EC Agenda_01-12-2026 January 12, 2026 — 6:30 PM
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
1.Call to Order
2.Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and honor the Dakota nation, on whose ancestral land the City of Golden Valley
is built, and whose land resources we use. We commit to counteracting the erasure of the
cultural practices and presence of the Dakota people through education and by amplifying a wide
range of indigenous voices.
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval of Meeting Minutes
4.A.Approve November 24, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
4.B.Approve October 27, 2025 Minutes from Joint Meeting with Planning Commission
5.Business
5.A.2026 Workplan Introduction and Discussion
5.B.Commissioner/Staff Communications
5.C.Council Communications
6.Adjournment
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting January 12, 2026 — 6:30 PM
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community Development
763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax)
Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting
January 12, 2026
Agenda Item
4.A. Approve November 24, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
Prepared By
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Recommended Action
Motion to approve the minutes.
Supporting Documents
Draft Minutes - 11.24.25
2
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Remote Attendance: Members of the public may attend this meeting via Microsoft Teams by
calling 1-872-256-4160 and entering access code 774 327 980#.
Questions/Comments: Members of the public who have questions about the commission or
any items on the agenda should contact the staff commission liaison – Ethan Kehrberg,
Sustainability Specialist, ekehrberg@goldenvalleymn.gov, 763-593-8083.
Commissioners present: Sarah Drawz, Paul Klaas, Ellen Brenna, Adam Wold, Hannah Byl,
Lilian Stremel
Commissioners absent: None
Council Members present: Sophia Ginis
Staff present: Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist;
Chloe McGuire, Deputy Community Development Director;
Michael Ryan, City Engineer;
David Smith; GreenCorps Member;
Carrie Nelson, Engineering Assistant.
Others present: Amy Fredregill, Consultant, WSB
Mattie Anders, Consultant, WSB
Two Community Members
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Klaas at 6:30 pm.
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Commissioner Wold, seconded by Commissioner Drawz to approve the agenda
for November 24, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried.
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Byl to approve the minutes of
September 15, 2025 as submitted and the motion carried.
5. Business
5.A. Introductions and Welcoming of the New Student Member
• Staff introduced new student member, Lilian Stremel.
November 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
November 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
2
5.B. Climate Equity Plan Review of Draft Plan
• A Community Survey was done through Survey Monkey and had 373 responses.
o 93% of the people who responded live in Golden Valley.
o 21% own or work at a business in GV.
o 91% are homeowners. 4% are renters.
o 60% were aged 45-74
o Respondents were predominantly white. All other ethnic groups were 3% or
less.
o How concerned are you about climate change?
▪ 4.1 out of 5 stars.
o How important is it for the City to require businesses to significantly reduce their
emissions over the next 10 years?
▪ 3.7 out of 5 stars.
o How important is it for Golden Valley to take action on climate chage?
▪ 3.7 out of 5 stars.
o Top 3 actions already being taken by community members:
▪ LED lighting
▪ Composting and reducing food waste
▪ Reducing plastic bag waste.
o Top 3 climate issues:
▪ Outdoor air quality
▪ Weather events and more extreme summer temperatures
▪ Impacts to biodiversity/natural environments, such as trees, plants, and
crops.
o Top 3 actions related to community resilience people currently take or would be
willing to take in the next several years:
▪ Join community events such as clean-ups
▪ Attending a meeting related to these topics
▪ Share information with neighbors.
o Top 3 actions responders think the City should do:
▪ Infrastructure to help manage stormwater and other water run-off
▪ Plant more resilient and diverse species of trees and vegetation
▪ Improve safety and connection for walking, biking and traversing.
• Arts event on November 13 at Brookview
o Was put on in partnership with Perpich to partner with the arts community and
students.
o 15 students volunteered to make art related to different typical climate issues
like transportation, environment, water, wildlife, etc.
o About 45 attendees.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data
o Data will be sent from Met Council in January.
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City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
November 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
3
o In cities the size of Golden Valley, transportation and business energy use are
typically the two highest pieces in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Commissioners were asked for feedback on what they like/dislike on the draft Climate
Equity Plan.
o Strategies were identified from initial greenhouse gas data, survey input, existing
plans, policies, and goals, peer best practices and examples, EC and Steering
Committee meetings, and project team review of vision and goals.
o Focus Area 1: Natural Systems and Water
▪ Like Green spaces and tree canopies are important. The map seems like a
good data point to use throughout the planning of many of the items
throughout the plan.
▪ Like Water conservation and limiting lawn watering.
• People don’t like being told what to do so if you have people who
may be motivated, a rebate might be an incentive.
• Parts of the City Code encourage lawn watering like having
residents re-seed bare spots and making sure your lawn looks
well-manicured.
▪ Like turf to native gardens.
▪ Like the idea of a pilot program on reflective permeable pavement.
▪ Worried that saying both native and climate-adaptive might put you in a
box to do both. If it’s native it’s probably not going to be very climate-
adaptive. Maybe just pick one?
▪ A lot of synergies between talking about water efficiency in terms of
landscaping and how it fits into conversations about native plants and
pollinators.
▪ Students are looking for more opportunities to get involved so partnering
with schools could be a good thing.
o Focus Area 2: Community Cohesion and Public Health
▪ Goal 1 & 2 seem kind of abstract and high level. In favor of them, it’s just
a lot and they seem so big.
▪ Increasing famers markets and community gardens are a good idea.
▪ Concerned about opening barriers for urban farming.
o Focus Area 3: Energy and the Built Environment
▪ Typically the #1 source of greenhouse gas emissions.
▪ Sustainable building policy, demonstration project, and the I&I reduction
plan are all good ideas.
▪ Utility franchise fees maybe not a popular option.
▪ A strategy that was explored was prohibiting the use of natural gas in
new construction.
• Some communities are doing this. It’s not on the draft plan right
now. The closest thing is talking about building electrification like
space heating and cooling.
• It is an avenue of lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
5
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
November 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
4
• A lot of communities have franchise fees.
• There is a program called Electrify Everything that gets into
buildings where they are trying to do as much as they can through
incentivization/rebates/education.
• Cities cannot be ahead of the state building code, so we are
restricted a little there. We can’t be more restrictive than the
states building code.
• In MN, because of heating systems and heating requirements,
even if you put in geothermal or fully electric heating systems,
you’re still required to have some sort of back up system which
often times is a gas furnace.
▪ Developing a reliable process for locating households that experience
high energy burden. Possibly re-word this to make it less big brother like?
• Your energy costs are taking up a higher percentage of your
household income. There are a number of policies and tools that
can be used to help out these households.
• This came out of the Energy Action Plan and hasn’t been
completed yet.
• Xcel Energy had a dashboard to track this at a high level by city to
see what percentage of residents in the city are considered
energy burdened. Stopped getting updated in 2022.
o Focus Area 4: Transportation
▪ #2 source of greenhouse gas emissions.
▪ Updating the Bike and Ped Plan is a good idea. Walkability is good!
o Focus Area 5: Waste and Materials
▪ Would like there to be something in this to qualify what some of the
things in goal 1 mean in order to be clear about purchasing policies that
clarify what reusable standards are or even what certified compostable
standards are.
5.C. Commissioner/Staff Communications
• The Brookview Solar Panels have been ordered and possibly received. They will
hopefully be installed in the next couple of months now that golf season is over.
• Staff has been working on a resolution to take to Council either next week or later in
December to apply for the MPCA Local Climate Action Grant. The top project the City is
looking at doing is a golf cart storage building. The maintenance building at Brookview is
already scheduled to be replaced. We’re hoping to use this grant to leverage additional
money to put solar on the roof and possibly look at battery backup for cart charging.
• New Water Resource Specialist starting soon.
• Hennepin County will be hosting a fix-it clinic at Brookview on January 10, 2026, 12:00 –
4:00.
• The Commission does have about $800 remaining in the budget.
6
City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission Regular Meeting
November 24, 2025 – 6:30 pm
5
MOTION by Commissioner Drawz, seconded by Commissioner Brenna to spend the
remainder of the Environmental Commission budget on compostable bags to hand out
to residents and the motion carried.
5.D. Council Communications
• Council has three meetings in December. Staff have started onboarding two new
council members who will be seated in January.
• The Council approved the contract for the firm who will be leading the search for the
new police chief at the last Council meeting.
