Lighting Regulations in Sugar Grove, Illinois: Balancing Safety, Energy Efficiency, and Night Sky Preservation

Introduction

Sugar Grove, Illinois—a village with roots dating back to the 1830s—has evolved from its agricultural beginnings to become a growing commuter community near major transportation routes like Interstate 88. While embracing development, Sugar Grove maintains a strong connection to its historical character and environmental values.

The village's approach to outdoor lighting reflects this balance between progress and preservation. Sugar Grove's lighting regulations aim to provide adequate illumination for safety while protecting the night sky from light pollution and minimizing energy waste—values that align with the community's commitment to environmental sustainability and aesthetic enhancement.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Before diving into the details, here are the key lighting regulations you should know:

• All new and replacement lighting must be LED or equivalent energy-efficient technology
• Maximum color temperature: 3500K ("warm white")
• Maximum light pole height: 25 feet above grade
• Parking lots: Minimum 0.5 foot-candle per space, maximum average 4.0 foot-candles
• Light fixtures and poles must have dark bronze finish
• Light trespass beyond property lines is prohibited
• Fully shielded fixtures required (no light emitted above 90°)
• Photometric plans required for multifamily, commercial, civic, and industrial properties

General Outdoor Lighting Standards

Purpose and Applicability

Sugar Grove's outdoor illumination regulations (Chapter 18) apply to all properties within village boundaries. These standards serve multiple purposes:

• Protecting the night sky from excessive light pollution
• Providing adequate lighting for safety and comfort
• Protecting property from excessive light trespass
• Encouraging lighting practices that conserve energy

Compliance Requirements

All new installations and modifications to existing fixtures must comply with the village's lighting standards. The village may require compliance for nonconforming light sources if they create nuisance or disabling glare.

When existing nonconforming fixtures become inoperable or unrepairable, they must be removed or converted to conforming fixtures.

Basic Standards for All Properties

Sugar Grove requires that outdoor lighting meet these fundamental standards:

• Fixtures must be fully shielded and aimed downward
• No light emission above 90 degrees (horizontal plane)
• Color temperature must not exceed 3500K ("warm white")
• Light trespass beyond property lines is prohibited
• All lighting components must be maintained in safe, working condition

Prohibited Lighting Types

Sugar Grove explicitly prohibits several types of lighting throughout the village:

• Strobe lights, search lights, and laser lights (including laser light shows and aerial laser lights)
• Neon light tubes
• Flashing lights (unless temporarily triggered by a security system)
• Lighting used to outline buildings or building features
• Lighting that could be confused with traffic signals
• Lighting causing disabling glare on public roadways
• Uplighting (except for American flag or trees, with specific lumen restrictions)

Exceptions to Lighting Regulations

The following are exempt from some lighting regulations:

• Lighting within public rights-of-way for streets, sidewalks, and bike paths
• Seasonal holiday decorations (in place no longer than 2 months before or 30 days after a holiday)
• Security lights controlled by motion sensors that extinguish within 30 minutes
• Recreational use lighting under public or non-profit organization control

However, these exceptions do not permit light trespass, nuisance glare, or disabling glare.

Commercial, Multifamily, and Industrial Lighting Standards

Parking Lot Illumination Requirements

Sugar Grove has specific requirements for parking lot lighting:

• Minimum illumination per parking space: 0.5 foot-candle
• Maximum average light intensity: 4.0 foot-candles
• Light fixtures and poles must have dark bronze finish
• Maximum light pole height: 25 feet above grade
• Parking lot pole structures must be located within landscape areas

Automatic Shutoff Requirements

To conserve energy, Sugar Grove requires:

• Commercial parking lot lighting must be extinguished within 30 minutes after business closure
• Residential parking lot luminaires must be equipped with timers to extinguish lighting during daylight hours

Photometric Plan Requirements

Before installing or modifying lighting on multifamily, commercial, civic, or industrial properties, you must:

• Obtain a building permit
• Submit a detailed photometric plan showing:
• Site plan with structures and parking spaces
• Location of each luminaire with installed height and mounting details
• Light levels (in foot-candles) at regular intervals across the property and at property lines
• Maximum and minimum light levels with site average
• Manufacturer cut sheets for each luminaire
• Summary table specifying lamp type, mounting height, bulb type, wattage, and CCT

Electronic Message Center (EMC) Signs

Sugar Grove has specific brightness requirements for electronic message center signs:

Maximum Brightness by Color

• Red only:
• Sunrise to Sunset: 3,150 nits
• Sunset to Sunrise: 1,125 nits
• Green only:
• Sunrise to Sunset: 6,300 nits
• Sunset to Sunrise: 2,250 nits
• Amber only:
• Sunrise to Sunset: 4,690 nits
• Sunset to Sunrise: 1,675 nits

EMC Certification and Control Requirements

• EMCs must not be capable of exceeding maximum nit levels
• Manufacturer certification of preset light intensity is required
• Password protection or equivalent security is required
• A photoelectric sensor must be installed to adjust brightness based on ambient light
• Village staff or consultant will confirm compliance upon installation

Street Lighting Requirements

Sugar Grove has comprehensive requirements for street lighting, which vary by street classification. Here are some highlights:

General Requirements for Street Lighting

• Plans must be designed by an Illinois registered professional engineer
• Street lights must be installed and operable prior to occupancy permits
• At least one street light is required at each intersection, curve, and cul-de-sac

Technical Specifications

Sugar Grove requires specific equipment for street lighting:

Minor Collector and Local Streets:

• Pole: King Luminaire KM15 Memphis spun concrete pole (S40 - pearl gray finish)
• Luminaire: King Luminaire model K56 Octagonal luminaire, Cleveland style
• Distribution: Type III (Type V for cul-de-sacs)
• Maximum spacing: 300 feet between luminaires

Minor Arterial and OR&I Streets:

• Pole: Stresscrete Octagonal Concrete Pole model E280-APO-G-S40
• Luminaire: CREE RSWM-A-HT-2ME-9L-30K7-UL-GY-N
• Voltage: 120 volt operation

What Property Owners Should Know

Planning a New Project?

If you're developing or modifying a property in Sugar Grove, remember:

• Lighting must be included in your site plans
• A photometric plan is required for commercial and multifamily projects
• All new installations must use LED or equivalent energy-efficient technology
• Light spillover onto neighboring properties is prohibited
• Fixtures must be fully shielded with no upward light emission

Existing Lighting Concerns

For existing properties with lighting:

• Non-compliant fixtures are generally grandfathered until they need replacement
• The village may require compliance if your lighting creates nuisance glare
• When replacing fixtures, new installations must comply with current regulations
• Seasonal lighting is exempt with limitations (timing, no light trespass)

Supporting Sugar Grove's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, understands communities like Sugar Grove that value both historical character and modern efficiency.

As a regional lighting manufacturer, Bock appreciates Sugar Grove's thoughtful approach to balancing safety needs with environmental considerations. Our experience with similar communities throughout the Midwest gives us insight into the unique challenges faced by growing villages with historic roots.

Bock shares Sugar Grove's commitment to energy conservation and preventing light pollution while providing effective illumination. We understand that proper lighting enhances community character while respecting neighbors and preserving the night sky.

For those seeking to understand or implement Sugar Grove's lighting regulations, Bock can serve as an educational resource, helping property owners and designers navigate the technical requirements while honoring the village's vision.

Conclusion

Sugar Grove's lighting regulations demonstrate the village's commitment to responsible growth that respects both community character and environmental concerns. By requiring energy-efficient technology, preventing light trespass, and maintaining aesthetic standards, these regulations help preserve Sugar Grove's quality of life.

Property owners planning new construction or renovations should familiarize themselves with these regulations early in the planning process to ensure compliance. While the technical requirements may seem detailed, they ultimately serve to create a more attractive, efficient, and neighborly community.

For specific questions about Sugar Grove's lighting requirements, contact the Village's Community Development Department for the most current information and guidance.