Lighting Regulations in Sierra Vista, Arizona: Preserving Dark Skies in the Mountain View City

Introduction

Sierra Vista, Arizona—whose name aptly means "Mountain View" in Spanish—has developed a thoughtful approach to outdoor lighting that balances safety, functionality, and environmental stewardship. Incorporated in 1956 and growing alongside the historic Fort Huachuca, this gateway to the Huachuca Mountains and San Pedro River Valley has implemented lighting regulations that protect one of its most precious natural resources: its dark night sky.

The city's approach to lighting reflects its commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the region while accommodating modern development needs. As a community nestled between mountains and desert landscapes, Sierra Vista's lighting regulations aim to minimize light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security.

Quick Reference Guide

Key lighting requirements in Sierra Vista include:

• Full shielding required for all exterior light fixtures
• Maximum 3,000K color temperature for LED lighting
• Lighting curfew of 10:00 p.m. to sunrise for non-essential lighting
• Lumen cap limits based on property location and lamp type
• No white backgrounds allowed for internally illuminated signs
• 100 nits maximum for sign brightness from sunset to sunrise
• Light trespass onto neighboring properties is prohibited
• Upward-directed lighting is generally prohibited

Outdoor Light Control Overview

Sierra Vista's lighting regulations are primarily contained in Article 151.11 of the Development Code, titled "Outdoor Light Control." These provisions aim to:

• Encourage good lighting practices
• Conserve energy
• Improve nighttime safety and security
• Minimize light pollution effects like sky-glow, glare, and light trespass

When Do These Regulations Apply?

The lighting regulations apply to:

• All new development
• Portions of additions to existing commercial, industrial, or multi-family developments requiring commercial site plan review

Existing outdoor lighting fixtures installed before the effective date are considered "legal non-conforming," but modifications or replacements must conform to current regulations.

Types of Lighting Areas

Sierra Vista divides properties into two lighting areas:

Area 1:

• Commercial and industrial zoned properties
• Multi-family developments requiring commercial site plan review
• Properties adjacent to any residential zone district or use

Area 2:

• All other commercial and industrial zoned properties
• Multi-family developments requiring commercial site plan review not adjacent to residential zones

Technical Requirements for Property Owners

Shielding and Light Direction

• All exterior light fixtures must be fully shielded and maintained to retain fully shielded characteristics
• Building interior lighting causing outdoor glare must be screened
• Light trespass and glare onto adjoining properties must be minimized
• Additional "house-side shielding" may be required for properties adjacent to residential zones
• All upward-directed lighting is prohibited (with limited exceptions)

Height Restrictions

• Maximum height of lighting fixtures (including base) cannot exceed the allowable height in the applicable zone district
• Light fixtures in Multi-Family Residential zones shall not exceed 30 feet
• Wall-mounted fixtures cannot be located above the roofline

Lumen Output Limitations

Maximum lumens per developed acre:

Area 1:

• Low-Pressure Sodium fixtures: 200,000 lumens
• Other light types: 150,000 lumens

Area 2:

• Low-Pressure Sodium fixtures: 250,000 lumens
• Other light types: 200,000 lumens

LED Lighting Specifications

• Must have a maximum Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) of 3,000K
• Must conform to all other lighting requirements in the code
• Applies to both private development and public roadways

Service Station Canopy Lighting

• Light fixtures under canopies must be recessed or fully shielded
• Limited to 60 lumens per square foot of canopy area
• Does not count toward the lumen cap levels

Lighting Curfews and Hours of Operation

Sierra Vista's code requires most non-essential lighting to be turned off during nighttime hours:

• Conforming lighting fixtures must be turned off between 10:00 p.m. (or when business activities cease, whichever is later) and sunrise
• This requirement doesn't apply to fixtures used for safety or security purposes
• Sign lighting cannot be used for security lighting purposes
• Building accent lighting must be turned off between 11:00 p.m. (or when business closes, whichever is later) and sunrise
• Existing outdoor recreational facilities with non-conforming illumination cannot be illuminated after 11:00 p.m., except to conclude specific events in progress

