Title
Citizen Request by Craig Weaver - Citywide
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to public comments made by Craig Weaver at the September 23, 2026, Formal City Council meeting regarding the lack of LED Lighting standards in the City of Phoenix Lighting Code.
Report
Summary
During public comment at the September 23, 2026, City Council meeting, Craig Weaver read a statement regarding the lack of LED lighting standards in the City of Phoenix Lighting Code. Mr. Weaver is advocating that the Planning and Development Department update the City lighting code “as soon as possible” to require 2700 Kelvin LED for all community outdoor lighting fixtures. This is the same requirement for City streetlights that was approved in 2016. The Planning and Development Department provides the following information in response to Mr. Weaver’s comments.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Weaver has engaged the Planning and Development Department for the last few years regarding a potential update to the City's outdoor lighting standards. In response, staff has included the update in a list of potential amendments to the Phoenix City Code. Since 2024, staff has presented the list in what has been referred to as the "Text Amendment Work Program" to the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee, as well as in individual briefings with the Mayor and members of the Phoenix City Council. The Work Program includes more than a dozen potential amendments, and to date, the proposed outdoor lighting code update has not been identified as top priority.
As noted in Mr. Weaver's comments, the Planning and Development Department has been applying the requested lighting standards to applicable rezoning cases. For example, the 2700 Kelvin standard was incorporated into the North Park PUD, which establishes the land use regulatory framework for more than 6,000 acres near the southwest corner of the Loop 303 and I-17.
CURRENT STATUS
Following the City Council meeting, the Planning and Development Department contacted Mr. Weaver to discuss the latest iteration of his proposed code amendment. Mr. Weaver provided draft language for potential inclusion in Chapter 23 of the Phoenix City Code and indicated he is continuing to refine his proposal as he meets with Council staff.
The department is finalizing an update to the Work Program for discussion with the Phoenix City Council before the end of this year. Mr. Weaver's most recent proposed amendment to the Phoenix City Code on outdoor lighting standards will be incorporated in the Work Program. The update will outline alternative approaches that may accelerate completion of the proposed code changes. The City Council will have the opportunity to provide direction on when staff should initiate the update in relation to other City Council text amendment priorities included in the Work Program.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Planning and Development Department.