Lighting Regulations in Maywood, Illinois: Balancing Safety, Visibility and Historical Character

Introduction

Nestled just 11 miles west of downtown Chicago, the village of Maywood boasts a rich historical tapestry dating back to its settlement after the Blackhawk War in 1832. Officially incorporated in 1881, Maywood's development was significantly shaped by the Maywood Company, which built over 100 houses in the area starting in 1872.

The village takes pride in historical landmarks like the "10 Mile House," a former stagecoach rest stop that served as part of the Underground Railroad, and the Maywood Public Library, founded in 1874 as one of Illinois' oldest. These historical elements contribute to Maywood's distinctive character and community identity.

Maywood's lighting regulations reflect its commitment to maintaining safety while respecting the village's historical character. Understanding these regulations helps property owners maintain compliance while contributing to the community's overall aesthetic and safety standards.

Quick Reference Guide: Maywood Lighting Requirements

• Safety Lighting Requirements:
• Barricades around work areas must have lights at night
• Excavations and obstructions require sufficient nighttime lighting
• Exit areas need continuous lighting (minimum 5 foot-candles)
• Residential Requirements:
• Swimming pools need adequate nighttime lighting
• Exterior lights on telecommunications towers must remain off when personnel aren't present
• Closets require ceiling lights with wall-mounted switches or motion sensors
• Commercial Requirements:
• Interior lighting cannot prevent full view from public rights-of-way
• Electronic billboards have brightness limitations and require light pollution studies
• Buildings moved on streets require red lights at front and rear from sunset to sunrise

Safety-Related Lighting Requirements

Construction and Excavation Safety

Safety is paramount when it comes to construction work and excavations in Maywood. The village code specifically addresses lighting requirements for these situations to protect residents and visitors.

Barricade Lighting Requirements:

• All barricades protecting work areas must be illuminated at night
• Any openings or excavations in public streets, alleys, or sidewalks must be guarded with proper barricades and lights
• It is unlawful to disturb or interfere with any barricade or light lawfully placed to protect new pavement, excavations, or openings

Nighttime Visibility for Public Safety

The village code requires clear visibility of potential hazards during nighttime hours.

Excavation and Obstruction Lighting:

• Sufficient lighting must be displayed and maintained throughout the night at:
• Each excavation
• Piles of material
• Fences
• Any other obstruction on public highways
• Lighting must enable full public visibility of these hazards
• No person may remove, extinguish, or disturb these safety lights without cause

Building Exit Safety

Exit Lighting Requirements:

• All exit areas must have continuous exterior lighting from dusk to dawn
• Minimum lighting intensity: 5 foot-candles per square foot on floor surfaces within an 8-foot radius around exits
• Battery-powered or solar-powered lighting is permitted if it meets these performance standards

Commercial Property Lighting

Interior Visibility Requirements

Maywood has specific requirements regarding the interior lighting of ground-floor commercial establishments.

• No arrangement of lights or lighting is permitted that prevents a full view of the entire interior from:
• Streets
• Roads
• Sidewalks
• Public rights-of-way
• This requirement applies to all commercial uses on the first or ground floor

Electronic Billboard Regulations

Electronic billboards in Maywood are subject to specific lighting regulations to minimize their impact on surrounding properties.

Billboard Illumination Guidelines:

• Electronic billboards cannot be illuminated to a degree of brightness greater than necessary for adequate visibility
• Billboards with flashing or distracting movement are not permitted
• Billboards causing glare are prohibited
• A photometric study is required before installation to assess illumination impact
• The study must include proposed remedial/corrective options to mitigate light pollution and glare
• An impact fee must be deposited to mitigate or remediate potential effects of light pollution

Residential Lighting Requirements

Swimming Pool Lighting

Private residential swimming pools have specific hours of operation and lighting requirements.

• Swimming pools cannot be used between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Adequate lighting must be provided at night for pools in use
• While "adequate" isn't specifically defined, the requirement suggests sufficient illumination for safety during evening hours

Telecommunications Towers in Residential Areas

Maywood has specific regulations for lighting on telecommunications towers in residential districts.

• In residential districts, exterior lights on towers shall remain off except when personnel are actually present at night
• Towers shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA or other applicable authority
• If lighting is required, designs must cause the least disturbance to surrounding views
• Lighting must be shielded or directed to minimize light falling onto nearby properties, particularly residential properties

Interior Lighting Requirements

The village code includes specific requirements for closet lighting in residential properties.

• All clothes closets must have a mounted ceiling light with a wall-mounted switch or motion sensor
• Closet ceiling lights with pull chains must be replaced with wall-mounted or motion sensor switch ceiling lights when fixtures deteriorate or are replaced
• New or replaced closet fixtures must comply with NEC 410.16

What Property Owners Should Know

Understanding Compliance Requirements

Maywood's lighting regulations primarily focus on safety and visibility rather than aesthetic considerations. Property owners should understand that:

• Safety lighting for excavations, construction sites, and exits is non-negotiable and strictly enforced
• Commercial property owners must ensure interior visibility from public areas
• Residential property owners have fewer specific regulations, but must comply with pool lighting and closet lighting requirements

Planning for New Construction or Renovations

When planning new construction or major renovations:

• Include appropriate exit lighting in your plans (5 foot-candles within 8 feet of exits)
• If installing telecommunications equipment, be aware of the specific lighting limitations
• For electronic billboards, budget for required photometric studies and potential impact fees
• Consider the village's historical character when selecting exterior lighting fixtures

Maintaining Historical Character

While not explicitly required by code, property owners are encouraged to select lighting that complements Maywood's rich historical character. The village's commitment to preserving its architectural heritage suggests that lighting choices should:

• Respect the historical aesthetic of the neighborhood
• Balance modern safety requirements with historical sensitivity
• Consider the visual impact on nearby historical structures

Supporting Maywood's Lighting Vision

As a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands the importance of balancing safety, functionality, and historical preservation in communities like Maywood. We recognize that Maywood's rich historical context shapes its approach to lighting regulations.

Bock Lighting shares Maywood's commitment to preserving historical character while embracing necessary modern technology. Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs allows us to serve as a resource for property owners navigating lighting regulations.

We appreciate Maywood's balanced approach to safety and historical preservation and can help residents understand how lighting choices impact both regulatory compliance and community character. Our experience with projects that respect community character and local regulations makes us a valuable educational resource for Maywood residents.

Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices aligns with Maywood's vision for appropriate illumination that enhances safety while respecting the village's historical identity and architectural heritage.

Conclusion

Maywood's lighting regulations focus primarily on safety while allowing flexibility in design and implementation. The village's requirements ensure proper illumination for safety-critical areas like construction sites, exits, and swimming pools, while limiting potential light pollution from sources like electronic billboards.

Property owners should pay particular attention to safety lighting requirements for exits and construction areas, which have specific technical standards. While aesthetic considerations are less prescriptive in the code, the village's rich historical character suggests that lighting choices should respect and enhance Maywood's unique architectural heritage.

By understanding and adhering to these lighting regulations, Maywood residents can contribute to a safer community while preserving the village's distinctive historical character for future generations.