5.E. 2026 Dates and Goals
MOTION by Commissioner Brenna, seconded by Commissioner Wold to approve the
following 2026 Environmental Commission Meeting Schedule and to amend the Commission’s
bylaws to hold the monthly meeting on the third Monday of each month and the motion
carried.
• January 12 (moved from Jan 19) • July 20
• February 23 (moved from Feb 16) • August 17
• March 16 • September 14 (moved from Sept 21)
• April 20 • October 19
• May 18 • November 16
• June 15 • December 21
6. Adjournment
MOTION by Commissioner Stremel, seconded by Commissioner Drawz to adjourn the meeting
at 8:30 pm and the motion carried.
ATTEST:
__________________________________ __________________________________
Carrie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Paul Klaas, Chair
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community Development
763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax)
Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting
January 12, 2026
Agenda Item
4.B. Approve October 27, 2025 Minutes from Joint Meeting with Planning Commission
Prepared By
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Recommended Action
Motion to approve the minutes.
Supporting Documents
Draft Minutes EC & PC - 10.27.25
8
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Monday, October 27, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
1. CALL TO ORDER OF JOINT WORK SESSION: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
1.A. Missing Middle Housing Study
• Mike Thompson and Jenni Faulkner with Bolton and Menk gave an update on where the City is
in the process, and discussed how a city might balance housing density with sustainability and
environmental awareness.
• Mike Thompson described what Missing Middle Housing is and why the City is doing what they
are with the study.
• Mike Thompson shared that there are different ways to achieve the same housing outcome with
different environmental impacts. He noted an example of apartments, townhomes, and single-
family homes in a nearby mixed neighborhood housing development, which provided the sense
of what is able to be done in terms of scale.
• Chair Ruby asked if this sort of housing was what the Minneapolis 2040 plan was targeting. Mike
Thompson noted was correct that there could be single-family but also up to three units in the
same place.
• Mike Thompson shared that at times it seems as if there is more density, there is less green
space, but he offered a South Minneapolis example of the Missing Middle Housing being
integrated to include both.
• Jenni Faulkner noted the benefits that come along with more dense housing: sprawl, GHG,
resource consumption, development efficiency, quality of place
• Chair Ruby asked about the comment on density, bringing in things, and how the age of the
community impacts where people are going, with Maple Grove being his example. Mike
Thompson noted that Maple Grove does have density and undeveloped land that is easier and
cheaper to build on, which is part of the reason businesses are going there.
• Jenni Faulkner outlined the City tools that Golden Valley has.
• Mike Thompson shared strategies to connect density allowances with environmental benefits,
such as the City will allow encroachment to a setback if there are mature trees or solar panels.
• Commissioner Hill asked about stacking and whether the cost associated with that is better.
Mike Thompson noted that having an Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU, can be of great benefit to
the single-family unit. It was pointed out that there is not a lot of that in Golden Valley, only
about two in the recent past.
• Commissioner Cohen asked why Golden Valley is going to be able to make Missing Middle
Housing work when so many other places have struggled to do so. Mike Thompson stated that
he takes that as a good challenge: what could Golden Valley do differently? He noted opening
up things in the City, so it is legal to do so. Jenni Faulkner observed that the current Staff is very
charged up to make a change, and that could really help. Chair Ruby shared that people need
to see what the benefits are now; otherwise, it will never happen. Commissioner Cohen pointed
out that the Planning Commission has seen pushback already with the HOPE housing project,
and that gives a good reality of where the City is today.
• Mayor Harmon noted that to keep Golden Valley unique, she does not want to see a lot of high-
density housing, but whatever is done needs to have conditions. She added that with
community involvement, many aspects need to be looked at.
• Chloe McGuire asked the Environmental Commission if the idea of increasing density but being
more thoughtful with the character of the neighborhood feels appropriate from an
environmental perspective. Chair Klaas pointed out that the idea of sprawl and how putting in
additional housing is going to have an effect on all parts of the community, because there is not 9
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Monday, October 27, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
a lot of space to put housing in. Mike Thompson noted that this would not be an overnight
thing. He added that in attracting some things and not others, there is immense power in the
zoning code.
• Commissioner Segelbaum asked why this discussion is not more appropriate to have while also
talking about the Comprehensive Plan.
• Jenni Faulkner noted that this study will help to feed the Comprehensive Plan and the vision,
and the time may not be there during that time.
• Mike Thompson added that the City is also taking a proactive approach to this may be something
that is coming from a State level in the future, so why not start now?
• Councilmember Ginis stated Can you do a thing in your community, which hits on the
environmental side of things with the use of fossil fuels in transportation. She noted that
bringing in some of the things builds a better community.
• Commissioner Hill noted the affordable side of things and how tough that is.
• The Commissioners and Councilmembers noted what they were excited about.
• Chloe McGuire shared that there will be a postcard going out to residents about Missing Middle
Housing and asking if there have been burdens in the Code that have prevented residents from
doing things in or with their homes.
1.B. Climate Equity Plan
• A brief overview of the Climate Equity Plan was given. It is something that needs to be worked
on immediately. The broad goals of the program were shared as well.
• The five broad topic areas that are still being shaped were shared: Natural Systems and Water,
Community Cohesion and Public Health, Energy and the Built Environment, Transportation, and
Waste and Materials.
• The timeline was shared with things starting in June of 2025, and Spring 2026 being the
implementation date.
• Initial findings were shared; there were 360 responses so far from the community. The main
topic areas are green space as community identity, safety and stability as priorities,
intergenerational community concerns, transportation options, and emerging support for
proactive climate action. The survey closed on October 31.
• The initial climate findings were shared, and there was a broad overview of where different
emissions are in Golden Valley. Transportation is the highest category of emissions, with
businesses following close behind, and waste at the bottom, as there is no agriculture.
• The climate impacts of increased flood risk, prolonged dry spells, public health risks, natural
resource degradation, and air quality were shared.
• Councilmember Ginis feels that the Planning Commission will be an integral part of the
implementation of the Climate Equity Plan.
• Chair Ruby noted that it is interesting that the conversation is coming in after the talk of wanting
more density, but this is leading to more trees, so how are the two going to fit together? He
also brought up talking to the neighboring communities to partner in the plan.
• Commissioner Cohen added that more communication by the City is needed with the
community about the options that are out there, such as the organics program, which is paid
for with tax dollars, but it is not utilized fully.
• Councilmember Ginis noted the number of possibilities that are out there and available, just
need to be thought about because they can be done, such as the bus garages. She pointed out
that more density can lead to better emissions as well.
• Commissioner Segelbaum added that there is a way to make even the new developments
happen concerning the environment; it just takes creativity. Chair Ruby noted that in
challenging developers to be more creative, they have been, with the example of the parking
structure. 10
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Monday, October 27, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. | City Hall Council Chamber
7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427
• Mayor Harmon shared that being mindful of the Land that the City is one and using all parts of
the City thoughtfully.
• The steering committee was discussed, and the members who are on the board were
mentioned.
• Implementation of the plan was brought up, and how in the past, there have not been the
resources or too big an action list, but this time around, there is a lot more going into it. There
are objectives and progress towards goals that are being tracked, as with other climate plans.
• Chair Ruby noted that if this is something that the City is going to do, then it should already be
taking place in the new things that are being done, and not just the minimum, but going above
the minimum. It has been noted that the City is doing its very best to not just have a plan but
to actually implement the plan.
• The question was raised as to how the City makes sure that the plan is not just that, but is being
followed through with. The Planning Commission will be an integral part of making sure it is
followed through with. It was noted that the City will start implementing things first, and then
hopefully that will lead to the private developers following suit as well.
1.C. Staff Updates on Outdoor Lighting Code, Brookview Solar, Staffing, and Recent Events
• Outdoor Lighting Code update was given, and there is a lot that would go into it, so if an outside
consultant were hired to help, it would be about $60,000. Chloe McGuire shared the process
and that it would be slower than initially thought, but the Staff is happy to continue to work on
it. She noted that in order to get more lighting, it has to be done in the districts, and neighbors
would pool their money and sign agreements to make it happen. The police department is
willing to have a conversation.
• Chair Klaas shared that the City does have an Outdoor Lighting policy, it just needs to be
updated, as the old code deals with watts. Staff noted that because of the street lighting
districts, it is just making it very difficult, and it has a lot of layers, with most departments
needing to be involved.
