Lighting Regulations in Romeoville, Illinois: Balancing Growth with Community Character

Introduction

Romeoville, Illinois has evolved from its early days as a trading post for French voyagers and Potawatomi Indians to become a thriving suburban community of approximately 40,000 residents. With its significant growth since the 1990s—when the population jumped from 14,074 to nearly 40,000 by 2010—the village has developed lighting regulations that balance modern infrastructure needs with community character preservation.

As a community with historical significance dating back to the Underground Railroad and early settlement in the 1820s, Romeoville's approach to lighting reflects both practical considerations and respect for the village's unique identity.

Quick Reference Guide to Romeoville's Lighting Regulations

• Light Trespass Limit: 0.0 footcandles at residential property lines
• Maximum Mounting Height: 30 feet (20 feet within 200 feet of residential areas)
• Required Fixture Type: Fully shielded or full cutoff fixtures
• Business Hours: Non-residential lighting must be turned off 60 minutes after closing
• Street Light Spacing: Maximum 350 feet apart on local streets
• Dynamic Display Brightness: Maximum 5,000 nits daytime, 250 nits nighttime
• Photometric Plan: Required for all non-residential developments with parking lots

Street Lighting Requirements

Location and Spacing

Romeoville has clear requirements for street lighting placement in new developments:

• Street lights must be provided at every cross or "T" intersection and at the end of every cul-de-sac or eyebrow on local streets
• Additional street lights shall be spaced no more than 350 feet apart
• All street lights must be installed in public easements or dedicated public rights-of-way
• Trees shall not be placed within 15 feet of a street light

Technical Standards

Street lighting in Romeoville must conform to specific technical requirements:

• Design must follow the "American National Standard Practice for Roadway Lighting" (latest edition)
• All materials must meet requirements of applicable IES NEMA standards
• All materials must be approved by Underwriters Laboratory
• Street lights in residential areas consist primarily of aluminum standards with contemporary post top luminaires
• Residential street lights must have a luminaire mounting height of 16 feet above grade
• When mastarms and horizontal burning luminaires are used, maximum height is 25 feet above grade
• All underground wiring must use polyethylene uniduct or be installed in conduit (minimum 2 inch)

Residential Illumination Standards

Purpose and Applicability

The residential illumination standards in Romeoville aim to protect public health and general welfare by controlling adverse impacts of glare and light trespass. These standards apply to all Residential Zoning Districts.

Key Requirements

• Glare Control: Outdoor lighting must have shielding and/or beam-angle control
• Light Direction: Lighting must be directed, shaded, shielded to prevent glare on adjacent properties
• Light Trespass Limit: Average maintained foot-candles at property lines may not exceed 0.10 foot-candles
• Yard Lamps: Must be located minimum 6 feet from back side of public sidewalk
• Yard Lamp Intensity: Must have low intensity luminaire to prevent interference with adjacent properties
• Yard Lamp Height: Bulb height cannot exceed 6 feet

Commercial Lighting Standards

Fixture Requirements

Romeoville requires specific light fixtures for commercial developments:

• Standard Fixture: Matte black architectural style light fixture with arched mounting arm and bell-shaped reflector shade
• Route 66 Corridor Standard: Matte black traditionally styled colonial lantern with four-sided tapered cage and solid black metal roof
• Poles: Must be located in landscaped areas/planter islands, on concrete bases with no more than 8 inches above grade, and must be numbered

Illuminance Levels

Different commercial uses have specific illumination requirements:

• Regional shopping center: 3.6 fc average, 0.6 fc minimum, 6:1 uniformity ratio
• Fast food facility: 3.6 fc average, 0.6 fc minimum, 6:1 uniformity ratio
• Commercial shopping center: 2.4 fc average, 0.4 fc minimum, 6:1 uniformity ratio
• Office parking: 2.4 fc average, 0.4 fc minimum, 6:1 uniformity ratio
• Church parking: 2.4 fc average, 0.4 fc minimum, 6:1 uniformity ratio
• Building entrances: 5.0 fc minimum
• Bank drive-thru/ATM: 40 fc maximum
• Service station pump islands: 30 fc average, 45 fc maximum

Light Trespass Prevention

Commercial developments must take special precautions near residential areas:

• Zero Tolerance: Light level at property line produced by non-residential lighting shall not exceed 0.0 footcandles at residential property lines
• Height Restrictions: Luminaries within 200 feet of residential districts cannot exceed 20 feet above grade
• Service Station Requirements: Canopy lighting must use flat-lens full-cutoff down-lighting fixtures with edges level with light source

Sign Illumination Rules

General Requirements

• Illuminated signs in residential districts cannot be illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., unless the business is open
• No sign can direct beams or illumination onto adjacent property or cause glare/reflection
• A photometric plan may be required to confirm zero foot candles at property line
• All wiring must be in accordance with Romeoville Building Code and enclosed in rigid conduit or raceways

Dynamic Display Requirements

Electronic message boards/dynamic displays must follow strict guidelines:

• Minimum Dwell Time: Messages must remain static for at least 10 seconds
• Maximum Brightness: 5,000 nits during daylight, 250 nits between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise
• Automatic Adjustment: Must have light detector/photocell that adjusts brightness to ambient light
• Spacing: Must be at least 500 feet from any other dynamic display sign (1,000 feet in I-55 Corridor)

What Property Owners Should Know

Documentation Requirements

When undertaking a new development or significant modification, property owners must provide:

• Photometric Plan: Required for all non-residential projects and residential developments with parking lots
• Detailed Information: Plans must show location, size (wattage), mounting height, orientation, and design of all outdoor lighting
• Illumination Grid: Levels of illumination in footcandles at ground level (minimum 10' x 10' grid)
• Catalog Sheets: Showing all proposed lighting fixtures

Operation and Maintenance

• After-Hours Operation: All non-residential lighting must be turned off 60 minutes after business hours
• Security Lighting: Must be illuminated ½ hour before sunset and turned off ½ hour after sunrise
• Maintenance: All lighting fixtures must be maintained and operable per the International Property Maintenance Code
• Non-Conforming Lighting: All fixtures must be brought into conformity when 50% or more of poles are changed or replaced

Supporting Romeoville's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, with roots dating back to 1918 in Northeast Ohio, understands the balance Romeoville seeks to maintain between modern infrastructure and historical character. As a manufacturer with deep experience in communities undergoing growth, we appreciate Romeoville's thoughtful approach to lighting standards that preserve community character while ensuring safety and functionality.

Our expertise in architectural lighting solutions aligns with Romeoville's detailed standards for fixture types, mounting requirements, and illumination levels. We understand the village's need for lighting that complements both its historical character—particularly along the Route 66 corridor—and its modern developments.

Bock Lighting is committed to serving as an educational resource to help property owners understand and navigate Romeoville's lighting regulations. With our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs, we can assist in creating lighting solutions that respect community character and comply with local regulations.

Conclusion

Romeoville's lighting regulations reflect the village's commitment to maintaining a balance between growth and community character. The detailed standards for residential, commercial, and public lighting aim to create a safe, attractive environment while minimizing negative impacts like light pollution and glare.

For property owners planning new development or renovations, understanding these regulations early in the planning process is essential. The village's requirements for photometric plans, specific fixture types, and precise illumination levels require careful consideration and documentation.

By adhering to these thoughtfully designed standards, residents and businesses contribute to Romeoville's distinctive character and quality of life as the community continues to grow and evolve.