Lighting Regulations in Mount Vernon, Illinois: Balancing History and Safety in the King City

Introduction

Mount Vernon, Illinois, known as the "King City," has a rich historical legacy dating back to its founding in 1819. Named in honor of George Washington's Virginia estate, this Jefferson County community spans approximately 13 square miles and is located about 65 miles east of St. Louis.

With a deep commitment to preserving its historical character while ensuring public safety, Mount Vernon has developed lighting regulations that reflect its values. These regulations aim to maintain the town's traditional charm while meeting modern illumination needs for safety, visibility, and aesthetic appeal.

Quick Reference Guide: Essential Lighting Requirements

• Habitable Rooms: Must have natural or artificial lighting producing at least 6 foot-candles average illumination (3 foot-candles minimum in bathrooms) at 30 inches above floor level
• Multi-Dwelling Public Halls/Stairways: Require 10 foot-candles minimum at floor level
• Sexually Oriented Business Parking Areas: Must maintain 5 foot-candles average horizontal illumination from dusk to closing
• Maximum Sign Luminance: 750 cd/m² (Nits) for all illuminated signs
• Street Lighting in Subdivisions: Maximum spacing of 300 feet with concrete or steel poles connected by underground wiring
• Light Trespass: Industrial uses cannot exceed 0.1 foot-candle at residential district boundaries
• Sidewalk Dining: Lighting must complement existing building design without causing glare to pedestrians or vehicles

Residential Lighting Requirements

Interior Illumination Standards

Every habitable room in Mount Vernon must include adequate lighting through either:

• At least one window or skylight facing outdoors, or
• Artificial lighting producing a minimum of 6 foot-candles average illumination over the room area at 30 inches above floor level
• Bathrooms require a minimum of 3 foot-candles of illumination

Multi-Family Dwelling Requirements

Public halls and stairways in buildings with multiple dwelling units have specific requirements:

• Must be adequately lit at all times with natural or electrical light
• Must provide at least 10 foot-candles of illumination at floor level
• Buildings with fewer than 2 dwelling units may use conveniently located light switches instead of full-time lighting

Safety Standards

Mount Vernon's code explicitly states that dwellings lacking adequate illumination to protect the health and safety of occupants are considered unfit for human habitation.

Commercial Lighting Regulations

Sidewalk Dining Areas

Lighting for outdoor dining spaces must:

• Complement the existing building and sidewalk dining area design
• Not cause glare to passing pedestrians or vehicles
• May include candles and low-wattage battery-operated fixtures for tabletop lighting
• Additional lighting may be attached to the adjacent restaurant with written approval from the City Manager

Drive-In Windows (Alcoholic Beverage Sales)

Businesses with drive-in windows selling alcoholic beverages must meet these requirements:

• Must be adequately lit by natural or artificial white light during business hours
• From sunset until closing, must be directly lit by at least two 300-watt incandescent lamps (or equivalent)
• Lamps must be spaced at least 8 feet apart and located over or near the window
• Light rays must effectively illuminate the area immediately adjacent to the window

Parking Areas

• Adequate lighting facilities must be provided for off-street parking spaces
• For conditional use applications, exterior lighting is reviewed with reference to glare, traffic safety, and compatibility with surrounding properties

Sign Illumination Standards

General Requirements

• Signs in any zoning district may be illuminated at night (with specific exceptions)
• Maximum luminance: 750 cd/m² or Nits, regardless of illumination method
• Must comply with maximum luminance at least 30 minutes before apparent sunset
• External illumination must use fully shielded lighting fixtures

Electronic Message Centers (EMCs)

• Must have automatic dimming controls (photocell or software) to comply with illumination standards
• In residential zones: minimum display time of 8 seconds with transition time limited to 3 seconds
• Prohibited features in residential zones: continuous scrolling/traveling, flashing, spinning, rotating, and similar moving effects
• In non-residential zones: all display features permitted except flashing and full motion video

Prohibited Sign Lighting

• Signs containing strobe lights, revolving lights, or search lights (with limited exceptions)
• Flashing lights on sexually oriented businesses
• External or internal illumination on temporary signs in residential districts (for single/two-family dwellings)

Street Lighting Requirements

Subdivision Standards

New subdivisions must include street lighting that:

• Provides adequate lighting of public streets in accordance with city standards
• Uses concrete or steel poles connected by underground wiring
• Maintains a maximum spacing of 300 feet between street lights

Tree Maintenance for Street Lighting

• Property owners must prune tree branches that obstruct light from street lamps
• A clear space of 8 feet above the street or sidewalk surface must be maintained
• The city retains the right to prune trees or shrubs on private property when they interfere with the proper spread of light

Special Use Lighting Requirements

Sexually Oriented Businesses

These establishments have very specific lighting requirements:

• Exterior Areas:
• Parking and walkways: 2-5 foot-candles average horizontal illumination
• Remaining exterior surfaces: 2-5 foot-candles average horizontal illumination
• Maximum fixture height: 25 feet from ground surface
• Maximum light trespass: 1 foot-candle at 10 feet from property boundary
• Interior Areas:
• General interior: Minimum 2 foot-candles at floor level
• Restrooms: Minimum 15 foot-candles at floor level
• Viewing rooms: Minimum 5 foot-candles at floor level
• Lighting controls must be inaccessible to patrons

Industrial Applications

• Light Industrial Uses (I-I): No illumination exceeding 0.1 foot-candle at any residence district boundary
• Special effects lighting (strobe, flashing, party, laser) must not be directly visible from any street or adjoining property

Supporting Mount Vernon's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, understands the delicate balance Mount Vernon strives to achieve between preserving its historic character and implementing modern lighting solutions. As a company that values architectural heritage, we appreciate Mount Vernon's thoughtful approach to lighting regulations.

Communities like Mount Vernon benefit from lighting solutions that respect both history and functionality. Bock Lighting shares Mount Vernon's commitment to maintaining community character while ensuring proper illumination for safety and visibility. Our understanding of regional architectural styles allows us to serve as a resource for property owners navigating these regulations.

We recognize that Mount Vernon's lighting standards aim to enhance the city's historic charm while providing adequate illumination for residents and businesses. This balanced approach aligns with our philosophy of creating lighting solutions that complement a community's unique character.

Conclusion

Mount Vernon's lighting regulations reflect its dual commitment to preserving historical character and ensuring public safety. Property owners should carefully review these requirements when planning lighting installations or modifications, particularly regarding illumination levels, fixture types, and potential light trespass.

By following these regulations, residents and business owners contribute to maintaining the distinctive character of the "King City" while ensuring proper illumination for safety and visibility. These thoughtful standards help Mount Vernon preserve its historical legacy while meeting modern lighting needs.