Lighting Regulations in Broadview, Illinois: A Guide to Compliance and Community Standards

Introduction

Nestled in Cook County, Broadview, Illinois, has evolved from its railroad depot origins into a thriving suburban community of nearly 8,000 residents. As the village has grown over the past century, it has developed a pragmatic approach to urban planning that balances development needs with community character. This approach is evident in Broadview's lighting regulations, which aim to enhance safety and visibility while respecting the village's aesthetic and environmental considerations.

The village's diverse population and mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas have shaped lighting regulations that serve multiple purposes: ensuring public safety, maintaining aesthetic standards, preventing light pollution, and fostering a sense of community. Understanding these regulations is essential for property owners, businesses, and developers operating within Broadview.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Residential Yard Lights:
• Maximum height: 7'6"
• Maximum illumination at side lot line: 0.5 foot-candle
• Business Hours Illumination:
• Liquor establishments must remain fully illuminated during business hours
• Coin-operated car washes require dusk-to-dawn illumination (interior and exterior)
• Sign Illumination Restrictions:
• Signs near residential areas cannot be illuminated between midnight and 7 AM
• No flashing, blinking, or animated lighting features
• Many specific requirements by sign type (detailed below)
• Emergency Lighting:
• Regular testing required: 30-minute monthly load tests for generators
• Battery packs: 30-second monthly tests and 30-minute annual tests
• Documentation of testing must be maintained
• Electronic Changeable Copy Signs:
• Maximum daytime luminance: 7,500 lumens per square meter
• Maximum nighttime luminance: 500 lumens per square meter
• Automatic dimming controls required

Residential Lighting Regulations

Freestanding Yard Lights

Broadview's regulations for residential front yard lighting focus on maintaining neighborhood character while ensuring safety:

• Height restrictions: Freestanding yard lights in front yards must not exceed 7 feet 6 inches in height
• Light spread control: Illumination may not increase more than 0.5 foot-candle at the side lot line

Home Occupation Considerations

If you operate a home-based business, be aware that lighting associated with your business must not:

• Cause offensive glare
• Create safety hazards for nearby properties
• Become a nuisance to neighbors

Additionally, no exterior signage with lighting for home-based businesses is permitted.

Trees and Street Lighting

Property owners have specific responsibilities regarding trees and street lighting:

• Pruning requirement: Trees overhanging streets must be pruned to avoid obstructing street lamps
• Village authority: The village has the right to prune trees on private property if they interfere with streetlights
• Safety considerations: The Director of Public Works may enter private property to address trees obstructing streetlights or posing safety hazards

Commercial Lighting Requirements

Business-Specific Requirements

Certain businesses have specific lighting mandates:

Liquor Establishments

• Interior visibility: Lighting must be arranged to allow full view of the interior from the street
• Continuous illumination: All rooms where liquor is sold must be continuously lighted during business hours
• Light quality: Must use natural light or artificial white light

Coin-Operated Car Washes

• Operating hours: Both interior and exterior must be illuminated from dusk until dawn

Parking Area Lighting

Off-street parking areas must adhere to specific lighting controls:

• Directional control: Lighting must be directed away from residential properties
• Cutoff angle: Light should have a total cutoff at an angle less than 90°
• Shielding requirement: Light sources must be shielded from direct view at 5 feet above ground

Holiday and Decorative Lighting

• Temporary displays: Exterior strings of lights or exposed light bulbs are permitted only for civic, patriotic, or religious holidays
• Duration limit: Such displays may not exceed 60 days

Signage Lighting Regulations

General Sign Illumination Rules

Broadview maintains strict controls on sign lighting:

• Residential area protection: Signs must be shaded to avoid casting bright light upon residential districts
• Nighttime restrictions: Illuminated signs visible from residential districts cannot operate between midnight and 7 AM
• Internal illumination design: For internally lit signs, light must shine fully through only the lettering and graphic elements
• Prohibited features: No flashing, blinking, undulating, or rotating illumination

Sign Type-Specific Requirements

Internally Illuminated Signs Only

• Canopy/marquee signs
• Under-canopy signs
• Pole signs

Internally or Externally Illuminated Signs

• Ground signs
• Wall signs

Wall Sign Illumination Specifications

• Wash lighting options:
• Individual fixtures recessed in horizontal housing above the sign, or
• Gooseneck lights with metal shades
• Fixture spacing: Wash-lighting fixtures must be positioned at least 3 feet apart
• Light distribution: Must provide even lighting
• Mansard roof restriction: No illumination of the roof itself

Prohibited Illumination

• Awning signs may not be illuminated
• Temporary signs may not be illuminated

Electronic Changeable Copy Signs

These digital signs have specific technical requirements:

Display Requirements

• Static display only: No animation, video, or motion effects
• Message duration: Each message must display for a minimum of 10 seconds
• Transition effects: Immediate transitions with no fade, dissolve, scroll or travel effects

Brightness Controls

• Automatic dimming: Must contain automatic dimmers using ambient and direct light photocells
• Daytime maximum: 7,500 lumens per square meter
• Nighttime maximum: 500 lumens per square meter from dusk to sunrise
• Backup systems: Must include a backup system with sunrise/sunset almanac
• Failure protection: Display must turn dark if malfunctioning

Emergency and Safety Lighting

Building Safety Requirements

• Exit and emergency lighting: Regular testing and documentation required
• Address visibility: Street numbers must be at least 4 inches high with 0.5-inch stroke width
• Detector indicators: Remote indicating lights required for detectors in concealed spaces

Fire Safety Lighting

• Detector indicators: Smoke/heat detectors must have steady red indicator lights
• External warning lights: Weatherproof strobes required (red for general alarm, white for water flow alerts)

Supporting Broadview's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, understands the balance that communities like Broadview strive to achieve between development and preservation of community character. Our experience with diverse suburban communities gives us insight into the practical challenges of implementing lighting solutions that meet both regulatory requirements and community expectations.

We appreciate Broadview's pragmatic approach to lighting regulations, which emphasizes both safety and aesthetic considerations. Our team is committed to helping Broadview residents and businesses navigate these regulations through education and guidance.

As lighting technology evolves, Bock Lighting remains dedicated to solutions that respect community standards while embracing innovations that enhance energy efficiency and lighting quality. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs positions us as a resource for those seeking to comply with Broadview's specific lighting requirements.

Conclusion

Broadview's lighting regulations reflect the village's commitment to balanced development that serves its diverse population while maintaining community character. From residential yard lights to commercial signage, these regulations aim to enhance safety, preserve aesthetics, and prevent nuisance lighting.

Property owners and businesses should familiarize themselves with the specific lighting requirements applicable to their properties and operations. When planning new installations or modifications, consulting with village officials early in the process can help ensure compliance and avoid costly corrections.

Through thoughtful implementation of these lighting standards, Broadview continues its tradition of pragmatic urban planning that serves the needs of all its residents while preserving the village's unique character for future generations.