The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the placement, orientation, distribution, intensity, fixture type and size of outdoor lighting. The intent of this chapter is to encourage lighting that provides safety, utility and security, as well as preventing glare on public roadways, and protecting the privacy of adjoining properties.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

Flood lamp. A specific form of lamp designed to direct its output in a specific direction (a beam) but with a diffusing glass envelope. Such lamps are so designated by the manufacturers and are typically used in residential outdoor area lighting.

Glare. A light ray emanating directly from a lamp, reflector or lens such that it falls directly on the eye of the observer.

Lumen. Unit of luminous flux; used to measure the amount of light emitted by lamps.

Luminaire. The complete lighting assembly, less the support assembly. For purposes of determining total light output from a luminaire, lighting assemblies, which include multiple unshielded or partially shielded lamps on a single pole or standard shall be considered as a single unit.

Lux. Unit of illuminance equal to one lumen per square meter. It is the luminous flux per unit area in the metric system. One lux equals approximately ten foot-candles.

Shielded. A fixture that is shielded in such a manner that light rays emitted by the fixture, either directly or indirectly from the fixture, are projected at least 15 degrees below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where the light is emitted.

Spot lamp. A specific form of lamp designed to direct its output in a specific direction (a beam) and with a clear or nearly clear glass envelope; such lamps are so designated by the manufacturers, and typically used in residential outdoor area lighting.

Temporary lighting. Lighting which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter and which will not be used for more than two 30-day periods within a calendar year, with one 30-day extension for each period. Temporary lighting is intended for uses, which by their nature are of limited duration, for example, holiday decorations, civic events or construction projects.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

All outdoor artificial illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, and applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance. Where there is conflict between the provisions of this chapter and applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance, the most restrictive shall govern.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

The output of a luminaire shall be determined as specified by the manufacturer of the luminaire as printed on the lamp or packaging for the lamp or, if it is illegible, shall be determined by contacting the manufacturer for the specification. The lumens for each luminaire shall be based on the manufacturer's specification of the luminaire when it is new. The lumens per site or parcel shall be determined by using the sum of the lumens for all applicable luminaires divided by the area of the site. This chapter is based on the total lumens of the site as determined above and not upon a measurement of the amount of light actually emitted.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

New uses, buildings and major additions or modifications. For all proposed new land uses, developments, buildings, and structures that require a permit, all outdoor lighting fixtures shall meet the requirements of this chapter. All building additions or modifications of 25 percent or more in terms of additional dwelling units, gross floor area, or parking spaces, either with a single addition or with cumulative additions subsequent to the effective date of this provision, shall invoke the requirements of this chapter for the entire property, including previously installed and any new outdoor lighting. Cumulative modification or replacement of outdoor lighting constituting 25 percent or more of the permitted lumens for the parcel, no matter the actual amount of lighting already on a nonconforming site, shall constitute a major addition for purposes of this section.

(b)

Minor additions. Additions or modifications of less than 25 percent to existing uses, as defined in subsection (a) of this section, and that require a permit, shall require the submission of a complete inventory and site plan detailing all existing and any proposed new outdoor lighting. Any new lighting on the site shall meet the requirements of this chapter with regard to shielding and lamp type. The total outdoor light output after the modifications are complete shall not exceed that on the site before the modification, or that permitted by this chapter, whichever is larger.

(c)

Existing uses and buildings. After a period of ten years from the date of enactment of this chapter, any lighting in place prior to the enactment date shall come under the provisions of this chapter.

(d)

Roadways. Municipal lighting for public roadways is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

All nonexempt outdoor lighting fixtures shall be fully shielded.

(b)

Flood or spot lamps must be fully shielded and aimed no higher than 45 degrees above straight down (halfway between straight down and horizontal) when the source is visible from an off site residential property or public roadway.

(c)

Seasonal decorations using typical unshielded low wattage incandescent lamps shall be permitted.

