Lighting Regulations in Bedford Park, Illinois: Balancing Industrial Needs with Community Safety

Introduction

Bedford Park, Illinois stands as a unique testament to the power of industrial development. Established in the early 20th century, this village has evolved with a clear industrial focus, housing numerous manufacturing facilities while maintaining a small residential footprint of approximately 200 homes.

The village's distinctive character—balancing industrial prowess with community services—directly influences its approach to lighting regulations. With thousands of workers commuting daily to industrial facilities nestled between railroad yards and manufacturing plants, Bedford Park's lighting requirements reflect its practical needs while addressing safety concerns.

As part of the Illinois Enterprise Zone and the Illinois and Michigan Heritage Canal Corridor, Bedford Park's regulations balance industrial functionality with community standards and historical significance.

Quick Reference Guide to Bedford Park Lighting Regulations

• Fully Shielded Light Fixtures Required: No light rays permitted above horizontal plane
• High-Output Fixtures: Fixtures over 14,000 initial lumens must have no protruding lenses/globes
• Pedestrian Areas: Must be well-lit with focused walkway and sitting area illumination
• Decorative Lighting: Strongly encouraged as supplemental lighting
• Emergency Lighting: Required in spaces over 2,000 sq. ft. with 20+ occupants
• Industrial Areas: Lighting must not create offensive glare to adjacent properties
• Special Use Properties: Additional lighting requirements for specific businesses

Industrial Lighting Requirements

Preventing Light Pollution and Glare

Bedford Park's industrial heritage is reflected in lighting regulations designed to prevent adverse effects on neighboring properties. In the H-1 Heavy Manufacturing District, all operations—including lighting—must not be:

• Injurious or offensive to adjacent premises
• Disruptive to nearby residential districts
• Creators of glare that affects surrounding properties

Manufacturing Lighting Standards

Bedford Park specifically mentions lighting fixtures as part of the permitted manufacturing operations in certain districts. This acknowledgment of lighting production aligns with the village's industrial focus while ensuring proper implementation.

The village's definition of "fully shielded outdoor light fixture" specifies requirements for outdoor lighting installations:

• Light fixtures must be constructed so no light rays emit at angles above the horizontal plane
• This must be verified by a photometric test report or manufacturer certification
• Any structural shielding components must be permanently affixed

Commercial and Pedestrian Lighting

Pedestrian Area Illumination

For areas where pedestrians gather, Bedford Park has specific recommendations:

• All pedestrian-use areas should be well-lighted
• Fixtures should focus specifically on walkways and sitting areas
• The goal is creating safe, navigable spaces for pedestrians

Decorative Lighting Guidelines

Bedford Park encourages aesthetic lighting to enhance the visual environment:

• Decorative lighting fixtures that supplement general lighting are strongly encouraged
• These should complement all development projects
• The emphasis is on both functionality and visual appeal

Glare Mitigation Requirements

To prevent hazardous glare, especially in public areas:

• Fixtures visible from public right-of-way with output greater than 14,000 initial lumens must:
• Have no lenses or globes protruding below the fixture shell
• Be positioned generally parallel with the ground
• Exception: General street lighting is exempt from these requirements

Safety and Emergency Lighting

Emergency Power Requirements

Safety lighting is paramount in Bedford Park's regulations:

• Emergency power supplies required in:
• Rooms/spaces over 2,000 square feet with occupancy of 20+
• Stairways
• Corridors
• Access routes
• Other exit components
• Must come from independent, approved reliable sources (battery or automatic starting generator)

Habitability Standards

Bedford Park considers lighting essential to building safety:

• Dwellings or businesses cannot be kept in conditions unfit for human habitation
• Inadequate lighting is specifically mentioned alongside building code and fire prevention violations
• Property owners must maintain adequate lighting systems to meet habitability standards

Open Flame and Light Regulations

For fire safety, the village specifies:

• No open flames or lights permitted that could ignite flammable materials
• Heating or lighting apparatus must be well adhered in permanently mounted glass globes or similar approved devices

Special Use Property Requirements

Adult Business Lighting

Bedford Park has specific lighting requirements for adult entertainment venues:

• Adult motion picture arcade booths/stalls must be lighted sufficiently to ensure persons are visible from adjacent public rooms
• Lighting cannot be so intense that it prevents viewing of entertainment
• The planning commission may impose additional lighting conditions on adult use developments

Cannabis Business Requirements

For cannabis establishments, the village may require:

• Enhanced security lighting as specified in conditional use permits
• Lighting installations that ensure safety of employees and customers
• These requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis

Taxicab Identification

While primarily a vehicle regulation, Bedford Park requires:

• Taxis must have a lighted dome light on the roof identifying the vehicle as a taxicab

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance Priorities

Property owners in Bedford Park should focus on:

• Installing fully shielded fixtures for all outdoor lighting
• Ensuring no light trespass onto neighboring properties
• Providing adequate emergency lighting in applicable spaces
• Avoiding protruding lenses in high-output fixtures
• Maintaining lighting systems as part of overall building safety

Balancing Function and Aesthetics

Bedford Park's regulations encourage a balance:

• Functional lighting for safety and security
• Decorative elements to enhance visual appeal
• Focused illumination in pedestrian areas
• All while minimizing glare and light pollution

Supporting Bedford Park's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the unique balance Bedford Park seeks to maintain between industrial functionality and community standards. As a manufacturer with deep Midwest roots, we appreciate the village's commitment to providing quality services while supporting industrial growth.

Our expertise aligns with Bedford Park's practical approach—focusing on safety, functionality, and appropriate aesthetics. We understand the challenges of properly lighting industrial properties while preventing light trespass and glare that could affect neighboring areas.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for communities like Bedford Park, helping property owners navigate lighting regulations while respecting the village's industrial character. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices supports Bedford Park's vision of balanced development.

With our regional presence and understanding of industrial lighting needs, we can help maintain Bedford Park's distinctive character while ensuring compliance with local standards.

Conclusion

Bedford Park's lighting regulations reflect its unique character as an industrial-focused village with a small residential footprint. The requirements prioritize safety, functionality, and prevention of nuisance lighting, particularly in industrial zones.

Rather than extensive aesthetic requirements, Bedford Park focuses on practical considerations—ensuring proper shielding, preventing glare, providing adequate emergency lighting, and maintaining habitability standards.

Property owners should approach lighting with these priorities in mind, understanding that Bedford Park's regulations aim to support industrial operations while maintaining appropriate standards for safety and consideration of neighboring properties.