Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: IRMA HUITRON, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
D ATE: AUGUST 26, 2025
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING COLOR TEMPERATURE LIMIT (3000 K) ON RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL PRIVATE PROPERTY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At its May 13, 2025 meeting, the City Council requested that staff outline steps for limiting outdoor lighting on private residential and commercial properties to a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3000 Kelvin (K). This report provides an overview of existing municipal code provisions and outlines possible next steps if the City Council wishes to pursue such regulations.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Discuss the concept of limiting outdoor lighting color temperature on private residential and commercial properties to no more than 3000 Kelvin (K), and provide direction to staff on whether to initiate a Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) to develop standards to implement such a limit.
BACKGROUND
The City of Downey regulates outdoor lighting through several provisions in Downey Municipal Code Section 9520.06 (DMC), including standards for fixture height, wattage limits, shielding, and spillover control. Although, the DMC does not currently establish limits on the color temperature of outdoor lighting, it does include requirements to minimize glare and prevent spillover beyond the intended lighting area. Examples of existing requirements include:
•General Requirement (DMC 9520.06(a)(j): Non-residential properties must provide outdoor lighting for walkways, parking areas, driveways, and storage or waste enclosures. The code specifies that all drive-in businesses are required to comply with outdoor lighting standards.
•Commercial/Industrial Zones (DMC 9520.06(b)): Guest parking areas require low-level lighting designed to prevent spillover onto streets or adjoining properties.
POTENTIAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING COLOR TEMPERATURE LIMIT (3000 K) ON RESIDENTIAL AND
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AUGUST 26, 2025
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• Fixture Standards (DMC 9520.06(c)(e)(f): All lighting must be decorative, shielded, and directed away from adjacent uses; exposed bulbs are not permitted (Figures 1 and 2).
• Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3-O) (DMC 9520.06 (d)): Outdoor lighting is limited to a maximum height of 8 feet and 300 watts, except for building-mounted fixtures.
• Residential Adjacencies (DMC 9520.06g)(h)): Where non-residential uses abut residential zones, lighting is limited in height and placement relative to walls, fences, and property lines.
• Right-of-Way Proximity DMC 9520.06(i): In non-residential zones, lighting over 5 feet in height is prohibited within 20 feet of the public right-of-way, except auto dealerships may use fixtures up to 12 feet tall if spaced and set back as required.
• Exemptions (9520.06(k)(1)-(8): The DMC exempts traffic signals, right-of-way and vehicle lights, emergency and navigation lighting required by law, seasonal decorations provided that they do not have brightness of more than 0.1 foot- candle at the property line on which they are installed, lighting associated with an approved temporary event and signs regulated by a separate section of the DMC.
Lighting Impacts
The following table summarizes three key lighting concepts: Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), lumens, and wattage, which are often used in lighting regulations.
While related, each term measures a different property of light. CCT describes the color appearance, lumens measure brightness, and wattage reflects energy consumption.
Understanding the distinction is important when evaluating potential updates to the City’s lighting standards.
Figure 1 – Lighting Spillover Figure 2 – Lighting Shielding
POTENTIAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING COLOR TEMPERATURE LIMIT (3000 K) ON RESIDENTIAL AND
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AUGUST 26, 2025
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Table 1 - Summary of Key Lighting Terms
Term Unit of
Measure What It Describes Example
Correlated Color
Temperature (CCT) Kelvin (K)
The appearance of light
color (warm yellow vs. cool
blue)
2700K = warm, soft light; 5000K
= cool, daylight-like light
Lumens Lumens
(lm)
The amount of visible light
produced (brightness)
800 lumens = typical 60W
incandescent bulb
Wattage Watts (W) The energy consumed by
the fixture
LED = 9W for 800 lumens;
Incandescent = 60W for same
lumens
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and describes the appearance of light emitted by a source. Lower color temperatures (2700–3000 K) produce warmer, yellowish light, while higher color temperatures (4000 K and above) produce cooler, bluish light.
Industry guidelines and peer-reviewed studies note that higher-K lighting can increase glare, contribute to light pollution, and disrupt human and wildlife circadian rhythms.
Excessive nighttime lighting can alter local wildlife behavior by disrupting feeding, migration, reproduction, and other natural activity patterns, particularly for birds, bats, and other species that inhabit or travel through the city parks, green spaces, and river corridors.
Similarly, excessive nighttime lighting can disrupt human circadian rhythms, contributing to sleep disturbances, reduced alertness, and other health concerns associated with prolonged exposure to artificial light at night. Studies have shown that even low levels of light at night can affect circadian rhythms, potentially impacting sleep quality and overall health, with more pronounced effects in sensitive populations such as children, older adults, and shift workers.
