Lighting Regulations in Chino Valley, Arizona: Preserving Dark Skies in the High Desert

Introduction: Chino Valley's Lighting Vision

Nestled in Yavapai County just 15 miles north of Prescott, Chino Valley holds the distinction of being Arizona's first Territorial Capital in 1864, though it held this title briefly before the capital moved to Prescott. Since its incorporation in 1970, this community has maintained its commitment to preserving its rural character and agricultural heritage.

The town's lighting regulations reflect its dedication to maintaining the quiet, slow-paced lifestyle that residents cherish. In the high desert landscape of Chino Valley, where open spaces stretch into the distance, the ability to view the night sky is considered a precious natural resource worth protecting.

These lighting regulations serve multiple purposes: minimizing light pollution, preserving the visibility of stars and constellations, conserving energy, and maintaining the community's rural aesthetic while ensuring safety and security.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Most Critical Requirements:

• Preferred Light Source: Low-pressure Sodium (LPS) lamps are preferred throughout town
• Total Light Output: Limited to 100,000 lumens per net acre (excluding street lights)
• Unshielded Limits: Maximum 5,500 lumens per net acre from unshielded fixtures
• Residential Allowances:
• Single-family/duplex: Up to 4,720 lumens exempt from shielding
• Townhouses/multi-family: Limited to 2,360 unshielded lumens per unit
• Prohibited: Mercury vapor fixtures, floodlighting above horizontal plane, searchlights
• Service Station Canopies: Cannot exceed 40 lumens per square foot

General Outdoor Lighting Principles

Minimizing Light Pollution

Chino Valley's regulations specifically target light pollution through several key provisions:

• Outdoor floodlighting by flood light projection above the horizontal plane is prohibited
• All light fixtures that require shielding must be installed with effective shielding
• Fixtures must be located, aimed, or shielded to minimize light trespassing across property boundaries
• Mercury vapor light fixtures are prohibited for outdoor lighting

Acceptable Light Sources and Shielding Requirements

The town has established clear standards for different lamp types:

• Low Pressure Sodium: Partially shielded, no filtering required
• High Pressure Sodium: Fully shielded, no filtering required
• Metal Halide: Fully shielded, filtering required
• Fluorescent: Fully shielded, filtering required
• Quartz: Fully shielded, no filtering required
• Incandescent (100W or greater): Fully shielded, no filtering required
• Incandescent (less than 100W): No shielding or filtering required

Light Trespass and Nuisance Provisions

The regulations specifically address light that affects neighboring properties:

• It is unlawful and considered a public nuisance to cause artificial illumination of such intensity that it substantially interferes with the use and enjoyment of public or private property
• In the BP (Business Park) district, any activity producing glare must be carried out so that the glare is not perceptible beyond residential or commercial district boundaries

Residential Lighting Allowances

Single-Family and Duplex Properties

Residents of single-family homes and duplexes have specific allowances:

• Up to 4,720 lumens per dwelling unit are exempt from the shielding requirements
• These fixtures must still conform to all other applicable restrictions
• No home occupation shall emit glare beyond any boundary of the lot

Multi-Family and Attached Housing

Different standards apply to attached housing units:

• Single-family attached units (townhouses) are limited to 2,360 lumens of unshielded lights per unit
• Multiple-family residential units also have a 2,360 lumen limit for unshielded fixtures

Commercial and Business Lighting

Service Station Requirements

Service stations have specific lighting requirements:

• All luminaries under canopies must be fully shielded with flat glass or plastic covers
• Total light output for service station canopies cannot exceed 40 lumens per square foot
• This includes all under-canopy lighting and auxiliary lighting within signage or panels over pumps

Business Park District Considerations

For businesses in the BP (Business Park) district:

• Any activity producing glare must be conducted so that glare is not perceptible beyond district boundaries
• Detailed plans for elimination of glare may be required before building permit issuance
• Light poles should be located in landscaped areas
• Concrete light pole bases should be painted to match building colors or parking screen walls

Loading Areas

For commercial loading areas:

• Must be illuminated
• Lighting must be deflected away from abutting residential sites to prevent glare

Sign Illumination Standards

Regulations for Illuminated Signs

All illuminated signs must comply with specific requirements:

• Must conform to Section 4.24 Outdoor Lighting requirements
• Internally illuminated advertising signs require either:
• Opaque background with translucent letters and symbols, OR
• Colored background (not white, cream, off-white, or yellow) with lighter letters

Operating Hours for Lighted Signs

• Internally illuminated advertising signs must be turned off at 11:00 p.m. or when the business closes, whichever is later
• Signs that flash, rotate, or have intermittent illumination are prohibited

Zoning Considerations

Different zones have different allowances:

• For SR-.16, SR-1, SR-1.6, SR-2.5 and AR-36, AR-5, AR-4 zoning districts: No back light illumination permitted for wall signs
• For MR-1, MHP-4 Uses by Right zoning districts: Wall signs may be illuminated

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Festival Lighting Specifications

When festivals occur during hours of darkness or allow attendees to remain after dark:

• Illumination is required for all occupied areas
• The Parks and Recreation Director must approve the lighting plan
• Required lighting levels:
• Open areas for spectators: 5-10 foot candles
• Stage area: 75-100 foot candles
• Parking and overnight areas: 1-5 foot candles
• Restroom and concession areas: 20-50 foot candles

Recreational Facilities

Outdoor recreational facilities have specific allowances:

• Not subject to the lumens per net acre limit
• Cannot be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. except to conclude events in progress
• Tennis, volleyball, racquetball, handball courts, and swimming pools must use fully shielded luminaries
• Partially shielded luminaries permitted for baseball, softball, and football when full shielding would interfere with the activity

What Property Owners Should Know

New Construction and Renovations

The lighting regulations apply differently based on the scope of your project:

• New buildings or 25%+ additions: Must meet requirements for the entire property
• Additions less than 25%: Only new outdoor lighting must comply
• Change of use requiring 25%+ more parking: All outdoor lighting must comply
• Change of use requiring less than 25% more parking: Only new lighting must comply

Applying for Permits

When applying for permits that involve outdoor lighting, you'll need to submit:

• A site plan showing the proposed location of all outdoor lighting fixtures and signs
• A photometric analysis of the proposed lighting
• Descriptions of each illuminating device, fixture, lamp, support, and shield
• Manufacturers' catalog cuts and drawings
• Photometric data showing the angle of cut off of light emissions

Temporary Lighting Options

Temporary lighting permits may be available when:

• The purpose for the lighting will not extend beyond 30 days
• The lighting is designed to minimize light pollution and trespass
• The lighting complies with the general intent of the ordinance

Supporting Chino Valley's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting understands and appreciates Chino Valley's commitment to preserving its rural character and dark sky heritage. As a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we share your community's dedication to balancing safety and functionality with environmental stewardship.

Our experience working with communities throughout Arizona has given us insight into the unique challenges of desert environments, where proper lighting must serve multiple purposes: providing security, enhancing aesthetics, and preserving the spectacular night sky views that make the high desert so special.

Bock Lighting is committed to helping Chino Valley residents and businesses navigate lighting regulations through education and resources. We understand the importance of low-pressure sodium lighting in minimizing sky glow while providing effective illumination, and we appreciate the careful balance Chino Valley has struck between development needs and preservation of its rural character.

As a resource for your community, we're dedicated to supporting solutions that respect Chino Valley's lighting vision while meeting practical needs for safety and visibility.

Conclusion

Chino Valley's lighting regulations reflect its values as a community that treasures its rural heritage and natural environment. By emphasizing low-pressure sodium lighting, requiring appropriate shielding, and setting reasonable limits on light output, these regulations help preserve the ability to see the stars while ensuring adequate lighting for safety and security.

Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or developer, understanding these lighting requirements is essential to contributing to Chino Valley's vision of responsible growth that maintains the town's unique character and quality of life.

By working together to implement these thoughtful lighting practices, residents and businesses help preserve one of Chino Valley's most precious natural resources—its dark, star-filled night sky.