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• •
City ol Rolling iciillo
June 24, 2014
Vickey Debrowski
10 Southfield Drive
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
SUBJECT: Outdoor Lighting Regulations
Dear Ms. Debrowski:
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274
(310) 377-1521
FAX: (310) 377-7288
I am following up to an earlier email and phone conversation regarding a possible
violation on your property relating to the City's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. A concern
was received by the City that you have lighting shining upwards from some ground
mounted lights.
In adopting a revised lighting ordinance, the City Council reaffirmed its policy of
preserving the City's tranquil rural environment. Ordinance 309, effective in May, 2008,
updated exterior lighting standards applicable to illumination of walkways/driveways,
address signs, entry pilaster/courtyards, porches/exterior walls and all security lighting.
Please see enclosed a flyer summarizing Ordinance 309.
The City's goal is to preserve its rural environment, which is degraded by artificial
nighttime illumination. It is requested that you review the regulations in the attached
handout and bring your lighting into conformance with the ordinance, as applicable.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions about the
Ordinance regulations and how they apply to your property, please do not hesitate to call
me at (310) 377-1521. The best time to reach me is between 1:00 and 4:30 pm on
Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
Sin
Rosemary£ackow
Planning Assistant
c: Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director
Enclosure: Lighting Ordinance Flyer
Printed on Recycled Paper
•
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
DESIGN OF LIGHT
FIXTURES IS SUBJECT TO
APPROVAL BY THE RHCA
Dear Rolling Hills neighbor,
In order to preserve the pastoral environment of the City and its nighttime darkness,
please observe that only the following outdoor lighting can now be used and only
under the listed conditions:
1. Lighting along pedestrian pathways and driveways for the purpose of
providing safe passage:
• Each light fixture has shields to cast the light downwards.
•. The light bulbs cannot exceed 25 watt total per light fixture.
• Each light fixture is at least 20 feet apart from the next one and the
top of the fixture is at most 18 inches from the ground.
2. Motion sensor security lighting in your structures' entryways:
• These lights can shine for a maximum of 5 minutes.
• These security lights must not exceed a total wattage of 150 watts
per light fixture.
3. One ground -mounted address sign light or one light mounted on top of the
address sign that casts light downwards:
• The light bulb in said fixture may not exceed 15 watts.
• The top of the light fixture, if ground mounted, may not be higher
than 18 inches from the grade.
4. Entry post/pilaster lighting . at the foot of your driveway and / or at the
courtyard entrance to your residence:
• Light bulbs must be shielded and obscured by the lighting fixtures
to cast the light downward.
• Bulbs in such fixtures cannot exceed a total wattage of 40 watts per
light fixture.
5. Lighting on porches and exterior walls of structures on the property:
• Light bulbs must be shielded to cast light downwards.
• Light bulbs used in such fixtures cannot exceed a total wattage in
each light fixture of 40 watts..
6 Ambient lighting in a patio or terrace (i.e. for cooking, dining or entertaining):
• These lights are not required to shine downwards, provided that
they are operated manually and used only when necessary.'
• Light bulbs used in such fixtures may not exceed a total wattage in
each light fixture of 40 watts.
7. Temporary lighting for holidays and for special events.
Updated 10-14-2009
UNPERMITTED LIGHTING:
Lighting that shines upwards to illuminate any structures, landscaping or
architectural features.
Lighting that spills onto roadways or adjacent properties.
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS:
1.. A property owner may request a modification fronm, these lighting
regulations, based on special circumstances, by application to the
Planning Commission (fee applies).
2. Residents may request an audit by the City of they outdoor lighting on
their property to determine compliance (fee applies).
NON -CONFORMING LIGHT FIXTURES AND LIGHT BULBS:
1. Effective January 1, 2009, all "up lighting" (light that shines upwards) must be
deactivated, removed or brought into compliance with the new requirements.
2. All non -conforming light fixtures installed vrior to Mav 28, 2008 may remain,
however, when these fixtures need replacement, the replacement fixture must
comply with the above requirements.
3. The wattage of light bulbs in non -conforming light fixtures must be reduced to
a cumulative of 25 watts per fixture by January 1, 2009.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Be sure to note that any lighting used should be nonreflective and
incandescent and must not exceed the wattage as stated above or its technological
equivalent.
Questions? Call City Hall at 310-377-1521 or check the
City's website at www.Rolling-Hills.org
Thank you for complying with these regulations!
Updated 10-14-2009