Local Ordinances and Guidelines
California does not have a statewide standard for outdoor lighting color temperature.
However, some cities elect to adopt local land use and development standards, including lighting specifications, provided they are consistent with the State’s building and electrical codes. Some local jurisdictions have adopted ordinances or outdoor lighting guidelines to limit outdoor lighting color temperature to reduce light pollution, protect wildlife, and improve nighttime visibility.
Cities that have adopted lighting color temperature limitations (CCT) are:
• Rancho Palos Verdes – limit equal to or less than 4,000 K • Lakewood – limits equal to or lower than 4,000 K
• Malibu – “Dark Sky” ordinance limits fixtures exceeding 3000 K; requires dimming.
POTENTIAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING COLOR TEMPERATURE LIMIT (3000 K) ON RESIDENTIAL AND
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• City of Los Angeles - shielding and downward direction required; no numeric CCT limit
City Council Request
At its May 13, 2025 meeting, the City Council requested that staff examine the feasibility of limiting the color temperature of outdoor lighting on private residential and commercial properties to no more than 3000 K. If pursued, such a regulation would need to be consistent with the following provisions of the Downey Municipal Code and potentially other relevant regulations:
o Section 9520.06 – Outdoor Lighting
o Section 9316.08 – Mixed-Use Zone Performance Standards (Lighting) o Section 9516 – Environmental Protection Standards
o Downey Administrative Building and Housing Code (Electric Code reference)
ANALYSIS
If the City Council wishes to continue exploring this concept, staff would:
1. Review Applicable Code Sections
• Analyze DMC 9520.06 and related sections to identify potential amendments or cross-references.
• Ensure consistency with state building and electrical codes.
2. Define Scope
• Identify the types of lights to be covered (building-mounted, landscape, parking lot, etc.).
• Determine whether any regulation would apply only to new installations or also to existing fixtures with a compliance period.
3. Develop Conceptual Language for Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) • Consider exemptions such as emergency lighting, temporary or seasonal decorative lighting, etc.
4. Conduct Outreach
• Notification/Public Notice to affected residents and business owners.
5. Environmental Review
• Conduct a review per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
If, after discussion, the City Council directs staff to proceed with preparing a ZTA, staff will conduct the necessary research and prepare its findings for review by the Planning Commission. The Commission’s recommendation will then be forwarded to the City Council for final consideration.
POTENTIAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING COLOR TEMPERATURE LIMIT (3000 K) ON RESIDENTIAL AND
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AUGUST 26, 2025
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Additionally, staff would evaluate any recommended CCT to take into consideration public safety considerations. A 3000 K limit is commonly used to reduce glare and blue rich light at night. As part of its research, Staff would evaluate any benefits associated with higher color temperatures (i.e. 3500 to 5000 K) to determine if it would improve “true color” visibility for people and security cameras. It should be noted that visibility often depends on brightness, shielding, optics, and color rendering, not color temperature alone. When brightness, shielding, optics and color rendering are specified appropriately, lighting at a range of color temperatures can be specified to meet safety objectives.
Timeline
The following outlines the anticipated timeline and preparation costs for the ZTA. Based on the Community Development Department’s 2025–2026 work plan, staff anticipates initiating the preparation of the ZTA in July 2026. Once initiated, the project is expected to be completed within six (6) months, as outlined below:
Phase Tasks & Deliverables Responsible Estimated
Completion
1. Initiation
Confirm Council direction;
assign lead staff and
subject matter expert team
Community Development /
Planning Division August 2025
2. Code Research
Review relevant municipal
and building codes for
consistency
Community Development Month 1
3. Scope &
Analysis
Define lighting types;
determine applicability;
outline enforcement
Planning / Code
Enforcement / Building Month 2
4. Concept
Development
Draft code language;
assess CEQA applicability
Community Development /
Planning Division Month 3
5. Outreach
Conduct stakeholder
meetings; refine draft as
needed
Community Development /
Planning Division Months 3–4
6. Planning
Commission
Present findings; receive
recommendations
Community Development /
Planning Division /
Planning Commission
Month 5
7. City Council
Receive Commission
recommendations; consider
ordinance adoption
City Council Month 6
Estimated Cost
The estimated cost to prepare the ordinance and conduct related research is approximately $15,000 based on consultant staffing rates.
POTENTIAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING COLOR TEMPERATURE LIMIT (3000 K) ON RESIDENTIAL AND
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ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Based on Staff’s review it has been determined that this report is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not have a significant effect on the environment.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the recommendation action.
ATTACHMENTS
None