(d)

All lighting for commercial, industrial and any other nonresidential activities shall be extinguished between 11:00 p.m. (or whenever business closes, whichever is later) and sunrise. Security lighting for these establishments shall conform with the other provisions of this chapter.

(e)

Each residential single-family detached home or duplex is allowed up to 5,500 total lumens per parcel. Agricultural enterprises are allowed up to 25,000 lumens per parcel. Commercial/industrial or business uses shall not exceed 70,000 lumens per acre.

(f)

All light fixtures that are required to be shielded shall be installed and maintained in such a manner that the shielding is effective as described herein for fully shielded fixtures.

(g)

Beyond the shielding requirements of this chapter, all light fixtures shall be located, aimed or shielded so as to minimize stray light trespassing across property boundaries.

(h)

Multiuse lighting must conform to the shielding and timing restrictions, if any, that apply to the most restrictive included use.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

External illumination for signs shall be counted as applying toward the lumens cap per site and are subject to all applicable provisions of this chapter. All upward directed sign lighting is prohibited.

(b)

Internally illuminated signs are not prohibited and are not counted toward the lumen cap on a site.

(c)

Neon signs shall be counted as internally illuminated signs for the purposes of this chapter.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

Recreational facilities.

(1)

Exemption. Lighting for outdoor athletic fields, courts or tracks shall be exempt from the lumens limits of this chapter.

(2)

Curfew. All events shall be scheduled so as to complete all activity no later than 11:00 p.m. Illumination of the playing field, court or track shall be permitted after the curfew only to conclude a scheduled event that was unable to conclude before the curfew due to unusual circumstances. Field lighting for these facilities shall be turned off within one hour after the last event of the night.

(b)

Service station canopies.

(1)

Shielding. All luminaires must be recessed into the lower surface of service station canopies and parking structures shall utilize flat lenses.

(2)

Total under canopy output. The total light output used for illuminating service station canopies, defined as the sum of all under canopy initial bare lamp outputs in lumens, shall not exceed 430 lumens per square meter (40 lumens per square foot) not limited to luminaires mounted on the lower surface or recessed into the lower surface of the canopy, illuminated panels over the pumps, is to be included toward the total at full initial lumen output.

(3)

Lumens. The lumen output of lamps mounted on or within the lower surface of a canopy is included toward the lumens per acre according to the method defined above. Other lighting located under a canopy but not mounted on or within the lower surface is included toward the lumen caps at full initial output.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

Submission contents. The applicant for any permit required by any provision of the laws of this jurisdiction in connection with proposed work involving outdoor lighting fixtures shall submit (as part of the application for permit) evidence that the proposed work will comply with this chapter. Even should no other such permit be required, the installation or modification (except for routine servicing and same type lamp replacement) of any exterior lighting shall require submission of the information described below. The submission shall contain, but shall not necessarily be limited to the following, all or part of which may be part or in addition to the information required elsewhere in the laws of this jurisdiction upon application for the required permit:

(1)

Plans indicating the location on the premises of each illuminating device, both proposed and any already existing on the site;

(2)

Description of all illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, both proposed and existing. The description may include, but is not limited to, catalog cuts and illustrations by manufacturers (including sections where required);

(3)

Photometric data, such as that furnished by manufacturers, or similar showing the angle of cut off of light emissions.

(b)

Additional submission. The above required plans, descriptions and data shall be sufficiently complete to enable the village building inspector to readily determine whether compliance with the requirements of this chapter will be secured. If such plans, descriptions and data cannot enable this ready determination, the applicant shall additionally submit evidence of compliance to enable such determination.

(c)

Subdivision plats. If any subdivision proposes to have installed street or other common or public area outdoor lighting, submission of the information as described herein shall be required for all such lighting.

(d)

Lamp or fixture substitution. Should any outdoor light fixture or the type of light source therein be changed after the permit has been issued, a change request must be submitted to the village of Stillman Valley zoning board for approval, together with adequate information to assure compliance with this chapter, which must be received prior to substitution.

