Lighting Regulations in Glendale Heights, Illinois: A Modern Approach to Community Illumination

Introduction

Glendale Heights, incorporated in 1959, embodies the character of a thoughtfully planned modern suburban community in DuPage County. With its contemporary business parks, Glen Oaks Hospital, and the village-managed Glendale Lakes Golf Club, the village has established itself as an attractive residential area focused on providing high-quality services to its residents.

Unlike communities with historic districts dating back centuries, Glendale Heights' relatively young age has allowed it to develop lighting regulations that balance modern needs with residential comfort. The village's emphasis on growth, development, and high standards of services directly influences its approach to lighting regulations, which aim to ensure safety and functionality while minimizing negative impacts on residents.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

Before diving into specifics, here are the most critical lighting requirements property owners in Glendale Heights should know:

• General Business Illumination: Minimum of 5 foot-candles at floor level required during business hours
• Parking Areas: Minimum of 1 foot-candle illumination required on parking surfaces and walkways during all hours of operation
• Residential Light Trespass: Maximum of 0.1 foot-candles of light spillage permitted onto single-family residential properties
• Commercial Light Trespass: Maximum of 2.0 foot-candles of light spillage permitted onto business districts
• Sign Illumination: Must be constant in intensity and color, with shielding to prevent glare
• Exterior Doors: Minimum 100-watt bulb required over exterior doors (excluding front doors), illuminated from sunset to sunrise

Commercial Property Lighting Requirements

Interior Illumination Standards

Businesses in Glendale Heights must maintain proper illumination levels for safety and visibility. The village code specifies that:

• Licensed premises must provide minimum 5 foot-candles illumination at floor level at all times when open to the public
• Interior portions of certain regulated businesses must be illuminated with a minimum maintained horizontal illumination of not less than 2 foot-candles of light on the floor during all hours of operation
• Premises must be continuously lighted during business hours by natural light or artificial white light so all parts of the interior are clearly visible

Exterior Commercial Lighting

Commercial properties must carefully manage their exterior lighting to maintain safety while respecting neighboring properties:

• Off-street parking areas within 100 feet of any entrance must be illuminated during all hours of operation after sunset
• The lighting system must provide a minimum maintained horizontal illumination of greater than 1 foot-candle of light on parking surfaces and walkways
• Different standards apply based on property type:
• Multi-family areas: 1.2 foot-candles with 1:3 uniformity ratio
• Industrial areas: 1.6 foot-candles with 1:3 uniformity ratio
• Commercial areas: 2.0 foot-candles with 1:3 uniformity ratio

Light Trespass Limitations

The village strictly regulates how much light can spill onto neighboring properties:

• Single-family districts: Maximum 0.1 foot-candles
• Multiple-family residential: Maximum 0.2 foot-candles
• Business districts: Maximum 2.0 foot-candles
• Industrial/institutional: Maximum 5.0 foot-candles
• No operation shall produce direct or indirect illumination greater than 0.5 foot-candle in any residence district

Sign Illumination Requirements

General Sign Lighting Standards

Glendale Heights has specific requirements for illuminated signs to ensure they enhance rather than detract from the community:

• Signs requiring illumination must be lit from dusk to dawn
• Lighting must be directed to the sign face and uniformly distributed
• Minimum illumination level of 20 feet on the sign face is required
• Sign illumination must be constant in intensity and color
• Illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited (with exceptions for changing copy signs or theater marquees)

Safety and Glare Prevention

To prevent safety hazards and nuisance from illuminated signs:

• Light must be shaded, shielded, or directed to avoid glare onto surrounding properties or public streets
• No direct or reflected light from a sign may create a traffic hazard for drivers
• Signs must not be similar in appearance to traffic signals in ways that might interfere with traffic safety
• Changing signs shall not cause illumination in excess of 0.05 foot-candle at any property line adjoining a residential use

Residential Area Considerations

Light Fixture Height and Placement

In residential areas, the village code provides specific guidance on lighting fixtures:

• The height of exterior lighting fixtures generally should not exceed the predominant height of the principal building
• Light sources should not be located within required side or rear yards adjacent to residence districts
• Fixture bulbs should not be visible from property lines adjacent to residence districts

Cutoff Requirements and Maximum Heights

Different lighting specifications apply based on the cutoff angle of fixtures:

• Lighting with No Cutoff:
• Maximum permitted illumination: 0.25 foot-candle
• Maximum permitted post height: 10 feet
• Lighting with Cutoff at/Greater Than 90 Degrees:
• Maximum permitted illumination: 0.50 foot-candle
• Maximum permitted post height: 15 feet
• Lighting with Cutoff Less Than 90 Degrees:
• Maximum permitted illumination: 1 foot-candle
• Maximum permitted post height: 20 feet

Parks and Public Spaces

Park Hours and Special Lighting Provisions

Glendale Heights maintains specific hours for park use, with exceptions for lighted facilities:

• Parks are generally open from dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted
• Lighted facilities (baseball fields, tennis courts, skateparks, ice rinks, basketball courts) can remain open later
• In outdoor park facilities with functioning area or athletic lighting, closing time extends to 10:30 PM when in actual use
• Athletic field lights located 100+ yards from residences may be used for organized programs until 11:30 PM from May through October

Street Lighting Requirements

Illumination Standards by Street Type

Glendale Heights maintains specific street lighting standards based on street classification:

• Residential streets: Minimum maintained illumination of 0.4 foot-candle
• Collector streets: Minimum maintained illumination of 0.9 foot-candle
• Major streets: Minimum maintained illumination of 2.0 foot-candles

Technical Specifications

Street lighting must meet detailed technical requirements:

• Luminaires must be served by underground circuits with 120/240 volt single phase, triplexed, cross-linked, polyethylene, 600 volt, direct burial cable
• Pedestal-to-lamp runs shall be no smaller than No. 6 AWG
• All light standards must be mounted on concrete pedestals and equipped with individual photoelectric controls
• High-pressure sodium vapor lamps are specified for street lighting

Supporting Glendale Heights' Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, recognizes the importance of proper lighting in maintaining the modern, planned character of communities like Glendale Heights. As a manufacturer with deep understanding of the Midwest's architectural landscape, we appreciate Glendale Heights' thoughtful approach to balancing safety needs with aesthetic considerations.

While relatively young compared to some historic communities, Glendale Heights' forward-thinking planning demonstrates a commitment to quality of life that resonates with Bock Lighting's values. Our experience working with communities throughout the region has given us insight into how lighting can enhance community character while meeting practical needs.

Bock Lighting serves as a resource for communities and property owners navigating lighting regulations, offering educational materials and expertise to help maintain compliance while achieving desired aesthetics. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns well with Glendale Heights' vision for controlled growth and high-quality community standards.

Conclusion

Glendale Heights' lighting regulations reflect its character as a planned community with an emphasis on modern amenities balanced with residential comfort. By establishing clear standards for illumination levels, fixture specifications, and light trespass limitations, the village ensures that lighting enhances safety and functionality without creating nuisances.

Property owners should pay particular attention to the specific foot-candle requirements for different areas and uses, as well as the limitations on light spillage onto neighboring properties. By understanding and following these regulations, residents and businesses contribute to maintaining the attractive, well-planned character that makes Glendale Heights a desirable community.

Remember that proper lighting is not just about compliance—it's about creating a safe, attractive environment that supports the village's vision for high-quality living and working spaces.