Lighting Regulations in Palos Heights, Illinois: Maintaining Suburban Character Through Thoughtful Illumination

Introduction

Established in 1959, Palos Heights emerged during mid-century suburban development in the Chicago metropolitan area with a vision focused on creating an ideal residential community. The city's founders sought to balance residential living with natural beauty, emphasizing spacious neighborhoods and green spaces. This commitment to preserving a peaceful suburban atmosphere is evident in Palos Heights' approach to lighting regulations.

Unlike communities with industrial footprints, Palos Heights has maintained its residential character, with Palos Community Hospital (established in 1972) as one of its largest employers. This focus on creating a family-friendly environment has shaped the city's policies, particularly those governing how properties are illuminated.

Quick Reference Guide

Key Lighting Requirements in Palos Heights:

• Residential Areas:
• Mercury vapor and high intensity lighting prohibited
• Pole-mounted lighting limited to 7 feet from grade
• Wall-mounted lighting limited to 15 feet from grade with shielding
• Commercial Properties:
• Maximum lighting pole height: 18 feet
• Electronic message signs limited to 5,000 NITS during business hours and 1,200 NITS from dusk until dawn
• Food service establishments require minimum 20 footcandles on working surfaces
• Parking Areas:
• Different illumination standards based on activity level (high/medium/low)
• All parking lighting must include glare controls
• Must conform to Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) standards
• Street Trees:
• Must be pruned to prevent obstruction of street light illumination

Residential Lighting Standards

Height and Intensity Restrictions

Palos Heights maintains strict limits on residential lighting to preserve its peaceful suburban character. According to §156.02, mercury vapor and high-intensity lighting is explicitly prohibited in residential areas. Any exterior lighting must be directed to avoid creating a nuisance for neighbors.

Mounting Requirements

Residential lighting installations must adhere to specific height limitations:

• Pole-mounted exterior lighting cannot exceed 7 feet in height from grade
• Wall-mounted exterior lighting must be:
• Located no higher than 15 feet from grade
• Shielded to prevent light impact on neighboring properties

These requirements reflect the city's commitment to maintaining a residential atmosphere that balances safety with tranquility.

Commercial and Business District Lighting

Signage Illumination

Palos Heights maintains careful control over sign illumination to prevent visual clutter and light pollution:

• Temporary signs must be non-illuminated with no flashing lights, beacons, or spotlights
• Window signs cannot be illuminated except for open/close signs (with proper permitting)
• Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs in commercial/business districts must:
• Limit the EMC display to 60% of the sign face
• Use less intense background lighting than text/graphics
• Not exceed 5,000 NITS during business hours
• Not exceed 1,200 NITS from dusk until dawn
• Include automatic dimming mechanism for nighttime hours
• Provide certification of compliance with brightness standards

Interior Business Lighting

Different types of businesses have specific lighting requirements:

• Food service establishments require:
• Well-lit food preparation, storage, hand-washing, and utensil washing areas
• Minimum 20 footcandles on all working surfaces
• Minimum 10 footcandles on other surfaces and equipment
• Establishments serving liquor must maintain continuous lighting during business hours to ensure all interior parts are clearly visible
• Automatic dry cleaning establishments must illuminate customer areas to a minimum of 25 footcandles at floor level

Parking Area Illumination

Design Standards

Parking lot lighting in Palos Heights must adhere to both aesthetic and functional standards:

• Light fixtures must be architecturally compatible with the principal building
• All parking area lighting must include glare controls and shielding
• Floodlighting is discouraged and requires special shielding if used
• Wallpack-type fixtures are not permitted

Height Restrictions

Maximum pole heights vary by district:

• 12 feet in residential districts
• 18 feet in commercial districts or commercial parts of residential PUDs
• 22 feet in industrial districts

Illumination Levels

Palos Heights has adopted the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) standards for parking lots based on activity level:

High Activity Areas (major events, regional shopping centers)

