Lighting Regulations in San Bernardino, California: A Property Owner's Guide to Compliance and Safety

Introduction: Balancing History and Modernity

San Bernardino, founded in 1810 by Spanish missionaries and incorporated in 1854, carries a rich architectural and cultural heritage. As one of Southern California's key transportation hubs, the city's development was significantly influenced by the arrival of the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads.

Today, this diverse city of approximately 222,000 residents balances preserving its historical character while addressing modern urban challenges. This balance is reflected in San Bernardino's lighting regulations, which aim to enhance safety and security while respecting the city's architectural heritage and preventing light pollution.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Before diving into specifics, here are the most critical lighting requirements to know in San Bernardino:

• Direction and Shielding: All on-site lighting must be stationary and directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way
• Energy Efficiency: Energy-efficient fixtures are required in most applications
• Illumination Levels:
• Parking areas require minimum 1 foot-candle evenly distributed
• Places of entertainment require minimum 2 foot-candles at ground level
• Building entrances and loading areas may have up to 2 foot-candles
• Maximum Heights:
• General outdoor lighting: maximum 15 feet above finished grade
• Parking deck lighting fixtures: maximum 4 feet in height
• Special Applications: Down-lights are required for many commercial and residential applications

General Property Lighting Standards

Core Requirements

San Bernardino's regulations consistently emphasize several principles across different property types:

• Directional Control: Light must be deflected away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way
• No Excessive Brightness: Lighting should not cause traffic hazards or adversely affect adjoining properties
• Energy Efficiency: All lighting should utilize energy-efficient fixtures
• Architectural Compatibility: Light fixtures and their structural supports should be architecturally compatible with main buildings on-site

Safety and Security Focus

The regulations recognize lighting's critical role in public safety:

• Lighting should provide illumination for security in areas such as parking, loading, shipping and receiving, pathways, and working areas
• All building entrances should be well-lighted
• Adequate lighting must be provided to allow routine inspections, maintenance, and cleaning

Height and Placement Guidelines

Height restrictions ensure lighting remains appropriate to the scale of development:

• Standard Maximum Height: 15 feet above finished grade for general outdoor lighting
• Parking Structures: Deck lighting fixtures cannot exceed 4 feet in height
• Tennis Courts: Light standards should not exceed 18 feet with 4 poles on each side, or 20 feet with 3 poles on each side

Specific Illumination Requirements

Minimum Light Levels

Different areas have specific illumination requirements:

• Entertainment Venues: Minimum 2 foot-candles, evenly distributed at ground level
• Parking Areas: Minimum 1 foot-candle maintained across the surface
• SRO Facilities: Exterior common areas require minimum 2 foot-candles using low-pressure sodium lighting from dusk to dawn
• Interior Hallways: Must be brightly lit with at least 1 foot-candle on floor surfaces
• Massage Facilities: Minimum 40-watt light in each room where services are rendered

Special Use Requirements

• Commercial Properties: All exterior lighting must be limited to down-lights in many commercial zones
• Special Purpose Zones: Exterior lighting must be appropriately located, directed, and shielded from surrounding properties
• Parking Structures: Lighting must be energy-efficient, low-level, and contained to the surface deck

Sign Lighting Regulations

General Sign Illumination Standards

San Bernardino has detailed regulations for sign lighting:

• Shielding Required: Sign illumination must not interfere with adjacent properties or create public safety hazards
• Light Sources: Must be shielded from view and directed only at the sign face
• Energy Efficiency: Light sources must utilize energy-efficient fixtures
• No Flashing: Lights illuminating signs cannot flash, blink, flutter, or appear to be in motion

Digital Signs

Digital signs have specific requirements:

• Brightness Control: The difference between off and solid message measurements cannot exceed 0.3 foot-candles at night
• Automatic Dimming: Must have ambient light sensors to automatically adjust brightness
• Operating Hours: Cannot be turned on between 2:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M.
• Residential Proximity: Digital signs within 500 feet and in direct line of sight of residential zones must be turned off at close of business
• Spacing Requirements: Minimum 200 feet between digital signs when part of monument signs

Temporary Signs

• No Illumination: Temporary signs cannot be illuminated under any circumstances

Street Lighting Requirements

Street lighting systems have specific regulations:

• Permits Required: Construction of street lighting systems requires city permits
• City Ownership: After final approval, street lighting systems become city property
• Developer Responsibility: Subdividers must pay for electrical energy for street lighting for 48 months from the date of acceptance

Special Applications and Uses

Cannabis Cultivation Lighting

Different tax rates apply based on lighting approach:

• $7.00 annually per square foot for facilities using exclusively artificial lighting
• $4.00 annually per square foot for facilities using a combination of natural and supplemental artificial lighting
• $2.00 annually per square foot for facilities using no artificial lighting

Animal Facilities

• Must provide sufficient illumination for routine inspections and maintenance
• Must provide regular diurnal lighting cycles of either natural or artificial light, uniformly diffused throughout the facility

Emergency and Homeless Shelters

• Must provide lighting in all parking, pedestrian, and entry areas
• Lighting must comply with Title 24 of California Code of Regulations

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Considerations

When planning lighting for your property in San Bernardino:

1. Direction is key: Always ensure lighting is directed away from neighboring properties
2. Energy efficiency: Choose fixtures that meet energy-efficiency standards
3. Appropriate height: Check height restrictions for your specific property type
4. Illumination levels: Different areas require different minimum light levels

The Why Behind the Regulations

San Bernardino's lighting regulations reflect the city's journey through history. As a city with both historical significance and modern urban challenges, these regulations aim to:

• Preserve the architectural character of historic areas
• Enhance safety and security in public and private spaces
• Reduce light pollution and energy consumption
• Create a cohesive visual environment that respects neighboring properties

Supporting San Bernardino's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, understands the balance that communities like San Bernardino seek to achieve between preserving historical character and embracing modern technology.

As a manufacturer with experience in diverse architectural styles, Bock Lighting appreciates San Bernardino's commitment to maintaining its unique character while ensuring safety and functionality through appropriate lighting.

Our expertise can help property owners understand and navigate lighting regulations while honoring the city's rich architectural heritage. We believe in sustainable and responsible lighting practices that align with community values and enhance the character of distinctive communities like San Bernardino.

With a focus on education and community support, we strive to be a resource for those seeking to improve their lighting while respecting local regulations and the city's visual landscape.

Conclusion

San Bernardino's lighting regulations reflect a thoughtful approach to balancing safety, functionality, and aesthetic preservation. By directing light away from adjacent properties, requiring energy efficiency, and setting appropriate illumination levels, these regulations help create a cohesive community appearance while reducing light pollution.

For property owners, understanding these requirements is essential to ensure compliance while enhancing the safety, security, and appearance of your property. By working within these guidelines, you contribute to San Bernardino's efforts to honor its rich history while addressing modern urban needs.