Lighting Regulations in La Grange Park, Illinois: Balancing Historical Character with Modern Needs

Introduction: Preserving La Grange Park's Residential Charm

La Grange Park, established in the late 19th century, began as a tranquil residential village founded by Franklin D. Cossitt. From its inception, the community emphasized homes, schools, and churches while limiting commercial development to maintain residential tranquility. This architectural heritage, with influences from Prairie School, Late Victorian, and Queen Anne styles, has shaped the village's approach to development regulations, including those governing exterior lighting.

Today, with approximately 13,475 residents, La Grange Park continues to balance modern needs with historic preservation. The village's lighting regulations reflect this commitment to maintaining residential character while ensuring safety and functionality.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into details, here are the most critical lighting regulations to know in La Grange Park:

• Light Trespass Limits:
• Maximum 0.5 footcandles at residential property lines
• Maximum 1 footcandle at non-residential property lines
• Maximum 1 footcandle at public right-of-way lines
• Height Restrictions:
• Residential dwelling-mounted fixtures: Maximum 15 feet above grade
• Single/two-family residential light poles: Maximum 8 feet
• Multi-family/townhouse/non-residential light poles in residential districts: Maximum 12 feet
• Light poles in non-residential districts: Maximum 16 feet
• Educational facilities/outdoor recreational lighting: Maximum 60 feet
• Gas Station Lighting:
• Canopy luminaires must be recessed
• Maximum 10 footcandles light intensity under canopies
• Prohibited Lighting:
• Unshielded lighting (except temporarily for approved events)
• Glare that could disturb vehicle operators
• Lights that could be confused with traffic control devices

Understanding Light Trespass Regulations

Protecting Neighbors from Light Intrusion

Light trespass—unwanted light that spills onto neighboring properties—is a primary concern in La Grange Park's regulations. The village has established clear metrics to prevent this nuisance.

Specific Measurement Requirements

Light levels must not exceed 0.5 footcandles at any residential property line and 1 footcandle at any non-residential property line or public right-of-way. These measurements ensure that lighting remains on the property where it belongs without creating disturbances for neighbors.

Business Lighting Requirements

All business establishments open to the public must be adequately lit at nighttime. However, these lights must be shaded or regulated to prevent them from shining on adjacent property. This balance ensures both safety and consideration for neighboring properties.

Height and Fixture Regulations

Residential Height Limitations

La Grange Park strictly regulates the height of lighting fixtures in residential areas:

• Fixtures mounted on single-family, two-family, or townhouse dwellings cannot exceed 15 feet above grade
• Light poles for single and two-family dwellings cannot exceed 8 feet in height
• Light poles for multi-family, townhouse, and non-residential uses in residential districts cannot exceed 12 feet

Commercial and Special Use Height Restrictions

For non-residential areas, different standards apply:

• Light poles and building-mounted fixtures in non-residential districts must be designed with fully shielded luminaires and cannot exceed 16 feet in height
• Educational facilities and public outdoor recreational facilities have more flexibility, with poles allowed up to 60 feet in height

Shielding Requirements

Non-residential districts require fully shielded luminaires for both pole-mounted and building-mounted fixtures. This requirement helps direct light downward where it's needed rather than outward or upward.

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Gas Station Lighting Standards

Gas stations have specific lighting requirements to balance visibility with minimal light pollution:

• Canopies must be designed with luminaires recessed under the canopy
• Light intensity directly under the canopy cannot exceed 10 footcandles at any location
• All lighting mounted under the canopy, including auxiliary lighting within signage and pump panels, counts toward this limit

ATM Lighting Requirements

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) must comply with:

• The Automated Teller Machine Security Act (ILCS Ch. 205, Act 695 §§ 1 et seq.)
• ATMs in drive-through facilities must use recessed luminaires under any canopy to minimize light pollution

Drive-Through Facility Considerations

Drive-through facilities face additional requirements:

• No exterior lighting may produce glare into surrounding areas or residential premises
• Drive aisles must be effectively screened to minimize the impact of exterior site lighting and headlight glare

Sign Illumination Standards

Allowed Illumination Methods

La Grange Park permits specific types of sign lighting:

• Goose-neck reflectors are permitted for signs if they concentrate illumination on the sign face only
• Monument signs may only be externally illuminated
• Projecting signs may be externally illuminated or internally illuminated
• Wall signs may have gooseneck reflectors or internal illumination

Light Containment Requirements

All sign illumination must be:

• Designed, located, shielded, and directed to prevent casting glare or direct light upon adjacent roadways and properties
• Configured to avoid distracting operators of vehicles or pedestrians in the public right-of-way
• Limited to no greater than 1 footcandle at any property line

Electronic Message Signs

For electronic displays, additional rules apply:

• No illumination from electronic message signs may glare into residential premises
• Electronic message signs must not interfere with safe movement of motor vehicles
• Electronic display screens are prohibited

Safety and Construction Lighting

Construction Site Safety Lighting

Several regulations govern lighting for construction and maintenance activities:

• Barricades for street work must be protected by lights at nighttime
• Excavations in streets or alleys must be guarded by barricades and lights
• Construction materials stored on public property must have sufficient warning lights or flares
• It's unlawful to turn off, extinguish, diminish, or disturb any required safety light or barricade

Fire Safety Lighting Requirements

Fire safety systems have specific lighting components:

• A red 75 cd, weather-proof strobe light must be provided above fire department connections
• Where NFPA 13D systems are installed, a clear 75 cd waterproof audio visual device must be installed on the building front

What Property Owners Should Know

Plan Review Requirements

The Village Engineer and Director of Fire and Building jointly review and approve all commercial, industrial, and residential site improvements, including parking lot lighting. Site plan reviews must include details of exterior lighting, and site illumination must be designed to minimize adverse impact on adjacent properties.

Maintaining Community Character

When planning exterior lighting, remember that La Grange Park evaluates whether "the location and arrangement of structures, parking areas, walks, lighting and appurtenant facilities are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and adjacent land uses."

Common Violations to Avoid

The most common lighting violations include:

• Unshielded lighting (except during approved temporary events)
• Light that produces glare affecting motor vehicle operators
• Lighting that could be confused with traffic control devices
• Exceeding height limits for light poles
• Light trespass beyond allowable footcandle limits

Supporting La Grange Park's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, shares La Grange Park's commitment to balancing safety, functionality, and preservation of community character. Our understanding of regional architectural styles, including the Prairie School, Late Victorian, and Queen Anne influences prevalent in La Grange Park, informs our approach to lighting solutions.

We appreciate La Grange Park's thoughtful regulations that maintain the village's historical ambiance while accommodating modern needs. As a resource for community members navigating these regulations, we focus on educational support that helps property owners understand how lighting choices impact neighborhood character.

Bock's experience with communities that value their historical heritage enables us to provide guidance on lighting solutions that respect La Grange Park's architectural integrity and residential tranquility—values that have been central to the village since Franklin D. Cossitt established it in the late 19th century.

Conclusion

La Grange Park's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to preserving residential tranquility while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality. The village's approach balances modern needs with respect for its historical character and architectural heritage.

By understanding and following these lighting requirements, property owners contribute to maintaining La Grange Park's distinctive character—a character shaped by more than a century of thoughtful development that prioritizes homes, schools, and community spaces.

Whether you're planning a new construction project, renovating an existing property, or simply updating exterior lighting, these regulations provide a framework for lighting that serves its purpose while respecting the village's residential nature and historical significance.