• General parking: Average 3.6 footcandles, Minimum 0.9
• Vehicle use areas: Average 2.0 footcandles, Minimum 0.67

Medium Activity Areas (community shopping, office parks)

• General parking: Average 2.4 footcandles, Minimum 0.6
• Vehicle use areas: Average 1.0 footcandles, Minimum 0.33

Low Activity Areas (neighborhood shopping, schools)

• General parking: Average 0.8 footcandles, Minimum 0.2
• Vehicle use areas: Average 0.5 footcandles, Minimum 0.13

Recreational Facility Lighting

Minimizing Neighborhood Impact

Sports facilities with lighting must take special precautions to minimize impact on surrounding properties:

• Ball diamonds, playing fields, and tennis courts must use shielded lighting to minimize spillover
• Maximum illumination at adjacent property lines:
• 1 foot-candle at residential property lines
• 2 foot-candles at non-residential property lines

Pathway and Pedestrian Lighting

Pathways, sidewalks, and trails require lower-profile lighting with fixtures not exceeding 8 feet in pole height.

Swimming Pool Lighting Requirements

Safety Standards

Pool lighting in Palos Heights emphasizes safety with specific voltage limitations:

• No lighting fixture shall operate at more than 12 volts
• Nonmetallic fixtures cannot be used with grounded power supply
• All non-current carrying metal parts must be properly grounded

Light Containment

Outdoor pool lighting must be shielded to prevent light from extending beyond property lines.

Lighting Plan Requirements

When Plans Are Required

A lighting plan must be submitted whenever exterior lighting is proposed for:

• Residential uses denser than single-family dwellings
• Any commercial, office, or industrial use

Plan Components

The lighting plan must include:

• Site plan showing fixture locations and foot-candle intensity
• Catalog cuts of proposed fixtures
• Summary table with:
• Average, minimum, and maximum foot-candles
• Uniformity ratio (average/minimum)
• Foot-candles at property lines
• Pole heights
• Light loss factor (LLF)
• Certification of compliance from property owner and plan preparer

Once approved, exterior lighting must conform to the approved plan.

What Property Owners Should Know

Tree Maintenance Around Street Lights

Property owners must prune branches of trees that overhang streets so they don't obstruct light from street lamps. The city has the right to prune trees on private property if they interfere with street light distribution or visibility of traffic control devices.

Seasonal and Decorative Lighting

Decorative seasonal lighting is permitted but must not exceed a power rating of 75 watts.

Grandfathered Lighting

Exterior lighting fixtures that existed before the current regulations are generally considered legally nonconforming. However, if a nonconforming fixture needs replacement due to damage, the new installation must comply with current standards.

For properties undergoing development, lighting must be brought up to code when the floor area increases by 10% or more.

Supporting Palos Heights' Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares Palos Heights' commitment to maintaining residential character while incorporating appropriate lighting technology. As a regional manufacturer familiar with suburban Chicago communities, we understand the delicate balance between safety, functionality, and neighborhood aesthetics that Palos Heights strives to maintain.

Our experience with communities similar to Palos Heights has given us insight into how lighting can enhance suburban character rather than detract from it. We appreciate the city's careful approach to lighting regulations that preserve its peaceful residential atmosphere while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and enjoyment.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for communities like Palos Heights, helping property owners understand lighting regulations and how they contribute to the community's overall vision. Our team's understanding of regional architectural styles enables us to support the distinct suburban character that makes Palos Heights special.

Conclusion

Palos Heights' lighting regulations reflect its identity as a thoughtfully planned residential community. From height restrictions in residential areas to detailed illumination standards for commercial properties, these guidelines ensure that lighting enhances safety and functionality without compromising the city's peaceful suburban character.

Property owners considering lighting installations or modifications should consult the city's specific requirements and obtain necessary permits. By adhering to these standards, residents and businesses contribute to the harmonious visual environment that has defined Palos Heights since its establishment in 1959.