Lighting Regulations in Marissa, Illinois: Preserving Small-Town Character Through Thoughtful Illumination

Introduction

Marissa, Illinois, with its rich history dating back to 1867, has evolved from its horse-and-buggy days while maintaining its small-town charm. This village in St. Clair County, with a population of approximately 2,468, has carefully developed regulations that balance modern lighting needs with its historical character.

The lighting regulations in Marissa reflect the community's commitment to preserving its architectural heritage while ensuring public safety and comfort. These standards help maintain the village's aesthetic appeal and historical integrity that residents have valued since Marissa's founding over 150 years ago.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

• Street Lighting: Required at all intersections, cul-de-sacs, and at minimum intervals of 400 feet
• Lighting Intensity: Minimum equivalent to 175-watt lamp or 6800 mercury luminaire lamp
• Parking Areas: Uniform illumination of 2 footcandles required for all parking areas and sidewalks
• Light Direction: All exterior lighting must be shielded to direct light downward and prevent spillover
• Residential Common Areas: Minimum of one 60-watt equivalent light per 200 square feet
• Required Fixtures: Every public hall, stairway, bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and boiler/furnace room must have at least one light fixture

Street Lighting Standards

Location Requirements

Marissa's building code specifies precise placement of street lighting throughout the village. These requirements ensure consistent illumination for public safety while maintaining the village's character.

Streetlights must be installed at:

• Every street and alley intersection within subdivisions
• Each cul-de-sac
• Intervals not exceeding 400 feet of street frontage between intersections
• Terminus points of dead-end streets

Technical Specifications

The village has established clear technical standards to ensure quality street lighting that meets both functional and aesthetic needs.

Key technical requirements include:

• Minimum Height: Streetlight standards (posts) must be at least 16 feet high
• Minimum Illumination: Equivalent to a 175-watt lamp or 6800 mercury luminaire lamp
• Underground Service: All lighting must be served with underground cable
• Design Review: All streetlight systems must be reviewed by the Village Engineer and appropriate electric utility company

Infrastructure Considerations

Marissa encourages efficient use of existing infrastructure while minimizing additional installations.

• Existing utility poles and light standards should be used wherever practicable
• The installation of additional utility poles is strongly discouraged
• Poles used exclusively for street lighting are exempt from underground utility requirements

Residential Lighting Requirements

Multi-Family Dwellings

Common areas in multi-family residential buildings have specific lighting requirements to ensure safety and comfort for residents.

Requirements include:

• Common Halls and Stairways: Must be lit at all times with at least one 60-watt standard incandescent light bulb (or equivalent) for each 200 square feet of floor area
• Maximum Spacing: Lights cannot be spaced more than 30 feet apart
• Parking Areas: Multi-family dwelling subdivisions must provide lighting within parking areas at a minimum rate of one light per 25 parking spaces or fraction thereof

Required Lighting Fixtures

The building code clearly specifies which rooms require lighting fixtures in residential settings:

Every residential building must have at least one electric lighting fixture in each:

• Public hall
• Interior stairway
• Toilet room
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Laundry room
• Boiler room
• Furnace room

Home Occupation Lighting Restrictions

For residents operating businesses from their homes, specific lighting limitations apply:

• Signs for home occupations cannot be illuminated
• No glare is permitted beyond property lines

Commercial and Industrial Lighting

Egress Lighting

Non-residential buildings have specific requirements for illuminating exit pathways:

• Minimum Illumination: Means of egress, including exterior egress stairways, must be illuminated at all times with a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) at floors, landings, and treads whenever the building is occupied

Parking Area Illumination

Commercial parking areas must meet stringent lighting standards:

• Uniform Illumination: All parking areas and sidewalks (excluding nature, walking, and bicycle trails) must have uniform illumination of 2 footcandles
• Light Containment: Any lights used to illuminate parking lots must be arranged or shielded to confine direct light rays within the lot lines to the greatest extent possible
• Nuisance Prevention: Lighting must not create a nuisance to adjacent properties

Special Use Lighting

Certain businesses have additional lighting requirements:

• Adult Entertainment Businesses: No flashing lights or lighting that gives the impression of motion or movement is permitted
• Video Viewing Booths: Must be lit so persons are visible from adjacent public rooms, but not so bright as to prevent viewing of entertainment

General Lighting Restrictions and Requirements

Light Trespass Prevention

Marissa's code emphasizes the importance of containing light within property boundaries:

• No unreasonable reflection or direct glare is permitted at or beyond any property line
• All exterior lighting must be shielded and/or designed to direct light downward and within the confines of the site area
• Swimming pool lights must be arranged to confine direct light rays within lot lines to the greatest extent possible

Prohibited Lighting

Several types of lighting are expressly forbidden in Marissa:

• Flashing or rotating beacons of light in view of any street or highway
• Excessive glare in industrial districts
• Lights that create traffic hazards

Signage Illumination

The village allows sign illumination with important restrictions:

• No red, yellow, or green lights that could confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic
• No blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights on signs (except time/temperature information)
• Light must be shaded, shielded, or directed to avoid creating nuisances or traffic hazards

What Property Owners Should Know

Maintenance Requirements

Marissa's building code addresses the maintenance of lighting systems:

• The Code Enforcement Officer can require correction of defects in electrical systems, including lighting installations, if they constitute hazards
• Property owners must maintain adequate lighting in all spaces to permit sanitary conditions and safe occupancy

Construction Site Lighting

When conducting construction that impacts public areas:

• Warning lights must be maintained at night on any building materials deposited on streets during construction

Prohibited Actions

Property owners should be aware of actions that violate the lighting code:

• It is unlawful to damage any electric lightpost, pole, conductor, wire, lamp, or related equipment
• Signs cannot be posted on lampposts without the owner's written consent
• Signs cannot be fastened to electric light poles

Supporting Marissa's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918, understands the importance of preserving the unique character of historic communities like Marissa while meeting modern lighting needs. We appreciate Marissa's thoughtful approach to balancing safety and functionality with historical preservation.

As a Midwest manufacturer with deep regional knowledge, Bock Lighting recognizes the architectural heritage that makes Marissa special. Our team understands how proper lighting can enhance historical character while meeting contemporary standards for efficiency and performance.

We're committed to providing educational resources about lighting regulations to help community members navigate compliance requirements. Our expertise can help Marissa residents maintain the village's distinctive small-town atmosphere through appropriate lighting solutions that respect both regulatory needs and community values.

Bock Lighting shares Marissa's commitment to sustainable practices and community preservation, making us a valuable partner for those seeking to implement lighting that honors the village's 150+ year history while embracing appropriate modern technology.

Conclusion

Marissa's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to maintaining small-town charm while ensuring safety and functionality. From street lighting specifications to residential requirements and commercial standards, these regulations create a framework for consistent, appropriate illumination throughout the village.

Property owners should familiarize themselves with these requirements before making lighting changes or installations. By following these standards, residents and businesses contribute to preserving Marissa's distinctive character for future generations.

Understanding and implementing proper lighting not only ensures code compliance but also supports the community's vision for a well-lit, historically sensitive environment that honors Marissa's rich heritage while meeting modern needs.