6.7   Requirements for Residential Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor residential lighting is sometimes subject to the residential lighting requirements, and sometimes subject to the nonresidential lighting requirements. To help clarify the distinction, Figure 6-10 shows which requirements apply to various types of outdoor lighting for each building type.

Figure 6-10 – Applicability of Standards to Outdoor Lighting in Different Residential Building Types

6.7.1 Single-Family Buildings

All lighting attached to the residence or to other buildings on the same lot must be high efficacy, or controlled by a motion sensor and either a photocell or an astronomical time clock. 

Lighting must be controlled by a manual on/off switch that does not override any automatic sensor to the “on” mode.

Motion sensors may have a temporary override function that keeps the luminaire switched on irrespective of whether motion is detected, but the sensor must default back to automatic operation after no longer than six hours.

An Energy Management Control System (EMCS) may be used if it complies with all these requirements.

Stand-alone lighting control devices are required to be certified to the Energy Commission in accordance with the Title 20 Appliance Standards.  Lighting control systems shall meet all the applicable requirements of §110.9.

See sections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 of this chapter for additional information about lighting controls.

6.7.2    Low-Rise Multifamily Buildings

A.   Low-rise multifamily buildings are subject to the same outdoor lighting requirements as single-family buildings, with the exception that outdoor lighting in the following areas is allowed to comply with either the single-family requirements or the nonresidential requirements:

1.   Private patios

2.   Entrances

3.   Balconies

4.   Porches

5.   Residential parking lots and carports with fewer than eight vehicles

B.   Residential parking lots and carports with eight or more vehicles are required to meet the nonresidential outdoor lighting requirements.

6.7.3    High-Rise Multifamily buildings

Any outdoor lighting attached to the building, and which is controlled from within the dwelling unit, shall meet the residential requirements. 

Outdoor lighting attached to the building that is not controlled from within the dwelling unit shall meet the nonresidential requirements.  For information on the nonresidential requirements, see the outdoor lighting chapter for the 2013 Nonresidential Compliance Manual.

6.7.4    Address Signs

A.   Internally illuminated address signs shall:

1.   Comply with the nonresidential sign lighting Standards in §140.8, or

2.   Consume no more than 5 watts of power as determined according to §130.0(c).

B.   Other Signs

For high-rise residential buildings and hotels, signs that are not inside the dwelling units or guest rooms shall comply with the applicable nonresidential Sign Lighting requirements in §130.3 and §140.8. For additional information, see the Sign Lighting chapter of the 2013 Nonresidential Compliance Manual.

6.7.5 Hot and Cold Environments

Amalgam CFLs perform better at both very high and very low temperatures than non-amalgam versions, so are appropriate for outdoor lighting, although they can take a few minutes to reach full output. CFLs and ballasts that are not labeled “instant start” are likely to be amalgam lamps.  If instant start is important and temperatures may be low, specify a cold-weather-rated ballast.

Alternatively, an LED luminaire may be a good choice because LEDs perform very well in cold environments.

6.7.6 Outdoor Lighting Not Attached to a Building

Lighting that is not permanently attached to single family and low-rise multifamily buildings with fewer than four dwelling units, such as decorative landscape lighting, is not regulated by the residential lighting Standards.

However, when landscape lighting is attached to a building, it is regulated by the residential lighting Standards.

For exempt lighting, using a time clock or photocontrol on outdoor lighting not attached to buildings will help to prevent people from accidentally leaving these lights on during the day and will reduce energy use.

6.7.7    Residential Parking Lots, Carports and Parking Garages

Residential parking garages are treated as indoor spaces, whereas residential parking lots and carports are treated as outdoor space. All three types of parking facilities are required to meet either the residential or the nonresidential requirements of the Standards, depending on what type of building they are associated with, as demonstrated in Figure 6-11.

Figure 6-11 – Applicability of Standards to Parking Facilities and Common Areas in Different Residential Building Types

Residential parking lots should be lighted uniformly to provide a sense of safety; this means that lighting should fill in shadows and dark corners. Two or more less powerful luminaires in different places are often preferable to a single luminaire.

The Nonresidential Outdoor Lighting Standards include the following requirements for parking lots and car ports that accommodate a total of eight or more vehicles per site:

1.   Incandescent luminaires rated for lamps over 100W shall be controlled by a motion sensor. Outdoor luminaires with lamps rated over 150W must comply with the Backlight, Uplight, and Glare (BUG) requirements in §130.2 as established by the IES.

2.   Luminaires shall be controlled by a photocontrol, or an astronomical time switch that turns the lighting off when daylight is available.

See the following sections for a complete view of the Nonresidential Outdoor Lighting Standards: §130.0, §130.2, §130.4, and §140.7.