• David Smith, Green Corps Member, was acknowledged, and the tradition of having them in the
City was discussed. David Smith introduced himself and was excited to be involved.
• The rest of the updates about Brookview Solar, Staffing, and Recent Events were given.
2. ADJOURNMENT: *Video ended at 8:00 prior to adjournment. – add approximate adjournment time –
8:15pm?
11
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community Development
763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax)
Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting
January 12, 2026
Agenda Item
5.A. 2026 Workplan Introduction and Discussion
Prepared By
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Summary
Review City Council's 2030 Strategic Directives, discuss progress on 2025 items, brainstorm for 2026,
and review relevant examples from other cities.
Supporting Documents
Golden Valley 2030 Strategic Directives
Golden Valley Lighting Ordinance - redlined with comments from Paul.pdf
Edina's Website for Organics Recycling
St Louis Park Zero Waste Packaging Ordinance
Minneapolis "Green To Go" Environmentally Acceptable Packaging Ordinance.pdf
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Strategic
(Re)Development
• Pursue vibrant, identifiable community nodes, including a “downtown,” with diverse housing
and retail options that attract and engage residents and visitors.
• Foster a healthy mix of housing stock that accommodates various price points and
life stages.
• Ensure transparency and inclusivity in (re)development decision-making by intentionally
partnering with residents, business owners, and visitors.
• Cultivate a reputation as a supportive partner in (re)development efforts.
• Retain and actively engage local businesses, recognizing their role as vital
community members.
• Prioritize the redevelopment of existing commercial and residential infrastructure to uphold
our commitment to thoughtful stewardship of land and natural resources.
Infrastructure Maintainance
& Enhancement
• Prioritize quality infrastructure designed to last, emphasizing environmental sustainability
and climate resiliency.
• Stay ahead of City infrastructure needs, prioritizing timely maintenance and replacement.
• Strategically use park land to offer diverse amenities that fulfill community needs while
advancing environmental goals.
• Improve responsiveness to emerging safety and maintenance issues such as crosswalks,
potholes, and curb cuts.
Effective Governance
& Management
• Maintain our local control and ability to represent our community’s values and priorities.
• Ensure effective City operations through strategic leadership and proactive planning that
addresses current needs while ensuring longterm sustainability.
• Enhance resident understanding about City projects and initiatives by clearly and regularly
communicating trade-offs and the rationale behind investments.
• Uphold transparency and accountability with the community, acknowledging mistakes and
promptly addressing them.
• Stay at the forefront of advancing equity and inclusivity by fostering strong, welcoming
relationships with community, maintaining a workplace that fosters belonging and
equitable outcomes, and embedding equity and inclusion into all City policies, initiatives,
plans, and projects.
• Create a workplace that attracts and retains talent by investing in staff development,
engagement, and morale while promoting accountability and focusing on solutions
to challenges.
Page 1 | 2030 Strategic Directives
2030 Strategic Directives
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
13
Page 2 | 2030 Strategic Directives
Financial Wellness • Increase the tax base to distribute the tax burden more evenly and better respond to
emerging community needs.
• Cultivate taxpayer confidence in our financial stewardship and the value of their investment
by providing high-quality services, actively seeking alternative funding sources (grants,
philanthropy, community partnerships), and transparently sharing our story.
• Address the immense needs within a limited budget by planning strategically for future
financial requirements and pursuing alternative funding sources.
• Foster partnerships with nearby jurisdictions to collaboratively tackle infrastructure
challenges affecting Golden Valley.
Community Affairs • Prioritize inclusivity and engagement with ALL Golden Valley populations, co-creating initia-
tives and regularly soliciting input.
• Treat taxpayers as valued customers, fostering a community-centric approach that responds
promptly to inquiries and keeps them up to date on progress.
• Strengthen community identity through a sharpened brand, more community gatherings, and
effective communication.
• Build community understanding about local government functions and roles to manage expec-
tations and help them effectively access the resources they need.
• Leverage City events and projects to reflect our environmental values (eg, zero-waste, ze-
ro-plastic community gatherings, etc).
2030 Strategic Directives
CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY
14
Golden Valley, Minnesota, outdoor lighting ordinance
update (2025)
Sec. 113-153. Outdoor Lighting.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to create standards for outdoor
lighting which will provide for nighttime safety, security and utility while reducing light
pollution, light trespass, and conserving energy for residential and nonresidential
properties.
(b) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context
clearly indicates a different meaning:
Correlated Color Temperature (CCT): A measure of the color properties of light emitted by
lamps, being equal to the temperature, expressed in kelvins (K), of a blackbody whose
spectrum best approximates the spectrum of the light source in question. CCT values are
typically provided in lighting manufacturer data sheets.
Cutoff: The point at which all light rays emitted by a lamp, light source, or luminaire are
completely eliminated (cutoff) at a specific angle above the ground.
Cutoff Angle: The maximum angle formed by a line drawn in the direction of emitted light
rays at the light source and a line perpendicular to the ground from the light source.
Flood Lighting: Any luminaire that incorporates a reflector or a refractor to concentrate the
light output into a directed beam in a particular direction with a wide or narrow beam.
Foot-candle: A non-SI unit used to measure illuminance. One foot-candle (fc) is equivalent
to the illuminance produced by a source with a luminous intensity of one candela falling on
a surface at a distance of one foot. Alternatively, it is the illuminance yielded by one lumen
incident on a one-square-foot surface with a uniform distribution.
Fully Shielded: The condition where the luminaire is designed and installed where no light
is emitted at or above a horizontal plane running through the lowest light emitting or
reflecting point on the luminaire. Examples of fully shielded and unshielded lighting are
shown below in Figure 1.
Glare: Direct light emitted from a luminaire with intensity great enough to cause visual
discomfort, eye fatigue, a reduction in a viewer's ability to see, or, in extreme cases,
momentary blindness.
IES (Illuminating Engineering Society ): The professional society of lighting engineers,
including those from manufacturing companies, and others professionally involved in
lighting.
Illuminance: The total luminous flux incident on a surface per unit area. Illuminance is a
measure of the light received by or on a surface and may be specified in either the vertical
or horizontal plane.
Commented [1]: This seems fine as-is.
Deleted: light fixture or lamp
Deleted: The American
Deleted: the total amount of light cast on a surface (
Deleted: )
Commented [2]: Adds the abbreviation.
Commented [3]: Because it is mentioned here,
illuminance needs a definition.
Deleted: le
Deleted: Full Cutoff-Type Luminaire: A luminaire
constructed or shielded to direct all light at a cutoff
angle of less than 90 degrees.
Deleted: NA
Deleted: of North America [IES or IESNA]
15
Figure 1.
Commented [6]: This figure is free to use, according to
its creator, by municipalities who wish to include it in
their outdoor lighting ordinances.
16
Lamp: The generic term for an artificial light source, to be distinguished from the whole
assembly (the luminaire). The lamp is commonly referred to as the "bulb."
Light Pollution: In an outdoor context, any adverse effect or impact attributable to the use of
artificial light at night.
Light Trespass: The direct shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries
of the property on which it is located.
Lumen: The SI unit of luminous flux, equal to the amount of light emitted per second into a
unit solid angle of one steradian from a uniform source of one candela.
Luminaire: A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the parts
designed to distribute the light but not inclusive of any mounting surface or hardware.
Net acre: An acre of any land parcel that is developed, consisting of structures and/or
hardscape. The net acreage of a parcel is the gross acreage of that parcel less any acres
that are considered undeveloped.
Uniformity Ratio: A description of the smoothness of the lighting pattern or the degree of
intensity of light and dark areas in the area to be lighted. Uniformity is expressed as a ratio
of the maximum illuminance to the minimum illuminance. The lower the ratio the more
uniform the lighting design.
Uplighting: Lighting that is designed and installed in such a manner as to shine light rays
above the horizontal plane.
Wallpack: A luminaire that mounts on the outside-facing walls of structures.
(c) Applicability.
(1) Except as otherwise provided, the lighting standards of this section shall be applicable
to new outdoor lighting installed on all residential and nonresidential uses, whether
publicly or privately owned, including:
a. New construction for which a development permit is required; or
b. Remodeling of an existing building or structure for which a development permit is
required, provided, however, that compliance with the requirements of this
section is required for a remodel of an existing building or structure only with
respect to the remodeled portion of the existing building or structure; or
c. Installation of new outdoor luminaires for any purpose.
