Lighting Regulations in Eloy, Arizona: Preserving Dark Skies in a Growing Desert Community

Introduction

Nestled in the Arizona desert, Eloy has undergone significant transformation since its establishment as a railroad town in the late 1800s. Originally named for "East Line of Yuma," this community grew from its railroad and agricultural roots into a diverse municipality with expanding transportation, manufacturing, and logistics sectors.

The construction of Interstate 10 in 1965 dramatically altered Eloy's landscape, diverting traffic from the town center and forever changing its development patterns. As Eloy continues to grow and diversify, city planners have implemented comprehensive lighting regulations that balance modern development needs with preservation of the area's natural dark skies.

Eloy's lighting regulations reflect a community that values both growth and preservation of its rural character. These standards aim to reduce excessive light intensity, prevent light trespass, and maintain the naturally dark night skies that are characteristic of desert communities.

Quick Reference Guide

Key lighting requirements in Eloy:

• Maximum Color Temperature: 3000K for all light sources (lower encouraged)
• Shielding: Fully shielded fixtures required for most outdoor lighting
• Curfew: Commercial lighting must be extinguished by 10:00 PM or within one hour after business closes
• Light Output Limits:
• Single-Family Residential: 10,000 lumens per parcel total (4,000 unshielded)
• Multi-Family: 50,000 lumens per parcel total (5,000 unshielded)
• Commercial/Industrial: 100,000 lumens per net acre total (10,000 unshielded)
• Mounting Height Restrictions:
• Residential: Maximum 8 feet on building walls
• Commercial: Maximum 20 feet from finished grade
• Parking lots: Varies by zone (12-20 feet)

Purpose of Eloy's Lighting Regulations

Balancing Growth with Night Sky Preservation

Eloy's lighting ordinances (found in section 21-4-5 of the city code) serve multiple important purposes. They aim to:

• Minimize light trespass and pollution
• Reduce glare and conserve energy
• Preserve the low light levels characteristic of rural lifestyles
• Allow only necessary lighting for safety, security, and property enjoyment

From Agricultural Town to Growing Community

Given Eloy's agricultural heritage and ongoing development, these regulations help maintain the character of the area while accommodating growth. Light pollution can disrupt both wildlife and human sleep patterns, and excessive lighting contradicts the natural dark sky environment of desert communities.

Technical Requirements for Different Property Types

Residential Lighting Requirements

For homeowners in Eloy, lighting regulations focus on minimizing impact while providing necessary illumination:

• Mounting Height: Exterior fixtures on building walls must not exceed 8 feet above finished grade
• Shielding: Fixtures must be shielded to avoid creating "hot spots" on structures
• Light Trespass: Lighting must not create conditions of light trespass on adjacent properties
• Direction: All fixtures must be directed downward and fully shielded
• Light Output: Limited to 1,000 lumens per fixture unless fully shielded

Multi-Family Property Requirements

Properties with four or more rental housing units have specific requirements:

• Common Areas: All common areas, walkways and sidewalks must have specific lighting during nighttime hours
• Building Entrances: Main building entrances must be properly illuminated
• Parking Areas: Common parking lots require adequate nighttime lighting
• Poles: Maximum height of 12 feet for lighting standards within parking areas

Commercial and Industrial Lighting

Businesses face more extensive requirements:

• Color Temperature: Maximum 3000K CCT (correlated color temperature)
• Curfew: Lighting must be extinguished by 10:00 PM or within one hour after close of business
• Wall Packs: Unshielded wall pack luminaires are prohibited
• Mounting Height: Exterior fixtures cannot exceed 20 feet from finished grade
• Parking Lot Poles: Maximum 20 feet in interior areas, 16 feet at perimeter (reduced to 16 feet interior/12 feet perimeter when adjacent to residential zones)

Special Applications

Recreational Lighting

Lighting for outdoor recreational fields, courts, pools, and athletic facilities:

• Must follow IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) specifications
• Must be extinguished within one hour of the end of play or by 10:00 PM (whichever is later)
• Requires proper shielding to limit skyglow and light trespass

Security Lighting

Security lighting has specific requirements:

• In residential zones, security lighting must be controlled by timers (maximum 10 minutes)
• Limited to 750 lumens per lamp in residential areas
• Motion sensor/detector fixtures are preferred for security applications
• Building-mounted fixtures cannot exceed 10 feet mounting height in residential zones

Signage Lighting

For illuminated signs:

• External sign lighting must be internally lit within a cabinet or mounted on top of the sign
• All fixtures must be fully shielded and directed downward
• Light sources (except neon) must not be visible from any street, sidewalk, or adjacent property
• Electronic Message Center signs must have automatic dimming controls
• EMC signs must have minimum 8-second interval time between image progression

Prohibited Lighting Types

Eloy prohibits several types of lighting:

• Mercury vapor lamps (use of existing fixtures prohibited after January 1, 2011)
• Metal halide or quartz halogen lamps, light sources or fixtures
• Laser light sources for outdoor advertising or entertainment
• Searchlights (except for emergency conditions)
• Unshielded wall packs in any application
• Dusk to dawn lights
• Building-mounted floodlights used for area lighting (unless fully shielded and downward-directed)
• Unshielded floodlights for landscaping

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning a New Installation

When planning to install outdoor lighting:

• Submit lighting plans along with other required site plans when applying for building permits
• Plans must be prepared by a technically competent lighting professional
• Include details on fixture locations, heights, types, aiming angles, and hours of operation
• For commercial properties, include a photometric analysis with lumens/foot-candle grid

Existing Non-Conforming Lighting

If you have lighting that was legally installed before July 23, 2018:

• Non-conforming lighting is allowed to remain temporarily
• Must be brought into conformance within 7 years from July 23, 2018
• If discontinued for 6 months or damaged requiring repairs, replacements must comply with current code
• Upon receiving a registered written complaint, non-conforming lighting must be brought into immediate compliance

When Modifications Trigger Compliance

Different levels of property changes may trigger compliance requirements:

• Major Additions: Modification or replacement of 25% or more of permitted lumens requires full compliance
• Change of Use: Intensifying property use by 25% or more requires bringing all outdoor lighting into compliance
• Minor Modifications: New fixtures must meet requirements, but total light output can remain the same

Supporting Eloy's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the balance Eloy seeks between growth and preservation of its desert character. As a manufacturer with deep appreciation for regional architectural styles, we recognize how the right lighting helps communities maintain their distinctive identity.

We share Eloy's commitment to responsible lighting practices that reduce light pollution while providing necessary illumination for safety and security. Communities like Eloy benefit from thoughtfully designed lighting that respects both the natural environment and human needs.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations, helping them understand how to achieve compliance while enhancing their properties. Our expertise in community-sensitive lighting solutions aligns with Eloy's vision of preserving its rural character while accommodating growth.

Conclusion

Eloy's comprehensive lighting regulations reflect a community that values both development and preservation of its rural desert character. By establishing clear standards for lighting types, placement, shielding, and timing, the city works to prevent light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security.

Property owners planning lighting installations should consult the full text of section 21-4-5 of the Eloy city code and work with qualified professionals to ensure compliance. With proper planning, it's possible to create effective, attractive lighting that meets both regulatory requirements and practical needs.

By working together to implement responsible lighting practices, Eloy residents and businesses can preserve the naturally dark skies that make desert communities special while supporting the city's continued growth and development.