Lighting Regulations in Schiller Park, Illinois: A Guide for Property Owners and Businesses

Introduction

Schiller Park, Illinois, with its rich German heritage and independent community spirit, has developed a distinct identity since its founding in the late 19th century. Despite its proximity to Chicago and O'Hare International Airport, the village has maintained its unique character through careful planning and development regulations.

With a population of approximately 11,850, Schiller Park balances modern development needs with community standards that preserve its distinctive atmosphere. The village's lighting regulations reflect this balance – designed to ensure safety and functionality while preventing light pollution and protecting the quality of life for residents.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Residential Properties:

• Light intensity limit: Maximum 1/4-foot candle at any adjacent residential property line
• Freestanding lights: Cannot exceed 7'6" in height
• Building-mounted lights: Maximum 18' high on primary buildings, 12' high on accessory structures

Commercial Properties:

• Light trespass: All lighting must be shielded to prevent spillover
• Maximum intensity: One foot-candle at the curb line
• Sign illumination: LED signs limited to 5,000 nits (day) and 150 nits (night)

Multi-Family Buildings:

• Entrances: Must be illuminated from sunset to sunrise with minimum 60-watt equivalent
• Parking lots: Minimum 0.4 horizontal foot candles from dusk to dawn
• Common areas: Must be illuminated throughout the night

Residential Lighting Standards

Height and Placement Restrictions

Schiller Park's residential lighting codes focus on preventing light trespass while ensuring adequate illumination. Key requirements include:

• Exterior freestanding lights cannot exceed 7'6" in height above grade
• Lights cannot be mounted in trees or vegetation
• Building-mounted lights limited to 18' high on main residences
• Lights on accessory buildings limited to 12' height

Light Intensity and Direction

The village strictly regulates lighting intensity to prevent nuisance to neighbors:

• Light intensity cannot exceed 1/4-foot candle at any adjacent property line
• Within front yard setbacks, intensity limited to 1/2-foot candle at property line
• All exterior lighting must be directed toward the property using appropriate fixtures or shields
• Exterior lights must use diffusers to reduce glare
• All residential exterior lighting must operate on 120 volts AC or less

Commercial and Business Lighting Requirements

General Commercial Standards

All commercial properties in Schiller Park must comply with these basic requirements:

• Lighting installed on buildings, structures, signs or fixtures must be shielded to prevent light trespass
• Light levels cannot exceed one foot-candle at any time as measured at the curb line
• Adjacent properties must be protected from light spillover

Special Use Requirements

Hair Salons and Barber Shops

• Must provide minimum 30 foot candles of light in hair cutting and dressing areas

Self-Storage Facilities

• All exterior lighting must be directed away from adjacent properties
• Must use full cutoff luminaries with cutoff angle not exceeding 90°
• Under-canopy lighting must use full cutoff fixtures

Establishments Serving Alcohol

• All rooms must be continuously lighted during business hours by natural or artificial white light
• Lighting must allow full view of entire interior from street, road, or sidewalk

Illuminated Signs and Displays

Brightness Limitations

Schiller Park has specific requirements for illuminated signage:

• LED signs: Maximum 5,000 nits from dawn to dusk, maximum 150 nits from dusk to dawn
• Non-LED signs: Maximum one foot-candle at any time as measured at the curb line

Illumination Methods and Restrictions

• Signs illuminated by floodlights or spotlights must have lights installed within the fixture or shielded
• Goose-neck reflectors are permitted on freestanding, projecting, and wall signs if properly shielded
• Prohibited sign types:
• Flashing signs
• Animated signs
• Signs with intermittent intensity
• Signs using colors that might interfere with, mislead, or confuse drivers

Multiple-Family Building Requirements

Common Area Lighting

Safety in multi-family buildings is a priority in Schiller Park:

• Entrances must be illuminated from sunset to sunrise with minimum 60-watt equivalent bulbs
• Bulbs must be protected by clear polycarbonate or equal break-resistant material
• Interior common hallways and stairways must be illuminated from dusk until dawn
• Buildings with fewer than three units must provide conveniently located light switches for hallways and stairways

Exterior Lighting Requirements

• Parking lots with more than 10 spaces require minimum 0.4 horizontal foot candles from dusk to dawn
• Non-enclosed areas at grade level require minimum 0.4 horizontal foot candles
• Sidewalks and walkways must maintain minimum 0.4 horizontal foot candles on walking surfaces

What Property Owners Should Know

Measurement and Enforcement

The village takes lighting regulations seriously:

• Light levels and glare are measured at the property line using a light meter operated by a trained operator
• Photometric light diagrams may be required when light spillover is suspected

Special Situations

Several special requirements exist for specific situations:

• Swimming pools: Lights limited to maximum 15 volts with pool-listed transformer
• Parking lots: Minimum 0.25 lumens per square foot required
• Emergency lighting: Commercial buildings require separate circuits and junction boxes marked as emergency circuits
• Trees: Must be pruned to prevent obstruction of streetlight illumination

Electrical Safety Requirements

Lighting installations must meet electrical code requirements:

• GFCI receptacles with in-use bubble covers required for exterior outlets
• Bathroom switches and fixtures must be at least 30 inches from water's edge
• Closet lighting requirements vary by closet size (special requirements for closets larger than 39 and 49 square feet)
• Lighting circuits must include arc-fault protection

Supporting Schiller Park's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands the balance that communities like Schiller Park seek to maintain between modern lighting needs and neighborhood character.

We recognize that Schiller Park's regulations aim to prevent light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality. Our expertise in regional architectural styles and community-sensitive lighting design aligns with Schiller Park's commitment to maintaining its distinctive community atmosphere.

As a resource for understanding lighting regulations, Bock Lighting can help property owners navigate the specific requirements of Schiller Park's code. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices parallels the village's efforts to preserve quality of life while accommodating growth and development.

Conclusion

Schiller Park's lighting regulations balance the need for adequate illumination with the protection of community character and residential quality of life. By focusing on light intensity, direction, and shielding, these regulations help prevent nuisance lighting while ensuring safety and functionality.

Property owners and businesses should consider these regulations early in the planning process for any new construction or renovation project. By understanding and complying with these requirements, you help maintain Schiller Park's unique community character while ensuring adequate lighting for safety and visibility.

Remember that lighting permit requirements apply to most installations. When in doubt, contact the Village Building Official or Director of Community Development for clarification on specific requirements for your property or project.