(2) Exemptions. The regulations in this section do not apply to the following:
a. Lighting required by any legal jurisdiction higher than that of the City.
b.
c. Temporary lighting for City authorized special events, theatrical productions,
outdoor television production sets, and performance areas as authorized in
subsection (p).
d. Temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways, utilities, and
other public infrastructure provided that such lighting is installed and operated so
Deleted: The shining of light produced by a luminaire
above the height of the luminaire and into the sky.
Commented [8]: I recommend adding this to underscore
the idea that indirect or incidental light emitted on one
property and received on another is not usually
considered trespass.
Deleted: A quantitative unit measuring the amount of
light emitted from a light source.
Commented [10]: An important distinction. For example,
the pole to which a pole-mounted luminaire is affixed is
not considered part of the luminaire.
Deleted: A luminaire is commonly referred to as a
"fixture." …
Deleted: footcandle measurement
Deleted: footcandle measurement
Deleted: directed
Commented [12]: For DarkSky certification purposes,
ordinances cannot convey blanket exemptions on
public lighting.
Deleted: .
Commented [13]: Suggested clarifications here that are
not required by DarkSky International.
Formatted: Space After: 10 pt, Outline numbered + Level:
1 + Numbering Style: a, b, c, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment:
Left + Aligned at: 0.75" + Indent at: 1"
Deleted: the Federal Aviation Administration or
other Federal or State agency
Deleted: Public street or alley lighting located within
the public right-of-way that is authorized by the
City. …
Commented [15]: If this kind of lighting is to receive a
broad exemption, I recommend that the code include a
mechanism for permitting it that includes details like
permits, a duration limit, and an
enforcement mechanism. I have suggested expanded
language in the "temporary lighting" section toward the
end of the ordinance.
17
as to minimize off-site impacts such as glare and light trespass to the greatest
practical extent.
e. Vehicular lights and all temporary emergency lighting needed by the police
department and fire protection district, or other emergency services required to
save life, limb or property from imminent peril, provided that use persists only
during the hours of the peril.
f.
g. Lighting within fountains, swimming pools, and similar water features.
h. Sign lighting which is governed by City Code.
i. Decorative seasonal lighting for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, whether
consecutive or non-consecutive, in one calendar year. The total quantity of light
meeting this definition permitted is not limited, but excessive displays are liable to
be declared public nuisances. All holiday lighting must be fully extinguished each
night by 11 P.M. during the allowed period.
j. Fossil fuel lighting. Open fires are not permitted at any time within City limits.
(d) Prohibited Lights. The following lights are prohibited.
(1) Mercury vapor lamps.
(2) Searchlights, skybeams, and similar lighting, except as required by response
personnel during emergency conditions.
(3) Lasers.
(4) Any light that dynamically varies its output by intermittently fading, flashing, blinking,
or rotating. This type of lighting includes strobe lighting.
(e) Method of Measurement.
(1) Any light measurements shall be taken with a light meter with cosine and color
correction. Measurements shall be taken with a light meter that has been calibrated
within the year. Any measurements shall be measured by positioning the meter
horizontally at ground level.
(2) Any light measurement taken at the lot line shall be measured at the greatest point of
illumination of said lot line. If measurement on private property is not possible or
practical, light level measurements may be made at the boundary of the public street
right-of-way that adjoins the property of the complainant or at any other location on
the property of the complainant.
(3) Any light measurements to determine the minimum and maximum lighting levels
internal to a site will be taken at the greatest and least points of artificial illumination.
(f) Nonconformities and Nuisance.
(1) Any new outdoor lighting installed after the effective date of the ordinance from which
this section is derived shall comply with the requirements of this section. Lighting in
existence before the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived
that does not comply with the requirements hereof shall be considered legally
nonconforming and may continue to be used and maintained after the adoption of this
Commented [16]: Construction lighting shouldn't get a
free pass to be terrible.
Commented [17]: Here, too, this kind of "temporary"
exemption shouldn't be a blank check.
Deleted: Lighting of public and existing outdoor
recreational facilities, such as, but not limited to,
ball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, hockey or
skating rinks, golf courses, golf-ball driving ranges,
and special events or play areas. Lighting for these
outdoor recreational uses shall be shielded to
minimize light from spilling over onto adjacent
residential properties. Public recreational facility
lighting is prohibited after 10:30 p.m., unless a later
completion time is approved by the City Manager,
or his/her designee.
Commented [19]: A slightly more common, catch-all
definition.
Commented [20]: A separate examination of the Sign
Code is necessary to determine whether it complies
with DarkSky International requirements.
Commented [21]: Avoids stating a range of acceptable
calendar dates, which I am advised by attorneys could
otherwise be subject to challenge on First Amendment
grounds.
Commented [22]: This exemption is only acceptable
with reasonable constraints as suggested here.
Deleted: .
Commented [23]: Enables the use of gas lamps.
Deleted:
Deleted: Low pressure sodium lamps are prohibited
unless the City Manager or his/her designee finds
that the color distortion effect of low pressure
sodium lighting will not create a hindrance to crime
prevention and investigation.
Deleted: ,
Commented [25]: Because the meaning here is "both"
not "either/or".
Deleted: to the extent provided by the terms of this
chapter…
18
section, but shall be brought into compliance with its requirements upon the first to
occur of any of the following:
a. An application for a Planning Department design review, conditional use,
subdivision permit, or building permit;
b. A change of use of the property;
c. Any renovation to the property equal to or exceeding twenty (20) percent of its
assessed value;
d. More than fifty (50) percent of the total appraised value of a structure, as
determined from the records of the county’s appraisal district, is destroyed;
e. A determination by the Planning Director that the legal non-conforming luminaire
constitutes a public hazard or nuisance;
f. A certificate of occupancy is issued for a property previously determined by the
Planning Director to be abandoned for at least six (6) months;
g. The replacement of any legal non-conforming luminaire with new lighting
equipment, not inclusive of lamps or similar consumable parts; or
Ten (10) years after the effective date of this section.
(2) Evidence that a nonconforming luminaire directs light to any other private property
located in a Residential Zoning District to a vertical illuminance equal to or greater
than 0.5 footcandle on the other private property creates a presumption that it is a
nuisance. Such luminaires shall be altered to reduce the vertical illuminance in the
Residential Zoning District to less than 0.3 footcandle within thirty (30) days of
receiving a written notice from the City Manager or his/her designee. If the owner or
occupier of the property containing the nuisance fails to correct the illuminance within
such 30-day period, such failure to correct shall be deemed to be a continuing
violation of this section.
(g) Lighting Plan Requirements. An outdoor lighting (photometric) plan shall be
submitted in conjunction with the building permit application for any new development not
in an R-1 or R-2 Zoning District and for any expansion of more than 20 percent of the
building or site area. No building permits shall be issued for said development until the
photometric plan has been approved by the City as being consistent with the terms of this
section. A photometric plan shall include the following:
(1) The location and height above grade of each luminaire.
(2) The lamp type and luminous intensity of each light source with intensity reading points
no greater than 30 feet apart.
(3) The type of luminaire (such as floodlight, lantern, coach light).
(4) Estimates for illuminance on the target surface resulting from the lighting, as
measured in footcandles, should include minimum, maximum and average
illuminance. Comparable examples already in the community that demonstrate
technique, specification, and/or light level should be provided if available to expedite
the review process.
(5) Hours of illumination.
Deleted: .
Deleted: glare
Deleted: at
Deleted: level of illumination caused by the
luminaire…
Deleted: public
Deleted: fixture
Deleted: level of
Deleted: tion
Deleted: level of
Deleted: tion
Deleted: light fixture
Deleted: (such as incandescent, halogen, high
pressure sodium) …
Deleted: fixture
Deleted: full-cutoff,
Deleted: site illumination
Deleted: tion
19
(6) Certification by the property owner or agent and the preparer of the plan in writing that
the exterior lighting depicted on the plan complies with the requirements of this
section. Once the plan is approved, the exterior lighting of the property shall conform
to the plan.
(7) Other information deemed necessary may also be required by the City Manager or
his/her designee to document compliance with the provisions of this section.
(8) If deemed necessary, the City may require the applicant's outdoor lighting plan to be
reviewed by a lighting consultant at the applicant's expense.
(h) Requirements for R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts. The provisions in this subsection
(h) apply to the R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts.