(e)

Plan review. If the village zoning board determines that the proposed lighting does not comply with this chapter, the permit shall not be issued nor the plan approved by the village board of trustees.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

Laser source light. The use of laser source light or any similar high intensity light for outdoor advertising or entertainment, when projected above the horizontal, is prohibited.

(b)

Searchlights. The operation of searchlights for advertising purposes is prohibited.

(c)

Outdoor advertising off site signs. Illumination of outdoor advertising off site signs is prohibited.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

Request; renewal; information required. Any person may submit to the village board of trustees, a temporary exemption request. The request shall contain the following information:

(1)

Specific chapter exemption(s) requested;

(2)

Duration of requested exemption(s);

(3)

Proposed location on premises of the proposed light fixture(s);

(4)

Purpose of the proposed lighting;

(5)

Information for each luminaire and lamp combination as required herein;

(6)

Previous temporary exemptions, if any, and addresses of premises thereunder;

(7)

Such other data and information as may be required by the village board of trustees.

(b)

Approval; duration. The village board of trustees shall have 30 days from the date of submission of the request for temporary exemption to act, in writing, on the request. If approved, the exemption shall be valid for not more than 30 days from the date of issuance of the approval. The approval shall be renewable upon further written request, at the discretion of the village board of trustees, for a maximum of one additional 30-day period. The village board is not authorized to grant more than two temporary permits and one renewal each permit for a 30-day period for the same property within one calendar year.

(c)

Disapproval; appeal. If the request for temporary exemption or its extension is disapproved, the person making the request will have the appeal rights provided by the municipality.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

Public lighting. All outdoor light fixtures originating from public areas and ways, including, but not limited to, parks, rights-of-way or other public facilities that are installed for the benefit of the public health, safety and welfare.

(b)

Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting, used by police, firefighting, or medical personnel, or at their direction, is exempt from all requirements of this chapter for as long as the emergency exists.

(c)

Swimming pool and fountain lighting. Underwater lighting used for the illumination of swimming pools and fountains is exempt from the lamp type and shielding standards provided herein, though it must conform to all other provisions of this chapter.

(d)

Residential fixtures. Outdoor light fixtures attached to residential buildings and located below the eave and less than 2,000 lumens are exempt from the provisions of this chapter. Light fixtures 2,000 lumens and over are not exempt. Outdoor fixtures above the eave, or attached to buildings or poles separate from the residence are not exempt. All spot or flood lights shall be fully shielded to prevent glare and light trespass beyond the property boundary, and directed no more than 45 degrees above straight down. The acceptability and shielding restrictions applicable to a particular lamp are decided by its initial lumen output, not wattage; check manufacturer's specifications.

Examples of lamp types of 2,000 lumens and less are:

(1)

100 watt standard incandescent;

(2)

15 watt cool white fluorescent;

(3)

15 watt compact fluorescent;

(4)

18 watt low pressure sodium.

(e)

Flags, lighted. United States and State of Illinois flags are exempt from the provisions of this chapter. All other outdoor lighted flags, such as, but not limited to, decorative and commercial flags shall conform to the provisions of this chapter.

(f)

Holiday lighting. Holiday lighting is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(g)

Towers. Legally required safety lighting for towers shall be exempt from this chapter.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)

(a)

Violations. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this chapter or the Illinois statutes. Each day that the violation continues after notification of noncompliance shall constitute a separate offense. The municipality may institute appropriate action or proceedings to enjoin violations of this chapter or applicable Illinois statutes.

(b)

Penalties. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, forfeit no less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00, and also pay the costs of prosecution for each violation, including the municipality's reasonable and actual attorney fees and disbursements incurred in the prosecution of such violations.

(Ord. 654, 7-12-2004; Ord. 1001, §§ 11, 12, 9-12-2022)