Lighting Regulations in Monee, Illinois: Preserving Small-Town Charm Through Thoughtful Illumination

Introduction

Monee, Illinois, a village with roots dating back to the mid-19th century, maintains its small-town charm while balancing modern needs. Founded around the Illinois Central Railroad and officially incorporated in 1874, Monee values its historical character and rural appeal.

The village's approach to lighting regulations reflects its commitment to preserving community heritage while ensuring safety and functionality. These regulations help maintain Monee's peaceful atmosphere while addressing practical lighting needs for businesses, residences, and public spaces.

Let's explore the key lighting requirements that shape Monee's nighttime environment and contribute to its distinctive community character.

Quick Reference Guide

Key Lighting Requirements in Monee:

• Residential Lighting: Must be shielded/directed to prevent spillover into neighboring properties
• Flood Lights: Only permitted when downlighted at least 45° from vertical
• Parking Areas: Nighttime illumination must not exceed 3 foot-candles at property lines
• Glare Control: Direct/indirect illumination limited to 0.5 foot-candles at property lines
• Emergency Lighting: Must use LED fixtures with mechanical lockout switches
• Exterior Fixtures: Wall-mounted lights must be caulked on top and all sides
• Uplighting: Must be focused exclusively on the intended object (flags, trees, etc.)

Residential Lighting Requirements

Preventing Light Trespass

Monee values good neighborly relations, which is reflected in its residential lighting requirements. Exterior lighting in residential areas must be shielded and directed to illuminate only the user's premises without spilling over to neighboring properties.

Flood Light Restrictions

If you're considering flood lights for your property, note that they are only permitted when downlighted and installed at a minimum angle of 45 degrees down from vertical. This requirement helps reduce light pollution and glare.

Enforcement and Compliance

The Village may require shields to be installed on any lights determined to be a nuisance. This provision helps address lighting issues that may arise after installation if neighbors are affected.

Commercial and Business Lighting

Liquor Establishment Requirements

Businesses selling liquor for on-premises consumption face specific lighting requirements. All rooms must be continuously lighted during business hours by natural light or artificial white light sufficient to make all parts of the interior clearly visible.

Parking Area Illumination

Commercial parking areas used during nighttime hours must provide adequate lighting for safety while respecting neighboring properties:

• Must enable safe access to parked vehicles
• Cannot exceed 3 foot-candles when measured at the property line
• Lighting facilities should be arranged to deflect light away from adjoining residential areas
• For parking near residential districts, trees should be strategically planted to shield neighboring properties from lamp post illumination

Technical Specifications for Lighting Installations

Emergency Lighting Requirements

Safety is a priority in Monee's lighting regulations. For emergency situations:

• All emergency egress lighting and illuminated exit signs must be LED type
• All switches for fire alarms, burglar alarms, exit signs, and emergency lighting must have mechanical lockouts to prevent accidental turnoff

Exterior Installation Standards

Proper installation is critical for durability and performance:

• Wall-mounted exterior fixtures must be caulked on the top and all sides to prevent water infiltration
• Uplighting for flags, address markers, trees, and architectural features must be carefully aimed to focus illumination exclusively on the intended object

Glare Control Standards

Monee has established specific technical standards to control glare:

• Operations producing glare must be conducted in completely enclosed buildings
• Direct and indirect illumination must not exceed 0.5 foot-candles at the property line
• Exposed light sources must be shielded
• Flickering or intense light sources must be controlled to prevent creating a nuisance

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Sign Lighting Requirements

Monee has detailed regulations governing sign illumination:

• All illuminated signs must be internally illuminated
• Illuminated signs are defined as "a sign having its own light source"
• Signs must be shaded to avoid casting bright light upon residential property or public streets/parks
• Internal illumination must permit light to shine through only the lettering and graphic elements

Special Sign Lighting Provisions

Different rules apply in specific districts and for certain sign types:

• In C-3 districts, roof and wall signs located more than 500 feet from a road may have flashing or blinking lights
• Outside C-3 districts, illuminated signs cannot have flashing, scintillating, traveling or blinking lights
• Time/temperature signs with intermittent lighting are permitted if:
• Lights don't exceed 40 watts per lamp
• Changes occur at minimum 7-second intervals
• Only numerals indicating time/temperature change
• Electronic message reader signs are permitted with minimum 7-second intervals between changes

Installation and Safety Requirements

Electrical safety is prioritized in the regulations:

• All electrical work on illuminated signs requires a valid electrical permit
• Voltage of electrical apparatus must be conspicuously marked
• Temporary signs made of combustible materials cannot have electrical wiring or internal illumination
• Relettering requiring changes to electrical piping or sign wiring needs approval from the electrical inspector

Special Applications

Communication Towers and Antennas

Monee carefully regulates lighting on tall structures:

• No illumination is permitted on antennas or towers unless required by federal agencies (FCC, FAA)
• Required lighting must be shielded and reflected away from adjoining properties
• The board of trustees may review lighting alternatives to select designs with minimal disturbance

Uplighting Applications

For decorative uplighting applications:

• Luminaires must be carefully located, aimed and shielded
• Direct illumination must focus exclusively on the intended object
• Light must be directed away from adjoining properties and public thoroughfares

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning Your Lighting Project

Before installing new exterior lighting in Monee, consider these key points:

• Focus on containing light within your property boundaries
• Choose fixtures that direct light downward whenever possible
• Consider the impact of lighting on neighboring properties
• Remember that shields may be required for lights deemed problematic

Common Compliance Issues

The most frequent lighting compliance challenges in Monee involve:

• Inadequate shielding of bright lights
• Improper aiming of flood lights
• Excessive illumination at property lines
• Inappropriate sign illumination

Supporting Monee's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with manufacturing roots dating back to 1918, understands and appreciates Monee's commitment to preserving its small-town charm while ensuring safety and functionality through appropriate lighting standards.

As a Midwest manufacturer, we share Monee's values regarding community character and the importance of balancing modern lighting needs with historical preservation. Our familiarity with the architectural styles and lighting requirements common in communities like Monee allows us to serve as an educational resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations.

We recognize that Monee's lighting approach reflects its desire to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that makes the village special. Through our commitment to responsible lighting practices, we support communities in creating illumination solutions that respect local character while meeting practical needs.

Conclusion

Monee's lighting regulations reflect its dual commitment to preserving its small-town character while ensuring safety and functionality. By controlling light trespass, managing glare, and setting standards for various lighting applications, these regulations help maintain the quality of life that residents value.

For property owners, understanding these requirements early in the planning process can prevent costly corrections later. By following Monee's thoughtful approach to illumination, residents and businesses contribute to the village's distinctive nighttime environment and help preserve its historical charm for future generations.