(1) Full shielding. All exterior lighting shall use fully shielded luminaires with the light
source downcast, with the following exceptions:
a. Luminaires that have a maximum light output of 1,000 lumens per luminaire,
regardless of number of lamps (equal to one 66-watt incandescent light) may be
unshielded provided that light trespass does not result and the luminaire has an
opaque top or is under an opaque structure.
(2) Lighting levels. The maximum lumen rating of any luminaire shall be 2,250 lumens.
(3) Color temperature. The correlated color temperature of lamps shall not exceed 3000
kelvins.
(4) Site lumen limits. On no parcel shall the amount of allowed lighting in all shielding
states exceed, in the aggregate, 5,000 lumens per net acre.
(5) Unshielded site lighting limits. On no parcel shall the amount of allowed unshielded
lighting exceed, in the aggregate, 10,000 lumens per net acre.
(6) Light trespass. All outdoor lighting shall be designed and located such that the
maximum vertical illuminance shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle at the lot line.
(7) Security lights. Motion-activated and unshielded floodlights or spotlights meeting the
light trespass requirements above are permitted provided that:
a. The duration of illumination upon each event triggering the motion sensor does
not exceed five (5) minutes, after which the switch automatically shuts off;
b. The motion sensitivity is set so as to trigger only on the movement of large
objects such as animals and people; and
c. The motion sensing switch fails by default into the “off” setting.
(i) General Requirements for Other Zoning Districts. The following provisions apply in all
areas except for R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts.
(1) Full shielding. All exterior lighting shall use fully shielded luminaires with the light
source downcast, with the following exceptions:
a. b. Luminaires that have a maximum light output of 1,000 lumens per
luminaire, regardless of number of lamps (equal to one 66-watt incandescent light)
may be unshielded provided that light trespass does not result and the luminaire
has an opaque top or is under an opaque structure.
Deleted: power
Deleted: 150 watts
Commented [30]: These are DarkSky International
requirements, but the numbers quoted are suggestions
because DarkSky prescribes no particulate thresholds.
I recommend them based on my experience working
with other comparably sized municipalities. (Same for
zoning districts other than R-1 and R-2, below.)
Deleted: 2
Deleted: tion
Deleted: 3
Deleted: security lights
Deleted: . However, they must meet the light
trespass requirements above.
Formatted: Outline numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering
Style: a, b, c, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at:
0.75" + Indent at: 1"
Commented [32]: These requirements are suggested to
prevent lighting triggered by motion sensors from
becoming a nuisance.
Deleted: Lighting Fixtures
Deleted: cut-off
Deleted: and fully shielded
Deleted: Luminaires that have a maximum light
output of 400 lumens per fixture, regardless of
number of lamps (equal to one 2640-watt
incandescent light), may be left unshielded
provided the luminaire has an opaque top or is
under an opaque structure. ¶
Deleted: fixture
Deleted: 0
Deleted: partially
Deleted: the lamp is not visible
Deleted: ,
20
c. The City Manager or his/her designee may permit alternatives to fully shielded
luminaires if there is a City-approved area lighting plan. In order for the area
lighting plan to be approved, it must be demonstrated that undesirable off-site
impacts stemming from the luminaires are reduced by the luminaire design or
location.
d. Uplighting lighting described in this section.
(2) Light Trespass. Outdoor lighting shall be designed, installed and located such that the
maximum vertical illuminance shall not exceed 0.5 footcandle at the lot line.
(3) Color temperature. The correlated color temperature of lamps shall not exceed 3000
kelvins.
(4) Site lumen limits. On no parcel shall the amount of allowed lighting in all shielding
states exceed, in the aggregate, 50,000 lumens per net acre.
(5) Unshielded site lighting limits. On no parcel shall the amount of allowed unshielded
lighting exceed, in the aggregate, 10,000 lumens per net acre.
(6) Mounting Height. Luminaire height includes base and pole height. Freestanding
luminaires are permitted to be a maximum of 30 feet in height, except for the
following:
a. When a luminaire is located within 500 feet of an R-1 or R-2 residential property
the maximum permitted luminaire height shall be 25 feet and the lights shall be
shielded.
b. The top exterior deck of parking garages shall be treated as normal pole mounted
lighting rather than as lights mounted to buildings. The maximum height for light
poles in these locations shall be 20 feet and light poles shall be located at least 20
feet from the perimeter of the parking deck.
c. Freestanding luminaires used for walkways, plazas and other pedestrian areas are
permitted to be a maximum of 18 feet.
(7) Timers, Dimmers, and Sensors. Lighting installations shall include timers, dimmers,
and/or sensors to reduce overall energy consumption and eliminate unneeded
lighting.
(8) Curfew. Lighting systems described below for parking lots, service stations, and auto
sales areas shall be extinguished or reduced in lighting by at least 50 percent
beginning one hour after close of business and continuing until dawn or start of
business, whichever is sooner. The reduction shall be determined as an overall
average for the site. This provision does not require parking lot lighting levels to be
reduced to less than 0.2 footcandle.
(j) Specific Requirements for Parking Lot Lighting. The following specific lighting level
requirements apply only to parking lot lighting.
(1) Open-Air Parking Lot Lighting Standards. The table below establishes open-air
parking lot lighting standards. For multilevel parking facilities, the roof level shall be
considered an open-air parking lot.
Basic Level Enhanced Security
Level*
Deleted: -cut off
Deleted: fixture
Deleted: fixture
Deleted: /accent
Commented [34]: To cover situations where lighting
products have user-adjustable mounts.
Deleted: tion
Deleted: 3
Deleted: 4
Commented [35]: Unless this item is rewritten to be
more prescriptive, it's only enforceable in the sense
that the equipment _has_ such features, not that
owners _must use them_.
Deleted: 5
21
Minimum footcandles on pavement 0.2 fc 0.5 fc
Maximum footcandles on pavement 4.0 fc 7.5 fc
Uniformity ratio maximum: minimum 20:1 15:1
*When requested by the property owner, the City Manager or his/her designee may
increase from basic to enhanced security lighting levels when personal security is an
issue. The City Manager or his/her designee may consider specific site
characteristics, level of vehicle and pedestrian conflict, special security needs, and
history or likelihood of crimes in making the determination.
(k) Specific Requirements for Service Stations. The following specific requirements
apply only to service stations:
(1) Canopy Lighting.
a. Luminaires mounted under canopies used for vehicle shelter shall be aimed
downward and installed such that the bottom of the luminaire or its lens, whichever
is lower, is recessed or mounted flush with the bottom surface of the canopy. A
fully shielded luminaire may project below the underside of a canopy. All light
emitted by an under-canopy luminaire shall be substantially confined to the ground
surface directly beneath the perimeter of the canopy.
b. Lights shall not be mounted on the top or sides (fascias) of the canopy, and the
sides (fascias) of the canopy shall not be internally illuminated.
c. The horizontal illuminance shall not exceed twelve (12) footcandles average
maintained at the perimeter of the canopy and measured at ground level.
(2) Illumination Beyond Canopy Perimeter. The horizontal illuminance 20 feet beyond the
perimeter of the canopy shall be a minimum of two (2) footcandles and a maximum of
five (5) footcandles. The vertical illuminance at the property line shall not exceed 0.5
footcandle at the lot line.
(3) Exceptions to Lighting Level Standards. At the discretion of the City Manager or
his/her designee, increased lighting levels may be permitted for enhanced security
purposes only.
(l) Specific Requirements for Auto Sales Areas. The following specific requirements apply
only to auto sales areas:
(1) Lighting Levels. Lighting levels shall not exceed a maximum of 20 footcandles within
an auto sales area.
(2) Light Uniformity. The maximum uniformity ratio (maximum illumination to minimum
illumination) throughout an auto sales area shall not exceed 30:1.
(m) Requirements for Uplighting.
(1) Architectural features may be illuminated by uplighting, provided no individual source
exceeds 1,000 lumens and that no glare or light trespass is produced. All floodlights
or other lighting attached to poles to illuminate buildings are prohibited.
(2) For statues, public art, or other objects of interest that cannot be illuminated with
downlighting, upward lighting may only be used that is directed so as to be confined
Commented [36]: I _strongly_ discourage this kind of
provision in an outdoor lighting code. There's no robust
scientific evidence that lighting has any effect on the
security of property or people. To suggest it does, and
to allow adjustments for light levels in this way, implies
the possibility of legal immunity for property owners in
case they are otherwise held liable for injuries
sustained at night, which is a guarantee the City cannot
make.