Sign Illumination Requirements

Brightness and Background

• Maximum illumination level from sunset to sunrise: 100 nits
• Signs must have photo cell sensors to dim to appropriate light levels
• Internally illuminated signs cannot have white backgrounds
• Vacant tenant identification panels must have completely dark or opaque backgrounds

External Illumination

• Signs may have external illumination if:
• Lights are fully shielded
• Fixtures are aimed directly at the sign

Special Requirements for Different Property Types

Residential Lighting

• Lighting that directly shines onto neighboring properties is prohibited
• Permanently used fixtures must be fully shielded
• Motion sensors are encouraged
• Residential uses with five or more units on a single lot must meet commercial zone lighting standards

Commercial and Industrial Properties

• Must submit detailed lighting plans showing:
• Location and height of all exterior pole-mounted and wall-mounted fixtures
• Legible lighting fixture cutsheets
• Luminaire schedule specifying per-acre lumen count
• Uniformity ratio (not to exceed 4:1 average to minimum)

Parking Lots

• Parking lots used during hours of darkness must be lighted
• Design must provide uniform light with no dark areas
• Pole-mounted lighting less than 13½ feet in height must be protected against vehicular and pedestrian traffic
• Where a parking lot is across from a residential district, a 3-foot-high opaque obstruction must be provided to shield lights

Streetlight Requirements

General Requirements

• Developers are responsible for the design, materials, and installation costs of all streetlighting on public streets within and adjacent to their projects
• City of Sierra Vista pays for ongoing electrical service after activation
• All street light poles must be 30 feet in height (unless otherwise permitted)
• Metal standards are required (wooden standards not permitted)
• All streetlights must be fully shielded

Specific Requirements by Street Type

Arterial Streets:

• 30,000 lumen high pressure sodium lighting
• Placed at all intersections and spaced every 200 to 250 feet
• Lighted on two sides using staggered spacing

Collector Streets:

• 16,000 lumen high pressure sodium lighting
• Placed at all intersections and spaced approximately 200 to 250 feet apart
• Lighted on two sides using staggered spacing (unless unusual conditions exist)

Local Streets:

• 9,500 lumen high pressure sodium lighting
• Placed at all intersections and spaced approximately 250 feet apart
• In residential areas, midblock streetlight poles should be placed within one foot laterally from the divisional property line

Cul-de-sacs:

• Any public street cul-de-sac having a depth of 150 feet or greater must have a streetlight

Supporting Sierra Vista's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares Sierra Vista's commitment to preserving dark skies while ensuring community safety and security. We understand the balance Sierra Vista seeks to maintain between modern development needs and environmental stewardship.

As a manufacturer with experience in communities that value their natural resources, we appreciate Sierra Vista's thoughtful approach to lighting regulation that protects the remarkable views of the night sky above the Huachuca Mountains and San Pedro River Valley. Our expertise aligns with Sierra Vista's goals of reducing light pollution, conserving energy, and maintaining the character of this unique community.

We're committed to serving as an educational resource on lighting regulations and can help property owners understand how to meet both regulatory requirements and their practical lighting needs. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting requirements enables us to support Sierra Vista's vision for responsible outdoor lighting.

Conclusion

Sierra Vista's lighting regulations reflect the community's commitment to preserving its natural night sky while providing adequate lighting for safety and security. By implementing these regulations, the city maintains the unique character that makes it a special place to live and visit.

Property owners should familiarize themselves with these requirements before undertaking any development or renovation projects that involve outdoor lighting. By working together to follow these guidelines, residents and businesses can help preserve Sierra Vista's beautiful night skies for generations to come.

Remember that all outdoor lighting must conform to Article 151.11 of the Development Code, and questions about specific requirements should be directed to the city's planning department.