Will County, IL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential-adjacent cap
- 0.50 footcandles at property line
- Nonresidential-adjacent cap
- 1.00 footcandle at ROW/property line
- Banned outright
- search lights, laser sources, flashing lights
- Applies to
- unincorporated Will County only
- Permit needs
- photometric plan on lighting permits
Summary
Unincorporated Will County caps outdoor light spillover at 0.5 to 1.0 footcandles at the property line and bans search lights and lasers.
Outdoor lighting may not exceed 0.50 footcandles at any point on the abutting property if the subject property abuts a residential zoning district or a lot containing a residential use.
(2) Outdoor lighting may not exceed 1.00 footcandles at the right-of- way line or at any point on the abutting property if the subject property abuts a non-residential zoning district or lot containing a nonresidential use.
(3) All light sources must be shielded to prevent light and glare spillover to adjacent property and abutting rights-of-way.
(4) Flickering lights, flashing lights, search lights and laser source lights are prohibited.
(5) If a complaint is received by the county regarding any nonconforming outdoor lighting, said nonconforming outdoor lighting shall be brought into compliance with this ordinance no later than January 1, 2022.
(C) Measurements.
(1) Metering equipment. Lighting levels must be measured in footcandles with a direct-reading, light meter. The meter must be read within an accuracy of plus or minus 5%.
(2) Method of measurement. The meter sensor must be mounted or maintained not more than six inches above ground level in a horizontal position at the property line. Readings may be taken only after the cell has been exposed long enough to provide a constant reading. Measurements must be made after dark with the light sources in question on, then with the same sources
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 24-100, passed 4-18-2024 and Res. 23-387, passed 11-16-2023; and State legislation approved through 2024 Pamphlet #2).
Full Breakdown
Will County Code § 155-14.110 sets footcandle ceilings for non-exempt outdoor lighting in unincorporated Will County: no more than 0.50 footcandles at any point on abutting property next to a residential district or residential use, and no more than 1.00 footcandle at the right-of-way line or abutting property next to nonresidential zoning. All fixtures must be shielded against glare spillover, and flickering, flashing, search lights and laser source lights are banned outright. Nonconforming lighting that draws a complaint must be brought into compliance. Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plainfield and Lockport enforce their own separate lighting rules inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
Complaint-driven enforcement by the county; nonconforming lighting must be corrected once a complaint is filed, per § 155-14.110(B)(5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Joliet or Bolingbrook?
Are single-family home lights regulated?
What triggers enforcement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
Compare Will County to another location·View the Illinois outdoor lighting overview
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