Instead, codes should simply follow the IES illuminance
and uniformity recommendations in RP-8 ("Lighting
Roadway and Parking Facilities").
Deleted: Lighting fixtures
Deleted: light fixture
Deleted: cutoff light fixture
Deleted: fixture
Commented [37]: What is "substantial" in this context?
Deleted: Light levels
Deleted: tion
Commented [38]: Even service stations should abide by
the light trespass restriction for other commercial uses.
LED lighting offers amazing control. There's no excuse
not to use it.
Commented [39]: Again, I recommend strongly against
allowing what amounts to a blank check.
Deleted: and Accent Lighting
22
to the surface of interest to the greatest practical extent. No such upward-directed
source may exceeds 1,000 lumens.
(3) Uplighting of flags is permitted with a limit of three luminaires per flag pole with a
maximum of 2,250 lumens from each luminaire. The luminaires must be shielded
such that the light source is not directly visible outside of a 15-foot radius.
(n) Requirements for Outdoor Athletic Field Lighting. The following specific requirements apply
only to outdoor athletic playing fields and similar recreation facilities.
(1) Lighting guidelines contained in the current version of IES Recommended Practice 6
(“Lighting Sports and Recreational Areas”) shall be followed according to the
appropriate class of play.
(2) Field lighting shall be provided exclusively for illumination of the surface of play and
viewing stands, and not for any other applications.
(3) Illuminance levels shall be adjustable based on the task such as active play versus
field maintenance.
(4) Off-site impacts of the lighting shall be limited to the greatest practical extent possible.
(5) Illumination must be extinguished by 10:00 P.M. or one hour after the end of play,
whichever is later.
(6) Timers shall be installed to prevent lights being left on accidentally overnight by
automatically extinguishing them.
(o) Requirements for publicly owned lighting. The following specific requirements
apply only to new installations of outdoor lighting on public properties and rights of way,
including street lighting:
(1) All lighting must comply with the pertinent shielding and color temperature provisions
of this section.
(2) Warranting. New installations of outdoor lighting will only be installed on public
properties and rights-of-way upon determination by the City Manager or his/her
designee that a public safety hazard exists in the area to be lit, and that the hazard
can only be effectively mitigated through the use of outdoor lighting and not through
some other passive means, such as reflectorized roadway paint or markers.
(3) Curfew. All public lighting not adaptively controlled must be fully extinguished by 11
P.M., or within one hour of the end of occupancy of the structure or area to be lit,
whichever is later.
(4) Adaptive controlling. All new installations of outdoor lighting on public properties and
rights of way must be regulated with adaptive controls such that the lighting of areas
is restricted to times, places and amounts required for safe occupancy.
Deleted: illumination to the object
Commented [40]: Consider making this a downlighting-
only requirement. There are a sufficient number of fully
shielded flag lighting options on the market now to
make this a practical requirement.
Deleted: 150 watts
Deleted: fixture
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.44", Hanging: 0.25"
Commented [41]: This section contains provisions
required by DarkSky International for International Dark
Sky Community accreditation.
Formatted: Highlight
Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Font: Italic
Commented [42]: This language is suggested to comply
with DarkSky International requirements.
23
(p) Temporary Lighting.
(1) Temporary lighting that does not conform to the provisions of this section may be
approved at the discretion of the City Manager or his/her designee subject to
submission of an acceptable Outdoor Lighting Permit as defined in subsection 4 of
this section.
(2) Temporary lighting permits issued shall be valid for no more than thirty (30) calendar
days and subject to no more than one renewal, at the discretion of the Planning
Director, for an additional thirty (30) calendar days.
(3) Any lighting allowed through by permit that remains installed after sixty (60) calendar
days from the issue date of the permit is declared permanent, and is immediately
subject to all of the provisions of this section.
(4) A request for temporary exemption to any provision of this section (an “Outdoor
Lighting Permit”) shall contain minimally the following listed information:
a. Specific exemptions requested;
b. Previous temporary exemptions, if any;
c. Duration of time requested exemption;
d. Type and use of exterior light involved;
e. Type and initial lumens of proposed lamps;
f. A plan with proposed luminaire locations; and
g. Manufacturer data sheets for proposed luminaires.
(5) In addition to the above data, the City Manager or his/her designee may request any
additional information which would enable a reasonable evaluation of the request for
temporary exemption.
(Code 1988, § 11.73; Ord. No. 365, 2nd Series, 3-23-2007)
Update 2025
Deleted: n
Commented [43]: The changes suggested here are not
strictly required by DarkSky International. I recommend
them in order to clarify the previous exemption of
temporary lighting installations and place some
reasonable constraints on their permitting.
Deleted: Lighting used to illuminate temporary uses
shall be reviewed, and if necessary conditioned,
through the temporary use permitting process.
Deleted: The City Manager or his/her designee may
impose specific conditions for the lighting of
temporary uses consistent with the purposes of this
section.
24
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Backyard Composting Home ›Departments ›Public Health Division ›Garbage & Recycling ›Organics Recycling
Organics Recycling
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Organics and Recycling Pickup Schedules Change Due to Holidays
The Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays will affect pickup schedules for recycling
and organics recycling. Check schedules and make sure to put your carts out early.
Read on...
The goal of the City's Organics Recycling program is to
ensure that every resident can benefit from better waste
management practices. The program fee appears on
quarterly utility bills with traditional recycling.
Free rolls of compostable bags are available at the Edina
Senior Center reception area.
Items that belong in your
Organics cart
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, fish and bones
Dairy products
Eggs and egg shells
Pasta, beans and rice
Bread and cereal
Nuts and shells
Pizza boxes from delivery
Napkins and paper towels
Wooden items (chopsticks, popsicle sticks
and toothpicks)
Coffee grounds and filters
Tea bags (no synthetic tea bags, remove
staples)
Paper egg cartons
Tissues
Hair and nail clippings
Cotton balls and swabs with paper stems
(no plastic)
Houseplant trimmings and flowers
Certified compostable food service items
with BPI logo on them*
Plates, cups, bowls, takeout
containers, utensils
Items that DO NOT BELONG
in your Organics cart
Yard waste (no grass clippings, no leaves,
no branches, no trees)
Diapers and sanitary products
Animal and pet waste, litter or bedding
Cleaning or baby wipes
Grease or oil
Plastic foam (commonly called Styrofoam)
Dryer lint and dryer sheets
Recyclable items (cartons, glass, metal,
paper, plastic)
Frozen food boxes
Microwave popcorn bags
Gum
Fast food wrappers
Products labeled “biodegradable” — this
is not the same as compostable
paper with a shiny, smooth coating
(unless it's BPI certified)
Wax paper or parchment paper (unless
it’s BPI certified)
View the full list of items that can go in your organics cart in English (PDF), Spanish (PDF) and
Somali (PDF).
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FAQs
My organics cart was not picked up on my scheduled day. What should I do?
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Can I use regular plastic bags to collect organics?
Do the materials have to be bagged before putting inside the cart?
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Organics Recycling Pickup Map and Schedule
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Twila Singh
Organics Recycling Coordinator
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Phone: 952-826-1657
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25
Chapter 12
Environment and Public Health
Article VI.Zero Waste Packaging
Sec.12-201.Legislative purpose.
Sec.12-202.Definitions.
Sec.12-203.Prohibitions and duties.
Sec.12-204.On-site collections for recyclable and compostable packaging.
Sec.12-205.Rules and regulations.
Sec.12-206.Exclusions and exemptions.
Sec.12-207.Violations and enforcement.
Sec.12-208.Severability.
Sec.12-209.Effective date.
Sec.12-210 —12-250.Reserved.
Article VI.Zero Waste Packaging
Sec.12-201.Legislative purpose.
The City of St.Louis Park is committed to being a leader in environmental stewardship and to
increasing environmental consciousness and responsibility in all areas of city business.
The purpose and intent of this ordinance is to:
(a)Encourage the use of reusable food and beverage packaging when possible;
(b)Minimize the amount of single-use,disposable food and beverage packaging that must be
thrown in the garbage,and thus disposed via incineration or landfilling;
(c)Maximize the amount of single-use food and beverage packaging items that can be recycled
or composted;and
(d)Minimize contamination in organics and recycling.
Sec.12-202.Definitions.
