Lighting Regulations in La Mirada, California: Balancing Safety, Security, and Community Aesthetics

Introduction

La Mirada—whose Spanish name translates to "The View"—has a rich history dating back to when Andrew McNally, founder of Rand McNally Publishing Company, purchased nearly 2,300 acres of rangeland in the late 1800s. Officially incorporated in 1960, La Mirada has maintained a steadfast commitment to city beautification, well-maintained streetscapes, and preservation of its aesthetic appeal.

The city's lighting regulations reflect this dedication to community character while ensuring safety and security for residents and businesses. Understanding these lighting standards is essential for property owners who wish to maintain compliance while contributing to La Mirada's visual harmony.

Quick Reference Guide

• Outdoor Lighting Shielding: Light must be projected below an imaginary horizontal plane passing through fixtures
• Residential Hours: Outdoor lighting must be motion-detected, off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or properly shielded
• Parking Areas: Require average maintained horizontal illumination of one foot-candle from dusk to closing
• Street Lighting: Must provide between 0.075-0.6 foot candles with average illumination of 0.2 foot candles
• Prohibited Lighting: Uplighted/back-lighted canopies, searchlights (without permits), flashing lights, roof-mounted lights
• Electronic Billboards: Cannot exceed brightness levels of 0.3-foot candles above ambient light

General Outdoor Lighting Standards

Purpose and Core Principles

La Mirada's lighting regulations aim to balance safety and security needs with minimizing light trespass and glare impacts on surrounding properties, particularly residential areas. The standards reflect the city's historical commitment to maintaining its visual character and community aesthetics.

Shielding Requirements

All outdoor lighting must be properly shielded. Specifically:

• Light must be projected below an imaginary horizontal plane passing through the fixture
• Where light sources are visible beyond property lines, additional shielding is required to reduce glare
• Shielding must ensure light sources are not visible from within residential dwelling units

Prohibited Lighting Types

The following lighting types are expressly prohibited in La Mirada:

• Uplighted and back-lighted canopies or awnings
• Searchlights (except when authorized by temporary use permit)
• Flashing lights (except when used with security alarm systems)
• Roof-mounted lights
• Any lighting that imitates or causes visual interference with traffic signals or safety/emergency lights

Residential Lighting Standards

Single-Family Residential Requirements

Outdoor lighting on single-family residential properties must meet at least one of these requirements:

• Be motion-activated
• Be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Be directed and shielded to avoid causing a nuisance to neighboring properties

Existing Fixtures

Lighting fixtures legally permitted prior to the current zoning ordinance may be maintained. However, any non-conforming environmental effects (including lighting impacts) must be brought into compliance within two years after becoming non-conforming.

Commercial Property Lighting

Security and Safety Illumination

• Building Entrances/Exits: Must be illuminated during business hours of operation
• Parking Areas and Walkways: Required to have average maintained horizontal illumination of one foot-candle from dusk to closing hours
• Massage Establishments: Each room must have lighting equivalent to a minimum of a 25-watt incandescent clear-glass light bulb

Business-Specific Requirements

• Check Cashing Establishments: Must have a lighting plan approved by the community development director prior to occupancy
• Emergency Shelters: Require adequate external lighting for security purposes, directed away from adjacent properties
• Adult Entertainment Businesses: Parking areas and premises must maintain one foot-candle illumination from dusk to closing

Street Lighting Standards

Illumination Levels

La Mirada has specific technical requirements for street lighting:

• Lighting must provide between 0.075-0.6 foot candles over any portion of the street right-of-way
• Average illumination should be approximately 0.2 foot candle as determined by the superintendent of streets
• Street lighting must include standards with luminaries mounted over the roadway

Design and Installation Considerations

• Street lights must be carefully located to minimize interference with trees and plants
• Utility lines for street lighting must be placed underground
• Lighting specifications must follow standards established by the superintendent of streets

Sign Illumination Regulations

Permitted Illumination

• Signs may be non-illumin