DuPage County, IL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Shielding
- Required for all exposed light sources
- Residential lot-line cap
- 1/2 foot-candle
- Nonresidential lot-line cap
- 3 foot-candles
- Coverage
- Unincorporated DuPage County only
- Fine
- $100–$500 per week
Summary
DuPage County's zoning ordinance makes every exposed light source in unincorporated areas, including yard and security lights, shield its glare from spilling onto neighboring lots, roads, or access easements, with hard foot-candle caps measured right at the lot line.
Exposed sources of light shall be controlled so that direct and indirect illumination at the lot lines shall not cause illumination in excess of one-half ((1/2)) foot-candle in residential districts; and ... Exposed sources of light shall be shielded in such a way that the light source shall not create harmful glare that is deleterious to adjacent properties or a road, road right of way or access easement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 37-1010 of the County Zoning Ordinance regulates "exposed sources of light" in every zoning district. Direct and indirect illumination at the lot line can't exceed one-half foot-candle in residential districts or three foot-candles in nonresidential districts, and every light source must be shielded so it doesn't throw harmful glare onto adjacent properties, a road, road right-of-way, or an access easement. Glare is evaluated against the IESNA RP-08-00 roadway lighting standard. This applies only outside incorporated towns and cities, since municipalities inside DuPage run their own zoning once a property is within city limits.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Department of Economic Development and Planning's zoning officials under Sec. 37-1417: an unshielded or glare-throwing light source is a Code violation punishable by a fine of $100 to $500, with each week the violation continues counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover a homeowner's motion-sensor security light?
Does the county rule apply inside Naperville or Wheaton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DuPage County
Compare DuPage County to another location·View the Illinois outdoor lighting overview
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