As used in this chapter,the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings as defined in
this section:
Compostable packaging shall mean packaging that is separable from solid waste prior to
collection for the purpose of composting or anaerobic digestion.Compostable packaging must be made
of certified compostable plastic or paper that meets ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 or other material
accepted by the facility receiving and processing the materials as determined by the St.Louis Park Public
Works Department by rule promulgated pursuant to Section 12-205.
Food and beverage packaging shall mean packaging used to serve food and beverage products
intended for immediate consumption including cups,plates,bowls,serving trays,to-go containers,
clamshells,wrappers,and lids.
Food establishment shall mean a "food establishment"as defined by Chapter 3.3.1 Hennepin
County Code of Ordinances.
Mobile use-food establishment shall mean “mobile use-food”as defined in Chapter 36-142(g)(5)
of the City Code of Ordinances.
Non-packaging food service items shall mean items that are not packaging,but are used to
consume food,including straws and utensils.
Recyclable packaging shall mean food or beverage packaging that is separable from solid waste
prior to collection for the purpose of recycling.Recyclable packaging must be accepted by the local
material recovery facilities receiving and processing the materials and have existing robust recycling
26
markets as determined by the St.Louis Park Public Works department by rule promulgated pursuant to
Section 12-205.Reusable packaging shall mean food or beverage packaging that is capable of being
refilled at a retail location or returned to the distributor for reuse at least once as a container for the
same food or beverage.
Single-use shall mean an item designed and intended for a single use.
Zero waste packaging shall mean and include reusable packaging,single-use recyclable
packaging,and single-use compostable packaging.
Sec.12-203.Prohibitions and duties.
(a)No person owning,operating or conducting a food establishment or any person or organization
providing free food or beverage products within the City of St.Louis Park pursuant to a Hennepin County
or Minnesota Department of Agriculture permit or license,or in a manner which would require a permit
or license,shall do or allow to be done any of the following within the city:
(1)Sell or convey at retail or possess with the intent to sell or convey at retail any food or
beverage packaging which is not zero waste packaging.The presence on the premises of the
food establishment of packaging which is not zero waste packaging shall constitute a rebuttable
presumption of intent to sell or convey at retail,or to provide to retail customers packaging
which is not zero waste packaging.
(b)To reduce contamination in recycling and organics,mobile use-food establishments shall implement
the following by January 1,2020,and all other food establishments shall implement the following by July
1,2020:
(1)Single-use cups and containers that are utilized with lids shall have lids of the same category
of packaging.
a.Recyclable packaging shall only have recyclable lids;
b.Compostable packaging shall only have compostable lids.
(2)Compostable cups shall be labeled to clearly indicate to the consumer that the cup is
compostable.Labeling must include at least one of the following:
a.The words “certified compostable,”“commercially compostable”or other language,as
approved by the St.Louis Park Public Works Department by rule promulgated pursuant to
Section 12-205.“Made from plants,”“bio-based,”or “biodegradable”are not acceptable alternatives on
their own;
b.The logo of a third-party certification or testing body indicating the cup meets compostability
standards,as approved by the St.Louis Park Public Works Department by rule promulgated
pursuant to Section 12-205.
(c)All food establishments shall implement the following in relation to non-packaging food service items
by January 1,2020:
(1)Single-use utensils including,but not limited to,forks,spoons,and knives shall be
compostable.
(2)Single-use straws of any kind shall only be provided to consumers upon request.Front of-
house straw dispensers,which allow for customers to self-serve,meet this requirement.
Sec.12-204.On-site collection for recyclable and compostable packaging.
(a)A food establishment which utilizes single-use compostable and/or recyclable food packaging to
serve consumers on-site shall have on-site collection for recyclable and/or compostable packaging.
(1)A food establishment that does not utilize single-use packaging to serve consumers on-site is
exempt from the requirement to have on-site collection for recyclable and/or compostable
packaging.
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(2)A food establishment that does not have dine-in seating for consumers is exempt from the
requirement to have on-site collection for recyclable and/or compostable packaging.
(3)If a mobile use-food establishment is being hosted by an entity as part of an event or regular
business,the hosting entity shall provide on-site collection for recyclable and/or compostable
packaging.
(b)Containers for the on-site collection of recyclable and/or compostable packaging shall be colocated
with garbage containers.
(1)If garbage receptacles are available to consumers,then receptacles for separating recyclable
and/or compostable packaging must also be made available to consumers in the same location.
(2)If garbage receptacles are not available to consumers and are instead placed in areas for use
by staff only,then receptacles for separating recyclable and/or compostable packaging are only
required in those locations.
(c)A food establishment shall arrange for the collection of recyclable and/or compostable packaging by
a licensed solid waste collector for delivery to an appropriate transfer station or processing facility.
Sec.12-205.Rules and regulations.
The St.Louis Park Public Works Department may promulgate such rules and regulations as may
be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article and protect the health of the public,including:
(a)A list of recyclable and compostable packaging that meets definitions under Section 12-202;
(b)A list of third-party certification or testing bodies that meet the requirements under Section
12-203(b)(2);
(c)A list of exemptions under Section 12-206(e).
In promulgating such rules,the department shall consider the legislative purposes provided in
Section 12-201 of this ordinance and shall consult with the operators of affected food establishments,
local material recovery facilities and local commercial composting facilities.The public works
department rules and regulations shall be approved by the city manager annually.
Sec.12-206.Exclusions and exemptions.
Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary,this ordinance shall not apply to:
(a)Manufacturers,brokers,distributors or warehouse operators who conduct or transact no
retail food or beverage business;
(b)Food and beverage service provided through patient care at hospitals and nursing homes;
(c)Food packaging pre-packaged by a manufacturer,producer or distributor;
(d)Plastic films less than ten (10)mils in thickness;
(e)Any packaging,which is not zero waste packaging,but for which there is no commercially
available alternative as determined by the St.Louis Park Public Works Department by rule
promulgated pursuant to Section 12-205.In determining whether there are commercially
available alternatives,the public works department will consider whether there is availability of
zero waste packaging for affected products.Every rule creating an exemption under this
paragraph will be reviewed annually by the public works department to determine whether
current conditions continue to warrant the exemption.
Sec.12-207.Violations and enforcement.
(a)Violations of this ordinance shall be punishable as a misdemeanor pursuant to City Code
Section 1-13,and/or an administrative offense pursuant to City Code Section 1-14,
Administrative Penalties.
(b)The administrative offenses provided for in this article shall be in addition to any other legal
or equitable remedy available to the city for city code violations.
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(c)At the time a violation occurs,a warning notice will be given in writing.The food
establishment will be given 14 calendar days to take corrective action before a fine is issued.
Sec.12-208.Severability.
If any part or provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person,entity,or
circumstances shall be judged unconstitutional or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction,such
judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part,provision or application which is directly involved
in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered,and shall not affect or impair the
validity of the remainder of this ordinance or the application thereof to other persons,entities,or
circumstances.
Sec.12-209.Effective date.
Unless otherwise indicated,this ordinance shall take effect January 1,2017.
Sec.12-210--12-250.Reserved.
(Ordinance No.2485-15,12-21-15;Ordinance No.2561-19,6-17-19)
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- CODE OF ORDINANCES
Title 10 - FOOD CODE
CHAPTER 204. ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION: ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE PACKAGING
Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances Created: 2025-12-23 12:46:56 [EST]
(Supp. No. 71)
Page 1 of 4
CHAPTER 204. ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION: ENVIRONMENTALLY
ACCEPTABLE PACKAGING
204.10. Legislative purpose.
The city council finds that discarded packaging from foods and beverages prepared for immediate consumption
constitutes a significant and growing portion of the waste in Minneapolis' waste stream. Regulation of food and
beverage packaging, therefore, is a necessary part of any effort to encourage a recyclable and compostable waste
stream, thereby reducing the disposal of solid waste and the economic and environmental costs of waste
management for the citizens of Minneapolis and others working or doing business in Minneapolis.
The council further finds that plastic packaging is rapidly replacing other packaging material, and that some
plastic packaging used for foods and beverages is nonreusable, nonreturnable, nonrecyclable and
noncompostable.
The council also finds that the two (2) main processes used to dispose of discarded nonreusable,
nonreturnable, nonrecyclable and noncompostable plastic food and beverage packaging are land filling and
incineration, both of which should be minimized for environmental reasons.
