Lighting Regulations in Lisle, Illinois: Balancing Modern Development with Community Character

Introduction

Established in 1832 by James and Luther Hatch, Lisle has evolved from a small settlement to a vibrant village that balances its historical roots with modern development needs. The arrival of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad in 1864 marked a significant turning point in Lisle's development, fostering growth while maintaining community character.

Today, with approximately 23,000 residents, Lisle continues to honor this balance through thoughtful municipal regulations, including those governing outdoor lighting. These regulations reflect the village's commitment to preserving its visual character, minimizing light pollution, and promoting environmentally responsible development practices while ensuring safety and functionality.

Quick Reference Guide: Lisle Lighting Regulations

General Outdoor Lighting Requirements

• Maximum Light Trespass:
• 0.10 foot-candles at residential property lines
• 1.00 foot-candles at non-residential property lines
• Color Temperature: All light sources must be 4,000 Kelvins or less
• Prohibited: Flickering lights, flashing lights, and laser source lights
• Required: Shielding to prevent light spillover to adjacent properties

Signage Lighting Limits

• Maximum Illumination: 30 foot-candles measured 4 feet from any sign
• Changeable Copy Displays:
• Maximum 5,000 nits during daylight
• Maximum 250 nits between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise

Special Use Requirements

• Sexually Oriented Businesses: Minimum 150 foot-candles illumination at floor level
• Sports & Recreational Lighting: Must follow IES RP-6-15 standards
• Home Occupations: Lighting must not alter residential character

Outdoor Lighting Standards

General Requirements

Lisle's outdoor lighting regulations apply to all new outdoor lighting installations and replacements of existing fixtures. The village prioritizes preventing light pollution and ensuring appropriate lighting levels for safety and functionality.

Property owners must be mindful that their lighting installations don't create nuisance conditions for neighbors. This balance between providing adequate illumination while respecting neighboring properties reflects Lisle's community values.

Light Trespass Limitations

Light trespass occurs when light spills beyond the intended area, potentially disturbing neighbors. Lisle has established specific limits:

• Residential Boundaries: Light must not exceed 0.10 foot-candles at any point on a property line abutting a residential zoning district or residential use
• Non-residential Boundaries: Light must not exceed 1.00 foot-candles at the right-of-way line or property line abutting a non-residential district or use
• Changeable Copy Displays: These must not cause light levels to exceed 0.10 foot-candles above ambient light along property lines adjoining residentially zoned property

Technical Specifications

All outdoor lighting in Lisle must conform to these technical requirements:

• Shielding: All light sources must be shielded to prevent light and glare spillover
• Color Temperature: Must not exceed 4,000 Kelvins
• Prohibited Light Types: Flickering lights, flashing lights, and laser source lights are not permitted
• Sports & Recreational Lighting: Must follow the Illuminating Engineering Society's Sports and Recreational Area Lighting standards (IES RP-6-15)

Documentation Requirements

For commercial and multi-family developments, Lisle requires professional documentation:

• Photometric Plan: Must be submitted with building permit applications for installation, replacement, or alteration of outdoor lighting
• Professional Certification: Plan must be stamped and certified by a licensed professional
• Outdoor Lighting Plan: Required as part of final plat of subdivision applications when applicable under the Zoning Ordinance

Sign Illumination Standards

Permitted Illumination Types

Lisle allows several methods for illuminating signs, giving business owners flexibility while maintaining community standards:

• External illumination
• Internally illuminated individual channel letter signage
• Bare bulb signage

Illumination Restrictions

To prevent signs from becoming visual nuisances, Lisle enforces these limitations:

• Maximum Brightness: Signs must produce no more than 30 foot-candles of illumination when measured 4 feet from the sign
• Light Direction: External illumination sources must be located, shielded, and directed so they're not visible from streets or residences
• Design Requirements: For internally illuminated signs, only individual letters or logos may be illuminated; all other portions must be opaque
• Prohibited Features: No exposed reflective bulbs or strobe lights

Digital/Changeable Copy Display Requirements

Electronic message boards and similar digital displays must meet additional standards:

• Automatic Dimming: Must include light detectors/photocells that automatically adjust brightness based on ambient light conditions
• Maximum Brightness:
• Daytime: 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter)
• Nighttime: 250 nits (between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise)
• Factory Pre-setting: Manufacturers must certify that light intensity is factory pre-set not to exceed maximum brightness levels
• Verification Method: Village will measure compliance using a luminance meter with the display set to run full white copy

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Sexually Oriented Businesses

Lisle requires exceptionally high illumination in sexually oriented businesses:

• Minimum Illumination: 150 foot-candles measured at floor level throughout all public areas, including restrooms
• Continuous Operation: This illumination level must be maintained whenever patrons are present
• Power Failure Protocol: Business must stop operating and clear all patrons until minimum illumination is restored

Home Occupations

Residents operating businesses from their homes must ensure lighting doesn't impact the residential character:

• Lighting must not cause the premises to differ from its residential character
• Lighting should not create nuisance conditions for neighbors

Tower Structures

• Tower structure lighting is prohibited unless specifically required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other appropriate authority

Sports and Recreational Lighting

• Must follow Illuminating Engineering Society standards (IES RP-6-15)
• Special Use Permit: Required for sports and recreational lighting adjacent to residential zoning districts

What Property Owners Should Know

Residential Properties

Most residential outdoor lighting is generally exempt from Lisle's comprehensive lighting regulations. However, even for residential properties:

• Flickering lights, flashing lights, and laser source lights are prohibited
• All light sources must be shielded to prevent light and glare spillover to adjacent properties and rights-of-way

Commercial Properties

Business owners should be particularly attentive to:

• Documentation Requirements: Photometric plans required for new installations or significant modifications
• Property Line Measurements: Ensure lighting design accounts for maximum foot-candle limitations at property boundaries
• Color Temperature Compliance: Verify all fixtures meet the 4,000 Kelvin maximum requirement
• Signage Compliance: Particularly for digital signs, ensure automatic dimming features are functional

Exemptions

Several lighting types are exempt from Lisle's general outdoor lighting regulations:

• Public street lights
• Swimming pool and water feature lighting governed by building codes
• Exit signs and egress illumination required by building codes
• Stair and ramp lighting required by building codes
• Temporary holiday lighting
• Low-voltage landscape lighting

Supporting Lisle's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the delicate balance communities like Lisle strive to achieve between modern lighting needs and preserving community character. As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with experience in communities that value their historical identity, we appreciate Lisle's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations.

Our expertise in regional architectural styles and lighting needs aligns with Lisle's commitment to maintaining its distinctive character while embracing necessary modern technology. We recognize that proper lighting enhances safety and functionality without compromising the village's aesthetic values.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for communities navigating lighting regulations, helping property owners understand technical requirements like color temperature limitations and light trespass prevention. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices mirrors Lisle's environmental stewardship goals.

As communities like Lisle continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to supporting lighting solutions that respect local character, regulations, and community needs. Our local presence enables us to better understand the specific requirements that make Lisle's lighting approach unique.

Conclusion

Lisle's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to balancing growth with preservation of community character. By establishing clear standards for light levels, spillover, and technical specifications, the village ensures that lighting enhances safety and functionality without creating nuisance conditions.

Property owners benefit from understanding these regulations before installing or modifying outdoor lighting. While the technical aspects may seem complex, they serve the practical purpose of creating a more livable community with appropriate lighting that respects neighboring properties.

As Lisle continues to grow and develop, these thoughtful lighting standards will help maintain the village's distinctive character while meeting modern needs for illumination, safety, and energy efficiency.