Lighting Regulations in Mount Prospect, Illinois: Balancing Safety, Aesthetics, and Community Values

Introduction

Mount Prospect, Illinois, incorporated in 1917, has evolved from its agricultural roots into a thriving suburban community in the Chicago metropolitan area. With a rich history influenced by Native American inhabitants, Yankee settlers, and German immigrants, the village has developed a unique character that balances modern needs with historical preservation.

The village's lighting regulations reflect this careful balance – designed to enhance public safety while preserving the aesthetic appeal and historical integrity that residents value. As Mount Prospect continues to grow and develop, these lighting standards help maintain the community's distinctive character and high quality of life.

Quick Reference Guide to Mount Prospect Lighting Regulations

• Light Trespass Limits at property lines: 0.1 foot-candles (residential) to 5.0 foot-candles (industrial)
• Hours Restriction: Most illuminated signs within 100 feet of residential property must be turned off between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM
• Fixture Requirements: Full cutoff luminaires with flat lenses required for most outdoor lighting
• Maximum Light Pole Height: 30 feet or district height limit (whichever is less)
• Maximum Sign Brightness: 75 foot-candles when measured perpendicular to sign face
• Electronic Message Centers: Must not exceed 0.3 foot-candles over ambient lighting conditions
• Parking Lot Lighting: Required for lots with more than 4 spaces

General Outdoor Lighting Requirements

Fixture Design

Mount Prospect has established specific requirements for outdoor lighting fixtures to minimize light pollution and glare:

• Full Cutoff Luminaires: Must have a total cutoff angle not exceeding 90°
• Flat Lenses: Required for all lighting fixtures
• Wall Lights: Must be full cutoff and fully shielded
• Canopy Lighting: All lighting mounted under canopies must be full cutoff

Light Trespass Limitations

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

• Single-family residential: 0.1 foot-candles maximum
• Multi-family residential: 0.2 foot-candles maximum
• Business: 2.0 foot-candles maximum
• Industrial: 5.0 foot-candles maximum
• Park, school, institutional: 5.0 foot-candles maximum
• Arterial right-of-way: 2.0 foot-candles maximum
• Other right-of-way: 0.5 foot-candles maximum

Maximum Illumination Levels

Different property types have specific maximum average illumination levels:

• Auto dealerships (display areas only): 50 foot-candles
• Business districts: 5 foot-candles
• Commercial and industrial canopy lighting: 30 foot-candles
• Loading/unloading platforms: 20 foot-candles
• Outdoor sports lighting: 40 foot-candles
• Park, school, institutional, and industrial uses: 5 foot-candles

Sign Illumination Regulations

General Requirements

• Maximum Brightness: No sign may exceed 75 foot-candles when measured perpendicular to the face from a distance equal to the narrowest dimension of the sign
• Hours Restriction: Illuminated signs within 100 feet of residential property must be turned off between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM unless the business is operating with employees on premises
• Light Source Protection: Floodlights, gooseneck reflectors, or other external sources must be contained within a protective casing
• Glare Prevention: Illumination must be prevented from striking or causing glare on streets or nearby properties

Installation Requirements

All sign illumination must be installed or applied such that:

• The light source is contained within the sign and visible only through a translucent surface or recessed into the sign structure; OR
• The light source is external to the sign and directed to and concentrated on the sign; OR
• The light source is supplied by neon tubing

Electronic Message Center (EMC) Signs

Standard EMC Requirements

• Maximum Brightness: Must not exceed 0.3 foot-candles over ambient lighting conditions
• Automatic Dimming: All EMC signs must have sensors that automatically adjust brightness according to ambient light conditions

Special District Requirements

For EMC signs in C-R, R-X, R-1, and R-A districts:

• Curfew: Must be turned off between 30 minutes after sunset or 7:00 PM (whichever is earlier) until 7:00 AM the following morning
• Light Intensity: Maximum 4 foot-candles in night-mode white screen setting when measured at 10 feet from the sign
• International Dark-Sky Association guidelines apply

Parking Lot Lighting Requirements

General Requirements

• Mandatory Lighting: All parking lots with more than 4 required spaces must provide lighting
• Pole Height: Maximum 30 feet (including pole, support, fixture, and related equipment)
• Pole Material: Must be metal or other material approved by the Village Engineer (wood poles prohibited)
• Protection: Light poles must be protected by curbed landscape islands

Illumination Levels

Parking lots must meet both minimum and maximum illumination standards:

• Multi-family residential: Minimum 0.1 foot-candles, Maximum Average 1.5 foot-candles
• Commercial: Minimum 0.2 foot-candles, Maximum Average 5.0 foot-candles
• Industrial: Minimum 0.2 foot-candles, Maximum Average 5.0 foot-candles
• Park, school and institutional: Minimum 0.2 foot-candles, Maximum Average 25.0 foot-candles

Street Lighting Standards

Location Requirements

• Arterial and Collector Streets: Poles must maintain 1.2 average foot-candles (after depreciation)
• Maximum/Minimum Ratio: 6:1
• Average/Minimum Ratio: 3:1
• Pole Placement: Set in parkway 2 feet from back of curb
• Residential Areas: Spaced at distances not exceeding 300 feet

Light Pole and Fixture Specifications

Mount Prospect requires specific light pole designs for different areas:

• Residential Areas:
• 25-foot mounting height with 10-foot truss arm
• Spun aluminum construction with bolt-down bases
• Commercial Areas:
• 30-foot mounting height
• Spun aluminum construction with bolt-down bases
• Where black finish is desired, anodized duranotic black finish required (painted steel poles not allowed)
• Downtown Business Districts:
• Special designs in keeping with the character of the area as specified by the Director of Public Works

What Property Owners Should Know

Documentation Requirements

When applying for permits, be prepared to submit:

• Lighting Plan: Signed and sealed by a professional engineer
• Complete Fixture Details: Including locations, heights, and specifications
• Photometric Data: For all paved areas at no more than 20-foot spacing
• Property Line Measurements: Photometric data at all property lines at no more than 50-foot spacing
• Scale Drawings: Not less than 1" = 50'

Compliance Considerations

• Non-Operating Hours: All lighting must be reduced to security levels during hours when the principal use is not operating
• Maintenance: All outdoor lighting must be kept in good working order
• Alterations: Non-conforming lighting must be altered to comply with regulations

Supporting Mount Prospect's Lighting Vision

As a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, Bock Lighting understands the importance of lighting regulations in maintaining community character while ensuring safety and functionality.

We appreciate Mount Prospect's balanced approach to lighting standards, which preserves the village's historical character while embracing modern technology. Our expertise in regional architectural styles and lighting needs aligns with Mount Prospect's vision for thoughtful community development.

Bock Lighting serves as an educational resource for communities navigating lighting regulations, helping property owners understand how to achieve both compliance and aesthetic harmony. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible lighting practices supports Mount Prospect's efforts to minimize light pollution while providing appropriate illumination.

With our deep understanding of how lighting affects community character, Bock Lighting is proud to support Mount Prospect's vision of a well-lit, safe community that honors its historical roots.

Conclusion

Mount Prospect's lighting regulations reflect the village's commitment to balancing safety, functionality, and aesthetic considerations. By establishing clear standards for outdoor lighting, the village ensures that development enhances rather than detracts from the community's character.

Property owners and developers should familiarize themselves with these requirements early in the planning process to ensure compliance and avoid costly modifications. When properly implemented, these lighting standards help create a safer, more attractive environment for all Mount Prospect residents and visitors.

By respecting these thoughtful regulations, we all contribute to maintaining Mount Prospect's reputation as a community that values both its historical heritage and modern amenities.