The council therefore finds that the minimization of nonreusable, nonreturnable, nonrecyclable and
noncompostable food and beverage packaging originating at retail food establishments and at events providing
food and/or beverages within the city of Minneapolis is necessary and desirable in order to minimize the city's
waste stream, so as to reduce the volume of landfilled waste, to minimize toxic by-products of incineration, and to
make our city and neighboring communities more environmentally sound places to live. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89;
96-Or-059, § 1, 6-28-96; 2014-Or-023, § 1, 5-23-14)
204.20. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings as defined in this section:
(a) Packaging shall mean and include food or beverage cans, bottles or containers used to package food
and beverage products for distribution including glasses, cups, plates, serving trays, and to-go
containers; but shall specifically exclude foods pre-packaged by the manufacturer, producer or
distributor; plastic knives, forks and spoons sold or intended for use as utensils; and plastic films less
than ten (10) mils in thickness.
(b) Environmentally acceptable packaging shall mean and include any of the following:
(1) Reusable and returnable packaging: Food or beverage containers or packages, such as, but not
limited to, water bottles, growlers, milk containers and bulk product packaging that are capable
of being refilled at a retail location or returned to the distributor for reuse at least once as a
container for the same food or beverage;
(2) Recyclable packaging: Packaging that is separable from solid waste by the generator or during
collection for the purpose of recycling including glass bottles, aluminum cans and plastic food and
beverage packaging that have robust recycling markets. For the purposes of this chapter,
environmentally preferable plastic packaging includes the following plastic types:
a. Polyethylene Terephthalate (#1 PET or PETE);
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Page 2 of 4
b. High Density Polyethylene (#2 HDPE); and
c. Polypropylene (#5 PP).
(3) Compostable packaging: Packaging that is separable from solid waste by the generator or during
collection for the purpose of composting. Compostable packaging must be made of paper,
certified compostable plastics that meet ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 for compostability or other
cellulose-based packaging capable of being decomposed through composting or anaerobic
digestion.
(c) Food establishment, as used in this chapter, means a "food establishment" as defined in section 186.50
of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89; 90-Or-067, § 1, 2-23-90; 96-Or-059, §
2, 6-28-96; 2013-Or-145, § 1, 12-6-13; 2014-Or-023, § 2, 5-23-14)
204.30. Prohibitions and duties.
(a) No person owning, operating or conducting a food establishment or any person or organization providing free
food or beverage products within the city of Minneapolis pursuant to a permit or license, or in a manner which
would require a permit or license, shall do or allow to be done any of the following within the city: Sell or convey at
retail or possess with the intent to sell or convey at retail any food or beverage intended for immediate
consumption contained, at any time at or before the time or point of sale, in packaging which is not
environmentally acceptable packaging. The presence on the premises of the food establishment of packaging
which is not environmentally acceptable packaging shall constitute a rebuttable presumption of intent to sell or
convey at retail, or to provide to retail customers packaging which is not environmentally acceptable packaging;
provided, however, that this subparagraph shall not apply to manufacturers, brokers or warehouse operators, who
conduct or transact no retail food or beverage business.
(b) Packaging used to contain food or beverages intended for immediate consumption shall be considered
environmentally acceptable packaging only when the food establishment provides consumers with an
opportunity to recycle and/or appropriately manage compostable plastics and utilizes a qualified recycling
and/or organics management system. At public events and markets, such as farmers markets, the event food
sponsor or market manager shall be responsible for providing a qualified recycling and/or organics
management system for event and market vendors and consumers.
(1) A qualified recycling system shall have the following elements:
a. A clear and verifiable process for separating recyclable packaging from discarded solid waste; and
b. Collection and delivery of recyclable packaging to a recycling facility for processing in the same or
at least similar manner as recyclable packaging collected in a municipally approved recycling
program.
(2) A qualified organics management system shall have the following elements:
a. A clear and verifiable process for separating organic materials from discarded solid waste; and
b. Collection and delivery of organic materials to a food to people, food to animals, organics
composting or anaerobic digestion facility in the same manner or at least similar manner as
organic materials collected in a municipally approved organics management program. (89-Or-
060, § 1, 3-31-89; 96-Or-059, § 3, 6-28-96; 2014-Or-023, § 3, 5-23-14; Ord. No. 2019-054, § 1, 11-
22-19)
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Page 3 of 4
204.40. Enforcement.
The environmental health division of the health department shall have the duty and the authority to enforce the
provisions of this chapter. The license official shall also have authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89; 96-Or-059, § 4, 6-28-96; 2013-Or-145, § 2, 12-6-13; 2014-Or-023, § 4, 5-23-14)
204.50. Rules and regulations.
The environmental health division may, upon notice and hearing, promulgate such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and protect the health of the public, including the development
of exemptions under section 204.70 for packaging for which there is no reasonable commercially available
alternative. In promulgating such rules, the division shall consider the legislative purposes provided in section
204.10 of this chapter and shall consult with the operators of affected food establishments. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-
89; 96-Or-059, § 5, 6-28-96; 2013-Or-145, § 3, 12-6-13; 2014-Or-023, § 5, 5-23-14)
204.60. Reserved.
Editor's note(s)—Ord.\No. 2014-Or-023, § 6, adopted May 23, 2014, repealed § 204.60, which pertained to
advisory committee on environmentally acceptable packaging. See also the Code Comparative Table.
204.70. Exemptions.
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, this chapter shall not apply to:
(a) Any packaging used at hospitals or nursing homes.
(b) Any packaging which is not environmentally acceptable, but for which there is no commercially
available alternative as determined by the environmental health division by rule promulgated pursuant
to section 204.50. In determining whether there are commercially available alternatives, the
environmental health division shall consider the following:
(1) The availability of environmentally acceptable packaging for affected products;
(2) The economic consequences to manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and other vendors of requiring
environmentally acceptable packaging when available; and
(3) The competitive effects on manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and other vendors involved in the
sale of product brands or labels available only in packaging that is not environmentally
acceptable packaging.
Every rule creating an exemption under this subsection (b) shall be reviewed annually by the
environmental health division to determine whether current conditions continue to warrant the
exemption.
(c) Front of the house exemption. The following food establishments shall be exempt from providing a
qualified recycling and/or organics collection system in the front of house, but shall otherwise remain
responsible for providing qualifying environmentally acceptable packaging:
(1) Mobile food vehicle, limited;
(2) Mobile food vehicle, non-profit free food distributor;
(3) Mobile food vehicle;
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(4) A food establishment where customer dishes and utensils are removed from the table by
restaurant employees only;
(5) Seasonal and short-term food establishments (permitted vendors), and food stands;
(6) Sidewalk cart food vendor; and
(7) Mobile food stores. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89; 90-Or-067, § 2, 2-23-90; 95-Or-044, § 1, 3-31-95;
96-Or-059, § 7, 6-28-96; 2013-Or-145, § 5, 12-6-13; Ord. No. 2019-054, § 2, 11-22-19)
204.80. Penalties.
Each violation of any provision of this chapter or of lawful regulations promulgated under section 204.50 hereof
shall be punishable as an administrative offense pursuant to Chapter 2 of this Code. Each day on which a violation
occurs constitutes a separate violation. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89; 2014-Or-023, § 7, 5-23-14)
204.90. License adverse action.
A violation of section 204.30 shall be sufficient grounds for the revocation, suspension, denial or nonrenewal of
any license for the food establishment at which the violation occurs. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89)
204.100. Severability.
If any part or provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person, entity, or circumstances shall be
adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its
operation to the part, provision or application which is directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment
shall have been rendered, and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this chapter or the
application thereof to other persons, entities, or circumstances. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89)
204.110. Effective date.
This ordinance shall take effect April 22, 2015. (89-Or-060, § 1, 3-31-89; 90-Or-067, § 3, 2-23-90; 2014-Or-023, § 8,
5-23-14)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community Development
763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax)
Golden Valley Environmental Commission Meeting
January 12, 2026
Agenda Item
5.B. Commissioner/Staff Communications
Prepared By
Ethan Kehrberg, Sustainability Specialist
Summary
Update of outdoor lighting ordinance [Chair Paul Klaas]
Audubon audit of Brookview golf course [Vice Chair Adam Wold]
Styrofoam/single-use plastics, bags, and containers [Commissioner Sarah Drawz]
Organics recycling [Commissioner Hannah Byl]
Staff and GreenCorps updates
34