Lighting Regulations in O'Fallon, Illinois: A Comprehensive Guide for Property Owners

Introduction

O'Fallon, Illinois, a vibrant community incorporated in 1874, has evolved from a small village into one of the fastest-growing cities in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. With over 30,000 residents and a strategic location near Interstate 64 and Scott Air Force Base, O'Fallon carefully balances growth with maintaining its small-town charm.

The city's lighting regulations reflect this balance—designed to support modern development while preserving the community's aesthetic character. As outlined in O'Fallon's 2040 Master Plan, the city strives to maintain high quality of life standards while accommodating new growth, and its lighting regulations play a crucial role in this vision.

Quick Reference Guide

Most Critical Lighting Requirements:

• Residential Properties: Maximum 1 foot-candle of illumination at property lines
• Commercial Properties: Maximum 5 foot-candles at commercial property boundaries
• All Properties: Light must be shielded to prevent spillover onto neighboring properties
• Flood Lights: Must be down-lighted at 45+ degrees from vertical
• Airport Overlay District: Special restrictions apply (see dedicated section)
• Parking Areas: Minimum 1 foot-candle illumination required for safety

Residential Lighting Requirements

Illumination Restrictions

O'Fallon's residential lighting regulations focus on minimizing light pollution while maintaining safety and security. Key requirements include:

• Off-street exterior lighting must be shielded and/or directed to illuminate only the user's premises
• Light levels cannot exceed one foot-candle of illumination at any property line
• Flood lights are only permitted when they are down-lighted and installed at least 45 degrees from vertical
• The Planning Director may require shields on lights determined to be a nuisance

Specialized Lighting

For decorative lighting features, additional restrictions apply:

• Luminaires used for uplighting (flags, address markers, trees, architectural features) must be located, aimed and shielded so illumination focuses exclusively on the object
• No exterior lighting may interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares
• Light trespass onto neighboring properties is prohibited

Commercial and Parking Area Lighting

Parking Lot Illumination Standards

Commercial properties must carefully manage their lighting to balance safety with minimal neighborhood impact:

• All parking lots used at night must provide at least one foot-candle of illumination
• Lighting cannot create more than one foot-candle at residential property boundaries
• Maximum of five foot-candles at commercial property boundaries
• All parking area lighting must be located within a landscaped area or island
• No private parking lot lighting may be mounted in public right-of-way or utility easements

General Commercial Requirements

• All illumination structures must be shaded, shielded or directed to prevent direct light from being cast upon adjacent properties
• No light fixture may have blinking, flashing or fluctuating brightness
• Light cannot create disabling glare for traffic on public roadways

Street Lighting Requirements

O'Fallon has specific requirements for street lighting in new developments:

• Street lights must be installed and in good working order immediately upon completion of roadway base course
• Style, spacing and location will be specified by the City Engineer
• Developers are responsible for purchase, installation, and commissioning
• Developers must arrange with the electric company to energize the system as soon as possible
• Developers maintain responsibility until formal acceptance of subdivision improvements by the city

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Sign Lighting Requirements

• No red, yellow, or green lights that may confuse or interfere with traffic
• No blinking, flashing or changing light intensity is permitted
• Light must be shaded, shielded, or reduced in brightness to avoid creating nuisances or hazards
• Separate electrical permit required for illuminated signs
• No exposed reflective bulbs, strobe lights, or incandescent lamps facing public streets or adjacent properties

Electronic Display Signs

• Airport Overlay District (AO-1): Maximum 5,000 nits during daylight hours; 500 nits from dusk to dawn
• Airport Overlay District (AO-2): Electronic display signs prohibited entirely
• Minimum display duration: 15 seconds (static display)

Airport Overlay District Special Requirements

The proximity of Scott Air Force Base creates special lighting considerations in designated overlay districts:

AO-1 District Requirements

• Light sources must be fully shielded and downward facing so no light appears above the horizontal
• Lighting plans required as part of site plan submittals, showing:
• Location of all outdoor light fixtures (existing and proposed)
• Manufacturer's catalog cuts and drawings
• Canopy lighting must conceal the illumination source and not extend below canopy skirt
• Exterior sign lights must be shielded and oriented downward

Prohibited Lighting in Airport Districts

• Lighting that causes confusion with airport lights
• Lighting that results in glare for pilots
• Lighting that impairs visibility of the airport

Special Circumstances

Sidewalk Dining Areas

• Must have adequate illumination from dusk and thereafter

Construction and Excavation

• Materials deposited on streets during construction require red or yellow lights at night
• Excavations must be marked by appropriate traffic-control devices

Trees and Street Lamps

• Tree branches must be trimmed up to at least ten feet above the ground to avoid obstructing street lamps

What Property Owners Should Know

Understanding Light Trespass

Light trespass occurs when light from your property spills onto neighboring properties or public spaces. O'Fallon's regulations specifically aim to minimize this nuisance:

• Consider installing motion sensors to reduce unnecessary illumination
• Use warm-colored light where possible, which tends to be less intrusive
• Aim lights downward to illuminate only your property
• Shield fixtures to prevent direct visibility of the light source from neighboring properties

Planning for Compliance

When installing new lighting or modifying existing systems:

• Consult the Planning Department about specific requirements for your property
• Request a lighting evaluation if you're concerned about compliance
• Consider photometric planning before major installations
• Remember that the Planning Director can require shields on lights determined to be a nuisance

Supporting O'Fallon's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands the unique challenges communities like O'Fallon face in balancing modern lighting needs with community character.

As a company committed to sustainable and responsible lighting practices, we appreciate O'Fallon's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations that protect neighborhood character while ensuring safety and functionality.

Our experience with regional architectural styles and community-sensitive lighting solutions aligns with O'Fallon's balanced approach to development. We recognize that communities like O'Fallon benefit from lighting solutions that respect local regulations while enhancing the distinctive character that makes the city special.

Bock's role extends beyond providing products to serving as an educational resource for communities navigating complex lighting regulations and standards. We're committed to helping maintain the character of communities like O'Fallon through knowledgeable guidance on lighting best practices.

Conclusion

O'Fallon's lighting regulations strike a careful balance between providing adequate illumination for safety and security while protecting the community from light pollution and nuisance. The regulations are particularly focused on preventing light trespass across property lines and ensuring appropriate lighting near Scott Air Force Base.

Property owners should pay special attention to the maximum allowable light levels at property boundaries and requirements for shielding lights to prevent direct glare. Commercial properties face additional requirements for parking areas and signage illumination.

By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to O'Fallon's vision of maintaining its distinctive community character while accommodating growth and development.