Lighting Regulations in Elephant Butte, New Mexico: Preserving Dark Skies While Ensuring Safety

Introduction: Elephant Butte's Historical Relationship with Light

Nestled alongside one of New Mexico's largest bodies of water, Elephant Butte has a rich history dating back to the construction of its namesake dam in 1916. This engineering marvel transformed the surrounding arid landscape into a thriving agricultural and recreational area.

The Elephant Butte Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, encompasses over 2,400 acres including dozens of historically significant structures and sites. This blend of natural beauty and historical significance has shaped the community's values around preservation.

Elephant Butte's outdoor lighting ordinance reflects these values—aiming to minimize light pollution that would obscure the magnificent desert night sky while ensuring safety and functionality for residents and visitors.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into details, here's what property owners need to know about Elephant Butte's lighting regulations:

• Shielding Required: All outdoor lighting fixtures producing more than 1600 lumens must be shielded
• Time Restrictions: Many lighting types must be turned off between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise
• Light Trespass: Light extending beyond property lines is prohibited
• Prohibited Lighting: Mercury vapor lamps, searchlights for advertising after 10:00 p.m., and light that causes hazards to motorists
• Compliance Timeline: Existing lighting must be brought into compliance within specified timeframes
• Sign Illumination: Must comply with strict requirements to minimize glare and light pollution

Understanding Shielding Requirements

What Requires Shielding

The cornerstone of Elephant Butte's lighting ordinance is the requirement for proper shielding of light fixtures. Per Section 94.06:

• All outdoor lighting fixtures exceeding 1600 lumens must be shielded
• Shielding must ensure light rays are projected below a horizontal plane
• Light must be emitted at a 45-degree angle or less from the lowest point of the fixture

Exceptions to Shielding Requirements

Not all lighting requires shielding. Exceptions include:

• Lighting fixtures with automatic shutoff devices (like motion detectors)
• Outdoor lighting that is turned off between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise
• Residential fixtures producing 1600 lumens or less

Time Restrictions and Prohibited Lighting

Nighttime Restrictions

To preserve the night sky, Elephant Butte restricts certain lighting during overnight hours:

• Searchlights for advertising purposes are prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise
• Off-site advertising signs cannot be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise
• On-premise signs may remain illuminated while the business is open to the public

Prohibited Lighting Types

The following lighting types are not permitted in Elephant Butte:

• Mercury vapor lamps (prohibited after January 1, 2000)
• Lighting that creates hazards for motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians
• Light that extends beyond property lines causing intrusion to other properties
• Signs with searchlights, strobe lights, or rotating/pulsating/oscillating beacons
• Lighting producing disability glare (defined as greater than 2,500 nits)

Sign Illumination Standards

General Requirements

Signs with illumination must meet these requirements:

• Must comply with the city's outdoor lighting ordinance
• Must be designed to reduce glare
• Cannot direct focused light onto public rights-of-way
• Must be shielded so no light is emitted directly upward
• Must be setback sufficiently to prevent light from infringing on neighboring properties

Electronic Message Signs (CEVMS)

Changeable Electronic Variable Message Signs have additional requirements:

• Must have automatic ambient light dimming mechanisms
• Light levels cannot exceed 0.1 foot-candles at 20 feet from the property line
• No appearance of flashing or sudden bursts of light
• Message transitions should take maximum of one second
• Display time must not cause confusion or distract drivers

Off-Premise Signs

• May not be illuminated by any means

Temporary Signs

• Cannot be illuminated or painted with light-reflecting paint

Exemptions and Special Cases

The following lighting is exempt from some or all requirements:

• Residential fixtures producing 1600 lumens or less
• Full cutoff street lighting installed by federal, state, or municipal entities
• Holiday lighting
• Sports facility lighting prior to 11:00 p.m. (and after if needed to conclude activities)
• Specialized safety lighting such as airport runway lighting
• Emergency lighting and hazard warnings

Compliance Timelines and Grandfathering

Existing Lighting

• Generally exempt from immediate compliance
• Replacement fixtures must be fully compliant
• Adjustable lighting must be brought into compliance within 90 days

Special Circumstances Requiring Compliance

Grandfathering exceptions do not apply when:

• A property ceases operations or is unoccupied for more than 12 months
• $25,000 or more is spent on renovations or remodeling
• These situations require full compliance before reoccupation

Long-Term Compliance Deadlines

• All existing outdoor lighting fixtures must be brought into compliance within ten years of the effective date (by September 17, 2013)
• Outdoor advertising structures must comply within three years of adoption
• If amendments to the ordinance make previously legal fixtures non-compliant, compliance is required within two years

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning for New Construction

When designing lighting for new construction or renovations:

• Include lighting details in your site plan submissions
• Ensure lighting illuminates access ways and walkways for safe movement
• Consider using decorative lighting as part of landscaping requirements
• Remember that all illuminated signs require approval by the Land Use Administrator

Making Smart Lighting Choices

To ensure compliance:

• Choose fixtures under 1600 lumens for residential applications when possible
• Install timers or motion sensors to automatically turn off lights after 10:00 p.m.
• Select fully shielded fixtures for any high-lumen applications
• Position lights carefully to prevent light trespass onto neighboring properties

Supporting Elephant Butte's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting understands the unique balance that communities like Elephant Butte must maintain between modern lighting needs and preservation of natural resources. With roots dating back to 1918, we appreciate the importance of preserving historical character while embracing functional technology.

Elephant Butte's commitment to dark sky preservation reflects the community's values around its natural environment and historic significance. Our lighting professionals can serve as a resource for property owners navigating these regulations, helping to identify solutions that respect both safety requirements and the community's vision.

We understand the regional architectural styles and environmental concerns of southwestern communities, and our experience with similar projects can help maintain the character that makes Elephant Butte special. Our focus is on sustainable and responsible lighting practices that align with your community's vision for preservation.

Conclusion

Elephant Butte's lighting regulations represent a thoughtful approach to balancing modern needs with preservation of the community's natural and historical resources. By limiting light pollution, the ordinance helps maintain the stunning night skies that have been visible over this landscape for centuries.

Property owners who understand and follow these regulations not only avoid potential penalties but also contribute to maintaining the character and beauty that makes Elephant Butte unique. The careful approach to lighting helps preserve both the historic district and the natural environment that draws residents and visitors alike.

By working together to implement these standards, the community ensures that future generations will continue to enjoy both the safety benefits of proper lighting and the awe-inspiring night skies above Elephant Butte.