Lighting Regulations in Antioch, Illinois: Balancing Historic Charm with Modern Illumination

Introduction

Nestled in the Chain O'Lakes region of Illinois, Antioch has carefully grown from its mid-19th century origins into a community that values both progress and preservation. Founded by religious settlers and developed around mills and small shops, Antioch's approach to community planning—including its lighting regulations—reflects a deliberate balance between historical character and contemporary needs.

The village's lighting regulations demonstrate how Antioch preserves its small-town atmosphere while ensuring public safety and functionality. With careful attention to street illumination, sign lighting, and property illumination, these standards help maintain Antioch's charm while providing necessary visibility and security for residents and visitors alike.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

Before diving into details, here are the most important lighting regulations in Antioch:

• Direction Requirements: Exterior lighting must be directed downward at a 90° angle and away from surrounding properties
• Light Trespass Limits: Maximum of 0.5 foot-candle at property lines
• Hours of Operation: Most lights must be turned off between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM (except for entrances and security lighting)
• Shielding: Fixtures must be fully shielded to prevent glare onto neighboring properties
• Street Lighting Illumination Standards:
• Primary Residential: 1.0 foot-candle
• Secondary Residential: 0.6 foot-candle
• Collector Residential: 0.6 foot-candle
• Minor Residential: 0.4 foot-candle

Street Lighting Requirements

Lighting Placement & Installation

Street lighting in Antioch follows specific placement guidelines to ensure consistent illumination throughout the village:

• Spacing Requirements: Streetlights must be installed at each corner and at intervals of 250-300 feet
• Height Requirements: Approximately 10 feet above established grade on the street side of service poles
• Residential Subdivision Placement: Required at all intersections, center of street curves, and ends of cul-de-sacs

Technical Specifications

Antioch's street lighting system includes detailed equipment specifications:

Luminaire Types

• Type A: Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co., style 141 with 400-watt mercury vapor lamps
• Type B: Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co., style 143 with 250-watt mercury vapor lamps
• Type C: Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co., style 142 with 175-watt mercury vapor lamps

Poles & Mounting

• Material: Prestressed concrete
• Dimensions: 23-foot polished shaft aboveground, 5-foot butt base below grade
• Handhole: Placed on property side, 18 inches above top of curb
• Mounting Height: 25 feet 10 inches above pavement
• Brackets:
• Types A and B: 12-foot long galvanized steel pipe
• Type C: 8-foot long galvanized steel pipe

Design Standards

Antioch follows established standards for street lighting design:

• Street lighting design must conform to the "American National Standard Practice For Roadway Lighting" (approved July 11, 1972)
• RE or SE district streets have special provisions with lighting standards required at intersections, curves, and cul-de-sac ends
• Commercial lighting systems require design by a qualified engineer with approval from the village engineer

Property & Exterior Lighting Requirements

General Requirements

Property owners in Antioch must adhere to these general illumination principles:

• Direction Control: All exterior lighting must be directed away from surrounding properties
• Angle Requirement: Lighting must be directed downward at a 90° angle from light poles or supports
• Height Limitation: Exterior lighting features generally cannot exceed the height of the principal building
• Light Trespass Control: Maximum of 0.5 foot-candle at lot lines (except at ingress/egress points)

Dark Sky Principles

Antioch embraces "dark sky" principles to preserve the nighttime environment:

• Fixtures must incorporate downlighting distribution through shields, glass type, and internal refractor systems
• Lighting must provide safety without negatively affecting neighboring properties
• Fixtures must be located, aimed, or shielded to minimize glare, sky glow, and stray light

Hours of Operation

To conserve energy and reduce light pollution:

• Lights Off Period: Most exterior lights must be turned off between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Exceptions: Building entrances, loading docks, advertising signage, and security lighting (as identified by the community development director)

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Sign Lighting

Antioch provides specific guidance for sign illumination:

• Wall Signs: Internal, external, or backlit illumination is permitted in most areas
• Downtown Sign District: Only external illumination or backlit lighting of individual lettering permitted
• Monument Signs: Must incorporate opaque background cabinets with only lettering and logos illuminated
• Subdivision Signs: Must incorporate external illumination or backlit lighting

Prohibited Sign Lighting

The following sign lighting is prohibited:

• Neon tube lighting or LED lighting outlining buildings, structures, or windows
• Neon or glass tube illumination around windows
• Internal illumination of ground signage in the Downtown Sign District
• Internal illumination, raceway, and box signs in the Downtown Sign District

Electronic Message Boards (EMBs)

EMBs have specific regulations:

• Location: Permitted in commercial districts only (excluding Downtown Sign District)
• Approval: Special Use Permit required
• Size: Maximum gross surface area cannot exceed 25% of any sign face
• Brightness Control: Must have programmed dimming and photocell adjustment
• Nighttime Brightness: No more than 40% of daytime brightness level
• Color Restrictions: Must incorporate solid black background with only white or red lettering
• Hours: Must be extinguished at close of business or by 2:00 AM
• Message Hold Time: 10-second minimum (4 seconds for time/temperature)
• Transition Effects: Only fading or dissolving transitions allowed

What Property Owners Should Know

Applying for Lighting Permits

Before installing or modifying lighting:

• Permits are required for construction of lighting systems on public property
• For illuminated signs, electrical and illumination plans must be included in applications
• Facade improvement grant programs may include exterior lighting as eligible improvements

Maintenance Requirements

Proper lighting maintenance is required:

• Properties with approved site plans must maintain all improvements in good condition, including light fixtures
• The village tests luminaries for distribution, and adjustments may be required to meet design lighting patterns

Special Use Considerations

Certain uses have specific lighting requirements:

• Model Homes: May be illuminated if lighting doesn't adversely affect traffic and surrounding residents
• Home Occupations: Must not generate glare beyond what normally occurs in the zoning district
• Recreational Cannabis Businesses: May require security cameras, lighting, or other improvements for safety

Supporting Antioch's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, shares Antioch's commitment to preserving historic character while embracing necessary modern technology. We understand how lighting contributes to community identity and safety in villages like Antioch that treasure their historical legacy.

Our team appreciates Antioch's balanced approach to lighting—implementing standards that respect the village's historic foundation while providing adequate illumination for safety and functionality. Our experience with historic communities helps us understand the unique challenges of integrating lighting that complements rather than overwhelms architectural character.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for communities navigating lighting regulations, offering expertise in achieving compliance while honoring the distinctive charm that makes places like Antioch special. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Antioch's thoughtful approach to development that balances growth with preservation.

Conclusion

Antioch's lighting regulations reflect the village's overall philosophy of balancing growth with preservation of its historical character. From the specific technical requirements for street lighting to the careful controls on sign illumination and property lighting, these standards help maintain Antioch's small-town charm while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and functionality.

Property owners in Antioch should familiarize themselves with these regulations before undertaking any lighting projects. By following these guidelines, residents and businesses contribute to preserving Antioch's distinctive character and creating a visually cohesive community environment that works for everyone.

For specific questions about lighting regulations or permit requirements, contact the Village of Antioch Community Development Department directly to ensure compliance with all current standards.