Lighting Regulations in Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona: Preserving Dark Skies in Mining Country

Introduction: A Town That Values Its Night Sky

Nestled in the hills of central Arizona, Dewey-Humboldt carries a rich historical legacy dating back to its roots in mining and agriculture. Officially incorporated in 2004, the town was formed from two distinct communities – Dewey, known for agriculture and ranching, and Humboldt, which grew around mining operations, particularly the Iron King Mine established in the late 1800s.

This small community places tremendous value on preserving its rural character and natural beauty. The town's approach to lighting regulations reflects this commitment, aiming to minimize light pollution and maintain the area's traditional ambiance while ensuring safety and functionality.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Before diving into detailed regulations, here are the key requirements you need to know:

• Preferred Light Source: Low-pressure sodium (LPS) lamps
• Maximum Commercial Lighting: 100,000 lumens per net acre
• Residential Lighting Limits:
• Properties over 1 acre: 20,000 lumens
• Properties 0.5-1 acre: 10,000 lumens
• Properties under 0.5 acre: 7,500 lumens
• Lighting Curfew: Most exterior lighting must be turned off by 10:00 p.m.
• Shielding Requirements: Full shielding required for lamps above 2,050 lumens
• Maximum Pole Height: 18 feet for parking lot lighting
• Permits Required: Building or electrical permits needed for outdoor lighting installation

Understanding Dewey-Humboldt's Light Pollution Control

The Why Behind the Regulations

Dewey-Humboldt's lighting ordinance aims to "minimize light pollution, glare, light trespass, and conserve energy while maintaining nighttime safety, utility, security and productivity." These regulations help preserve the town's rural character and protect the visibility of the night sky that early residents would have experienced during the mining era.

Classification of Lighting

The town organizes lighting into three distinct classes:

• Class 1 Lighting: Used for outdoor sales/eating areas, assembly areas, recreational facilities, and signage where color rendition is important
• Class 2 Lighting: Used for walkways, roadways, and equipment yards
• Class 3 Lighting: Decorative lighting with special restrictions

Light Source Preferences

Dewey-Humboldt strongly prefers low-pressure sodium (LPS) lamps as the illumination source. Businesses using at least 80% LPS for Class 1 lighting can apply for a 10% increase in allowed lumens per acre. For Class 2 lighting, LPS lamps are required, with up to 10% allowance for non-LPS light.

Prohibition of Certain Lighting Types

The town specifically prohibits:

• Mercury vapor light fixtures (banned since July 1, 2005)
• Searchlights, laser source lights, strobes, or flashing lights
• Floodlighting projected above the horizontal plane
• Dusk to dawn controls for unshielded lighting in residential areas

Residential Lighting Requirements

Lumen Allowances

The maximum allowed lumens for residential properties varies by property size:

• Properties over 1 acre: 20,000 lumens
• Properties 0.5-1 acre: 10,000 lumens
• Properties under 0.5 acre: 7,500 lumens

Required Shielding

Fully shielded fixtures are required for all residential lamps. However, motion sensing security lights are exempted from lumen limits and can be temporarily set to "constant on" for recreational activities like barbecues or parties.

Residential Lighting Curfew

Outside unshielded lighting must be extinguished after 10:00 p.m. and remain off until daylight. Motion-sensing security lighting is exempt from this restriction.

Residential Exemptions

The following are exempt from total lumen count:

• Low lumen decorative lighting for holidays
• Permanent low lumen landscape lighting (180 lumens or less per bulb)
• Flag lighting

Commercial Lighting Standards

Total Light Output Limitations

Commercial developments must limit total outdoor light output to 100,000 lumens per net acre, averaged over the entire property. Of this total, no more than 5,500 lumens per net acre may be used in unshielded fixtures.

Parking Lot Lighting

Lighting poles in parking lots cannot exceed 18 feet above adjacent grade unless otherwise stipulated. All commercial light fixtures must be shielded and installed so that direct illumination does not leave the property boundaries.

Service Station Canopy Lighting

For service stations or similar canopies:

• Lighting is considered Class 1 lighting
• All luminaries must be flush with the lower surface of canopies
• They must utilize flat glass or plastic covers
• Total light output shall not exceed 60 lumens per square foot of canopy

Outdoor Display Lots

Lighting for outdoor display lots:

• Is considered Class 1 lighting (color rendition)
• Must use fully shielded luminaries
• Must limit off-site spill to a maximum of 0.5 fc at any nonresidential property and 0.05 fc at any residential property
• Must be turned off at 10:00 p.m. or within 30 minutes after business closing

Sign Lighting Regulations

Externally Illuminated Signs

• Must conform to all restrictions of the lighting ordinance
• Must be fully shielded
• Must be turned off at 10:00 p.m. or when business closes (whichever is later)
• Is included in the total outdoor output limit

Internally Illuminated Signs

• Must be constructed with either:
• An opaque background and translucent letters/symbols, OR
• A colored translucent background (not white, cream, off-white, yellow or other light color)
• Lamps used for internal illumination are not included in the lumens per net acre limit
• All illuminated signs must be turned off at 10:00 p.m. or when business closes

Sports Field and Recreational Lighting

Shielding Requirements

Fully shielded lighting is required for fields designed for amateur, recreational, or non-professional sports activity. Professional sports facilities have alternative standards for minimizing light trespass.

Lighting Curfew for Sports Facilities

Illumination of playing fields, courts, tracks, or ranges is permitted after 10:00 p.m. only to conclude a scheduled event that was unable to conclude before 10:00 p.m. due to unusual circumstances.

Off-site Light Control

Sports lighting installations must limit off-site spill to a maximum of 0.5 fc at any nonresidential property, and 0.05 fc at any residential property.

Permit Requirements and Compliance

Application Process

A building or electrical permit is required for outdoor lighting installation. Applications must include:

• A site plan showing the proposed location of all outdoor lighting fixtures
• Description of each illuminating device, fixture, lamp, support, and shield
• Manufacturer's catalog cuts and drawings
• Lamp types and lumen outputs

Certification Requirements

Every lighting system shall be certified by an Arizona registered engineer, other certified lighting specialist, or equivalent manufacturer documentation as conforming to all applicable restrictions.

Temporary Lighting Permits

The Zoning Administrator may grant permits for temporary lighting that:

• Will not extend beyond 30 days
• Is designed to minimize light pollution
• Complies with the general intent of the lighting ordinance
• Serves the public interest

Supporting Dewey-Humboldt's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands and appreciates communities like Dewey-Humboldt that work to preserve their unique character through thoughtful lighting regulations.

We share Dewey-Humboldt's commitment to balancing modern lighting needs with preservation of dark skies and historical ambiance. Our experience with historic communities has given us insight into how lighting can enhance rather than detract from a town's distinctive character.

As communities across America embrace dark sky initiatives, we're proud to serve as an educational resource on compliant lighting options that respect both regulations and community aesthetics. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs helps property owners navigate the sometimes complex world of lighting regulations.

Bock Lighting stands ready to support communities like Dewey-Humboldt in maintaining their vision for appropriate, responsible lighting that honors both their past and their future.

Conclusion

Dewey-Humboldt's lighting regulations reflect the town's dedication to preserving its rural character and dark skies while ensuring adequate lighting for safety and functionality. By specifying preferred light sources, limiting light output, requiring shielding, and implementing curfews, the town maintains control over light pollution that might otherwise diminish its unique qualities.

Property owners should carefully review these requirements before installing new lighting systems and consult with professionals familiar with dark sky-compliant lighting when planning projects. By following these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to maintaining Dewey-Humboldt's distinctive character and beautiful night skies for future generations.