be used in the form of one narrow-cone spotlight that confines the illumination to the object of interest.

G. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any design, material, or method of installation or operation not specifically prescribed herein, provided that the community development director has approved any such alternative. An alternative proposal may be approved if it provides at least approximate equivalence to the applicable specific requirements of this chapter, or if it is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of this chapter.
H. The town of Mammoth Lakes reserves the right to further restrict outdoor lighting including, but not limited to, pole height and level of illumination, when it is deemed in the public interest consistent with the purpose of this chapter. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

A. An outdoor lighting plan shall be submitted in conjunction with an application for design review approval; a conditional use permit; subdivision approval; or, a building permit for a new structure or addition(s) of twenty-five percent or more in terms of gross floor area, seating capacity, or parking spaces (either with a single addition or cumulative additions). An outdoor lighting plan is required for all new outdoor lighting installations on commercial (includes multi-family residential project of four or more units), industrial, public and institutional properties. The community development director may request outdoor lighting plans from applicants for other types of projects due to project location, size, or proposed use, as necessary. An outdoor lighting plan shall include at least the following:
1. Manufacturer specification sheets, cut-sheets, or other manufacturer provided information for all proposed outdoor lighting fixtures to show fixture diagrams and light output levels;
2. The proposed location, mounting height, and aiming point of all outdoor lighting fixtures (a site plan is preferred); and,
3. If building elevations are proposed for illumination, drawings for all relevant building elevations showing the fixtures, the portions of the elevations to be illuminated, the illuminance level of the elevations, and the aiming point for any remote light fixture.
B. If needed to review the proposed outdoor lighting fixture installation, the community development director may require additional information following the initial outdoor lighting plan submittal, including but not limited to a written narrative to demonstrate the objectives of the lighting, photometric data, Color Rendering Index (CRI) of all lamps and other descriptive information on the fixtures, computer generated photometric grid showing footcandle readings every ten feet within the property or site and ten feet beyond the property lines (An iso-footcandle contour line style plan may be acceptable), and/or landscaping information to describe potential screening.
C. The community development director may approve, deny, or require modifications to any outdoor lighting plan in order to meet the purpose of this chapter. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

A. The installation of any new fixture not in conformance with this chapter is prohibited after the effective date of this chapter.
B. After January 1, 2004, suppliers of outdoor lighting fixtures within the town of Mammoth Lakes are prohibited from having an inventory that does not include outdoor lighting fixtures that conform to the requirements of this chapter.
C. No outdoor lighting fixtures shall be installed, aimed, or directed to produce light that spills over into neighboring properties or the public right-of-way. Light trespass is prohibited.
D. No outdoor lighting fixture may be installed or maintained in such a manner to cause glare visible from off-site.
E. No outdoor lighting fixture may be operated in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or danger to persons, or to safe vehicular travel.
F. Blinking, flashing, moving, revolving, scintillating, flickering, changing intensity, and changing color lights and internally illuminated signs are prohibited, except as allowed by Section 17.40.130.
G. The installation of new mercury vapor lamps is prohibited.
H. Search lights, laser source lights, or any similar high-intensity light is prohibited except in emergencies by police and fire personnel or at their direction, or for approved temporary lighting under a special event permit issued by the community development director. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

All outdoor lighting for commercial signs installed and maintained pursuant to Chapter 17.40 shall conform to the provisions of this chapter. Light bulbs or lighting tubes used for sign illumination shall not be readily visible from the vehicular travel lanes, adjacent public rights-of-way, or adjoining properties. The intensity of sign lighting shall not exceed that necessary to illuminate and make legible a sign from the approved location of view, such as pedestrian walkway, adjacent travel way or closest town street. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

A. 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 significant off-site light trespass is produced.
B. The main lighting shall be turned off as soon as possible following the end of an event. Where feasible, a low level lighting system shall be used to facilitate patrons leaving the facility, cleanup, nighttime maintenance, and other closing activities. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

Property owners are encouraged to illuminate buildings located within twenty feet of the public right-of-way during public snow removal activities. The purpose is to make buildings fronting public roads visible in order to assist road maintenance crews and minimize the chance of property damage during snow removal activities. It is only necessary to illuminate a portion of the building facade. This section is not intended as a requirement to illuminate the right-of-way, driveways, or any portion of the front or side yard (see Section 12.16.080). All such lighting must conform to the requirements of this chapter for down-direction, shielding, glare and light trespass prevention. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

Incorrect installations, poor choice of fixtures, and over-lighting can result in unnecessarily high energy costs. The following recommendations are intended to encourage the efficient use of energy for lighting purposes.
A. All non-essential outdoor commercial and residential lighting is encouraged to be turned off after business hours and/or when not in use.
B. Where practical, outdoor lighting installations are encouraged to include timers, dimmers, sensors, or photocell controllers that turn the lights off during daylight hours to reduce overall energy consumption and eliminate unnecessary lighting. Sensor activated fixtures should not be triggered by activity off the subject property.
C. When selecting new outdoor lighting, the full cost of operation over the life of the fixture(s) should be considered. Substantial annual energy savings may be realized by using quality efficient fixtures.
D. Indiscriminate and excessive lighting should be avoided. Light should be directed only to where it is needed with appropriate intensity. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

It shall be unlawful to install or operate any outdoor lighting fixture in violation of this chapter. Any person violating any provisions of this chapter may be subject to the provisions of municipal code Chapter 8.32. In addition, any outdoor lighting fixture erected or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter may be declared to be a public nuisance subject to the procedures set forth in municipal code Chapter 8.20. Such remedies are in addition to and may be sought or imposed concurrently with, any other remedy provided by law, regulation, or ordinance. (Ord. 03-09, 2003)

The following figures illustrate examples of acceptable and unacceptable types of outdoor lighting fixtures. Note that even those types of fixtures shown as “acceptable” must be installed and aimed properly to comply with this chapter.

(Ord. 03-09, 2003)

The following Mammoth Lakes municipal code sections are hereby repealed only to the extent they are inconsistent with this chapter:

(Ord. 03-09, 2003)