Lighting Regulations in Berwyn, Illinois: Balancing Historic Character with Modern Safety Standards

Introduction: Berwyn's Lighting Legacy

Berwyn, Illinois, with its distinctive Chicago-style bungalows and rich architectural heritage dating back to the late 19th century, has developed lighting standards that reflect its unique character. As a vibrant suburb with approximately 54,000 residents, Berwyn's approach to lighting regulation strikes a delicate balance: preserving the historic charm that defines neighborhoods like "Swedetown" while ensuring modern safety and functionality.

These regulations emerged naturally from Berwyn's development pattern – a community shaped by railroad expansion, skilled Eastern European and Italian craftsmen, and a commitment to architectural preservation. Today's lighting standards reflect this history while addressing contemporary concerns about light pollution, energy efficiency, and neighborhood compatibility.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Before diving into specifics, here's a snapshot of Berwyn's most critical lighting requirements:

• Light Trespass Limits:
• Non-residential uses: Maximum 1 foot-candle at property lines
• Residential uses: Maximum 0.5 foot-candle at property lines
• Fixture Types:
• All new and replacement outdoor lighting must use full cut-off or fully shielded fixtures
• Prohibited: Flashing lights, strobe lights, and laser lights
• Maximum Height Restrictions:
• Non-residential: Light poles and building-mounted fixtures limited to 16 feet
• Residential: Light poles limited to 8 feet; building-mounted fixtures to 15 feet
• Educational/recreational facilities: Up to 60 feet allowed
• Sign Illumination:
• LED signs: Maximum 5,000 nits (day) and 150 nits (night)
• Non-LED signs: Maximum 1 foot-candle at curb line
• Most illuminated signs must be turned off from 11:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.

General Outdoor Lighting Standards

Purpose and Applicability

Berwyn's lighting regulations serve a clear purpose: to prevent light trespass, promote energy efficiency, and minimize light pollution. These standards apply to all new or replacement outdoor lighting, with exceptions made for holiday decorations and permitted temporary uses.

The Zoning Administrator may impose reasonable restrictions on outdoor lighting to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

Design Requirements for All Lighting

Berwyn's code emphasizes thoughtful lighting design with several key principles:

• Glare Prevention: All lighting must be designed to prevent glare and interference with residential properties and traffic (vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian)
• Shielding: All new and replacement outdoor lighting must employ full cut-off or fully shielded fixtures
• Facade Illumination: Building facade lighting must use fully shielded fixtures directed towards the facade, with all light concentrated on the exterior wall surface

Professional Planning Requirements

For non-residential properties, Berwyn requires:

• A photometric plan prepared by a licensed professional
• Approval by the Zoning Administrator prior to installation

Illumination Standards by Property Type

Non-Residential Properties

The code establishes clear limits for commercial and other non-residential properties:

• Maximum Light Level: 1 foot-candle at any point on a lot line
• Maximum Fixture Height: 16 feet for both pole-mounted and building-mounted lighting
• Special Cases: Educational and outdoor recreational facilities may have poles up to 60 feet tall, subject to site plan review

Residential Properties

For homes and residential buildings, stricter standards apply:

• Maximum Light Level: 0.5 foot-candle at any point on a lot line
• Maximum Fixture Height:
• Pole-mounted lights: 8 feet maximum
• Building-mounted fixtures: 15 feet maximum

Smart Lighting Controls

Berwyn encourages modern, efficient lighting technologies:

• Automatic Controls Required: All outdoor lighting on non-residential properties must use photo sensors, occupancy sensors, or timers
• Auto-Shut Off: Lights must automatically extinguish no more than one hour after business close (security lighting excepted)
• Technology Recommendation: The use of LED or similar energy-efficient technology is encouraged

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Cannabis-Related Businesses

Berwyn has specific security lighting requirements for various cannabis-related businesses:

• Interior and Exterior Lighting must be incorporated into site design for:
• Dispensing organizations
• Craft growers
• Processing organizations
• Infuser organizations

Gas Stations

Gas stations have unique requirements to prevent light pollution:

