Site Plan Review - Boulder County Land Use Department Page 24
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24Other Lighting Related Issues
Examples of Down
Environmental and Economic Costs
Lighting Fixtures
Minimizing light pollution saves precious energy resources and reduces energy costs. In
the United States alone, it is estimated that at least $1.5 billion dollars is wasted annually
on the electricity for outdoor lighting that is emitted towards the sky. The production of
this amount of electricity is equivalent to the burning of 6,000,000 tons of coal.
Effect on Wildlife
Lights attract and disorient animals. It can upset their biological patterns, affect their
breeding cycles and deter them from established foraging areas. Trees are also affected;
artificial light can prevent them from adjusting to seasonal variations. Light should be
directed where it is needed.
Outdoor Lighting Requirements
Any outdoor lighting used for the illumination of parking areas, landscaping, residences,
recreation areas, or for any private or public purpose, shall be arranged in a manner to
meet the following conditions:
Lights shall be fully shielded and downlit. The shield must be opaque so that no light
can pass through it.
Neither the direct or reflected light from any light source may create a traffic hazard
to operators of motor vehicles on public roads, and no colored lights may be used in
a way that could be confused or construed as traffic control devices.
No blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or other illuminated device which has a
change in light intensity, brightness, or color, and no lighting which exceeds 12 feet
in height is permitted in any zoning district, except for temporary holiday displays, or
as required by local, state, or federal regulations.
Please note that the lighting requirements in the Niwot Rural Community District
(NRCD) or as adopted through specific Special Use approvals may be more
restrictive. If your property is located in the NRCD or is governed by a Special Use
approval, please refer to the appropriate development plans.
To review the outdoor lighting requirements in its entirety, please see Article 7-1600 of
the Boulder County Land Use Code which can be viewed on-line at:
Getting Exterior Lighting Approved
All new exterior lighting fixtures must be approved before a building permit can be
issued. Lighting plans should clearly indicate where every outdoor fixture is proposed,
including landscape lighting. A depiction of the lighting fixture should be submitted in
the form of a picture or manufacturer’s cut sheet. If the proposed fixture is a recessed
soffit light, please indicate that clearly on the lighting plan.
Lighting fixtures can be purchased that are approved by the International Dark-Sky
Association, although not every Dark-Sky approved fixture meets the Boulder County
lighting requirements. Another option is Dark-Sky approved shields that can be inserted
into compatible lighting fixtures. However, some fixtures with shields may still not meet
the Boulder County exterior lighting code. It is always best to check with Land Use staff
to determine if a proposed fixture can be approved.
Every installed lighting fixture, including those that have shields or have been altered
in any way, must be UL (Underwriter’s Laboratories) listed. In addition, shields or other
components added to the lighting fixture must be UL listed. Please be sure to keep the
manufacturer’s information (box, instructions, etc.) available for the electrical inspection
as it may be needed to confirm the fixture complies with the electrical code.
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Form: P/09 • Rev. 03.26.12 • g:/publications/planning/P09OutdoorLighting.pdf
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Parent category: Life