Lighting Regulations in East Chicago, Indiana: Balancing Industrial Heritage with Modern Standards

Introduction: East Chicago's Lighting Legacy

East Chicago, Indiana, established in 1889 as an industrial powerhouse near Lake Michigan, has evolved from its "Twin City" origins into a unified municipality that balances its rich industrial heritage with modern urban needs. The city's approach to lighting regulations reflects this balance, with policies designed to maintain safety and functionality while respecting the community's distinct character.

With historic areas like Marktown—a planned worker community from 1917 that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places—East Chicago demonstrates a commitment to preserving its architectural heritage. This commitment extends to how the city manages its lighting infrastructure, which serves both practical and aesthetic purposes for its approximately 30,000 residents.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Governing Authority: Electric and Light Division under the Board of Public Works and Safety supervises all street lighting systems
• Light Trespass Limits: Maximum 0.10 foot-candles at residential property lines
• Commercial Property Illumination: Maximum 2.0 foot-candles at non-residential property boundaries
• Pole Height Restrictions:
• 23 feet in residential districts (dark-sky fixtures required)
• 25 feet in commercial districts
• 32 feet in industrial districts
• Light Loss Factor: Minimum 0.75 to maximum 0.8 for all uses
• Car Dealership Standards: Special provisions for feature display areas (75 foot-candles maximum) and merchandise areas (50 foot-candles maximum)
• Security Lighting: Specific requirements in effect from 10:00 p.m. until sunrise

Street Lighting Administration and Management

Authority and Oversight

The Electric and Light Division, operating under the Board of Public Works and Safety, holds primary responsibility for East Chicago's lighting infrastructure. This division:

• Supervises maintenance, management, and improvement of the street lighting system
• Oversees electric systems in all city buildings and structures
• Recommends improvements where lighting is inadequate or inefficient
• Prepares specifications for electrical materials or apparatus

Street Lamp Installation and Protection

All street lamp posts and lamps in East Chicago must be erected by the city electrician, who maintains control over these fixtures. The city code specifically prohibits:

• Breaking, defacing, or damaging any street light
• Tying animals to lamp posts
• Hanging merchandise on lamp posts
• Placing boxes, wood, or heavy materials against street lamps
• Removing lamp posts without permission from the city electrician

Important: Unauthorized extinguishing of street lights is explicitly prohibited by §130.007, which makes it unlawful for any person without proper authority to put out street lights or turn off their electricity supply.

Commercial and Retail Lighting Standards

General Standards for Commercial Properties

East Chicago requires all exterior lighting to be designed with specific illumination limits:

• At Property Lines:
• 0.50 foot-candles at adjoining rights-of-way
• 10.0 foot-candles at major/minor arterial rights-of-way
• 0.10 foot-candles at residential boundaries
• 2.0 foot-candles at non-residential boundaries

Car Dealership Specific Requirements

The city has developed detailed standards for automotive dealerships:

• Circulation Areas: 10 foot-candles average (including customer parking, employee parking, and entrance areas)
• Feature Display Areas: 75 foot-candles maximum (first row of vehicles adjacent to major/minor arterials)
• Merchandise Areas: 50 foot-candles maximum
• Security Lighting: From 10:00 p.m. until sunrise – 50 foot-candles maximum, 10 foot-candles average

Technical Requirements:

• Sag lenses prohibited on all car dealership luminaries (existing fixtures are grandfathered until 10% replacement threshold)
• All new fixtures must have flat lenses
• Light shields must be made of non-reflective material

Residential and Mixed-Use Lighting Regulations

Residential Property Standards

For residential properties, East Chicago mandates:

• Maximum 0.10 foot-candles at property boundaries between residential properties
• Light poles no taller than 23 feet in residential districts
• Dark-sky light fixtures required in residential areas
• Decorative seasonal lighting limited to 75 watts or less

Home Occupation Considerations

For home-based businesses, the regulations specifically note:

• No exterior signs except small (one square foot) non-illuminated name plates
• No offensive glare may be produced

Mixed-Use Development Lighting

For mixed-use areas and planned unit developments:

• Light poles limited to 25 feet in commercial parts of residential planned unit developments
• Lighting must be shielded to prevent disability glare and light trespass
• "Wallpack" type fixtures are not permitted

Technical Specifications for Light Measurement

East Chicago's code provides specific guidance on measuring and designing light installations:

• Light Measurement Method:
• Light levels measured in foot-candles with a direct reading, portable light meter
• Horizontal measurements taken at 3.5 feet above ground
• Both direct and indirect light must be measured
• Light Loss Factor Requirements:
• Minimum LLF of 0.75
• Maximum LLF of 0.8
• Applies to all uses throughout the city
• Engineering Standards:
• Lighting must comply with Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) standards
• Exterior lighting plans required for all new installations except one- and two-family dwellings

Special Use Lighting Regulations

Outdoor Recreational Facilities

Lighting for ball diamonds, playing fields, and tennis courts must be:

• Shielded to minimize light and glare spilling onto adjacent properties
• Limited to maximum 1 foot-candle illumination at adjoining residential property lines
• Limited to maximum 2 foot-candles at adjoining non-residential property lines

Signage Illumination

For illuminated signs, the city requires:

• Steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign or internal to it
• No exposed reflective bulbs or strobe lights
• Metal halide bulbs for illuminated signs
• Maximum 30 foot-candles of illumination measured 4 feet from the sign
• External light sources must be located, shielded, and directed to prevent visibility from public streets or residences

What Property Owners Should Know

Compliance and Documentation

When planning new lighting installations or modifications, property owners should:

• Prepare a comprehensive lighting plan for any exterior lighting associated with multi-family residential or commercial properties
• Include location of fixtures, intensity measurements, catalog cuts, and a summary table with all required specifications
• Obtain certification from both the property owner and plan preparer
• Ensure all lighting elements like wires and junction boxes are concealed from view when possible

Non-Conforming Lighting

Existing non-conforming luminaires are generally protected by:

• Grandfather clauses allowing repair and maintenance of existing fixtures
• Requirements to upgrade only when fixtures are moved, damaged beyond repair, or when property undergoes significant development (10% or greater increase)
• Provisions for City Planner approval of designs within 20% of required values

Supporting East Chicago's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares East Chicago's commitment to balancing industrial heritage with modern functionality. We understand the unique challenges of communities like East Chicago that seek to preserve their historical industrial character while implementing practical lighting solutions.

Our expertise in lighting for diverse environments aligns with East Chicago's regulatory approach that differentiates requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial zones. With experience serving communities throughout the Midwest, Bock Lighting appreciates how East Chicago's regulations reflect both practical safety concerns and aesthetic considerations that honor the city's distinctive industrial past.

As a resource for understanding complex lighting regulations, we help property owners navigate requirements like foot-candle measurements, light trespass limitations, and fixture specifications. Our commitment to community education on lighting regulations supports East Chicago's vision for appropriately lit spaces that respect both public safety and neighborhood character.

Conclusion

East Chicago's lighting regulations demonstrate the city's thoughtful approach to illumination that respects its industrial heritage while implementing modern standards. From the detailed requirements for commercial properties to the protection of residential areas from light trespass, these regulations create a framework for appropriate lighting throughout the city.

Property owners should pay particular attention to technical specifications regarding illumination levels, fixture heights, and light trespass limits when planning lighting installations. By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses can contribute to East Chicago's vision of a well-lit community that honors its unique character and history.