• Canopy Lighting: Must use recessed luminaires under the canopy
• Maximum Illumination: Cannot exceed 10 foot-candles at any location

Outdoor Sales Areas

For businesses with outdoor display areas:

• Maximum Illumination: Cannot exceed 10 foot-candles as measured at any location

Telecommunication Facilities

• Limited Lighting: Wireless telecommunication facilities or towers shall not include lights unless required by the FCC, FAA, or city

Sign Illumination Standards

Technical Requirements

Berwyn's code contains detailed specifications for illuminated signs:

• LED Lighting: Maximum 5,000 nits from dawn to dusk and 150 nits from dusk to dawn
• Non-LED Lighting: Maximum 1 foot-candle at any time as measured at the curb line
• Direction and Shielding: All sign illumination must be located, shielded, and directed to illuminate only the sign face
• Glare Prevention: No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials that would increase glare

Hours of Operation

• Nighttime Restrictions: Illuminated signs must be turned off from 11:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m., or 30 minutes after close of business, whichever is later
• Exemption: Businesses operating between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. are exempt during their hours of operation

Electronic and Digital Signs

• Message Changes: Electronic message signs can change messages no more than once every 10 seconds
• Transitions: Must be instantaneous between messages
• Static Display: Must display static messages with no flashing, blinking, strobing, traveling, chasing, rotating or changing intensity
• Failure Mode: Must default to static display if mechanical failure occurs

Light Trespass and Nuisance Prevention

Berwyn's regulations actively work to prevent lighting from becoming a neighborhood nuisance:

• No Off-Lot Glare: No activity shall generate glare or heat detectable at any point off the property
• Shielding Requirement: Light sources must be shielded to prevent nuisance across lot lines
• Tree Maintenance: Property owners must prune trees to prevent obstruction of street lighting

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning Your Lighting Project

When installing or updating outdoor lighting in Berwyn, remember these key points:

• Check fixture specifications before purchase to ensure they meet full cut-off or fully shielded requirements
• Measure heights carefully – exceeding the maximum heights can result in violations
• Consider light levels at property lines – testing with a light meter can help ensure compliance
• Install automatic controls for non-residential properties to ensure lights don't stay on unnecessarily

Maintaining Compliant Lighting

Once installed, proper maintenance ensures continued compliance:

• Regularly inspect fixtures for damage that might change light distribution patterns
• Maintain trees and vegetation to prevent interference with street lighting
• Replace failing automatic controls promptly to maintain proper on/off cycles
• Clean fixtures periodically to maintain design light levels (dirty fixtures can cause light scatter)

Supporting Berwyn's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, understands and values the same principles that guide Berwyn's approach to lighting regulation. As a manufacturer with deep experience in communities with rich architectural heritage like Berwyn, we appreciate the delicate balance between preserving historic character and meeting modern needs.

Berwyn's Chicago-style bungalows and diverse architectural styles present unique lighting challenges. Having worked with communities throughout the Midwest with similar preservation goals, Bock Lighting recognizes that proper lighting enhances rather than detracts from architectural features that make neighborhoods like "Swedetown" so distinctive.

Our commitment to educating property owners about lighting regulations aligns with Berwyn's community values. Whether you're illuminating a historic bungalow porch or planning lighting for a commercial property, understanding local regulations is crucial – and we're here as a resource to help navigate these requirements.

Like Berwyn itself, we believe that thoughtful, well-planned lighting can honor historical roots while embracing innovation that enhances safety, functionality, and community character.

Conclusion

Berwyn's lighting regulations reflect the city's commitment to preserving its unique character while ensuring safety and functionality for its approximately 54,000 residents. By establishing clear standards for light levels, fixture types, and placement, these regulations help maintain the distinctive feel of Berwyn's historic neighborhoods while preventing nuisance conditions.

Property owners who understand and follow these guidelines not only ensure compliance but contribute to the community's efforts to balance historic preservation with modern needs. The result is a more attractive, energy-efficient, and neighbor-friendly illumination throughout the city that respects Berwyn's rich architectural and cultural heritage.