Waukegan, IL Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture rule
- Full cut-off or fully shielded, all new/replacement
- Near-residential rule
- Shielded/aimed inward within 20 ft of residential line
- R1/R2 lumen cap
- 890 lumens per fixture, fully shielded
- R3-R5/non-res cap
- 3,000 lumens per fixture
- Lot-line max
- 0.5 foot-candles, 0.25 behind front setback
- Pole height
- 20 ft max in residential areas
- Fine range
- $25-$750 per day (Sec. 1-13)
Summary
Every new or replacement outdoor light fixture in Waukegan must be full cut-off or fully shielded. Fixtures within 20 feet of a residential property line must be aimed inward and shielded from the neighboring residence, and residential lots cap fixtures at 890 lumens.
3.Fixtures. All new and replacement outdoor lighting must have full cut-off or fully shielded fixtures. For non-residential uses, fixtures located within 20 feet of a residential property line must be directed toward the interior of the property and fully shielded from view of the adjacent residential property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
10 of the Unified Development Ordinance is Waukegan's outdoor lighting standard, adopted to prevent light trespass, promote energy efficiency, and minimize light pollution. 3 sets the fixture-shielding mandate at the center of the dark-sky rule: all new and replacement outdoor lighting must have full cut-off or fully shielded fixtures, and for non-residential uses, any fixture within 20 feet of a residential property line must be directed toward the interior of the property and fully shielded from view of the adjacent residential property. 1, along with any lighting that could be mistaken for a traffic control device.
(backlight-uplight-glare) rating. 0 foot-candles for a driveway serving as ingress or egress. Color temperature is also regulated: residential and commercial fixtures must stay within 2700 to 3000 Kelvin with a minimum 70 percent color rendering index. Light poles in residential areas are capped at 20 feet, and building-mounted fixtures, including under-soffit lighting, cannot exceed five feet in height. 8 before installing outdoor fixtures.
Violations & Fines
The Zoning Administrator enforces Section 11.10 under UDO Section 1.03.F and can require an unshielded, glaring, or over-bright fixture to be replaced or re-aimed. Section 11.10 sets no standalone fine, so a lighting violation is punished under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-13(a): $25.00 to $750.00 per day, with each day the noncompliant fixture stays lit counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need shielded lighting on my Waukegan house?
How bright can my Waukegan porch or yard light be?
Can I install flashing or colored security lights outside my Waukegan home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukegan
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