Evanston, IL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Property-line limit
- 0.5 foot-candle
- Security lighting
- must be motion-activated
- Security light shutoff
- within 5 minutes
- First-offense fine
- $150
Summary
Evanston caps exterior lighting at one-half foot-candle measured at the property line, barring glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties and public ways.
402.4 Exterior lighting. Exterior lighting shall not cause light trespass and shall protect adjacent properties and public ways from glare and excessive lighting. Light level at any property line is limited to one-half (0.5) foot-candle unless otherwise regulated by city code.
Exception:
1.Security lighting: Exterior lighting installed primarily for safety or emergency shall be permitted provided that said lighting is solely for security and activated by a motion or a controlled system and shall be extinguished within 5 minutes of cessation of actual or perceived emergency.2.Holiday lighting: Holiday lighting subject to NFPA 70 National Electric Code regulations as adopted and amended by the City of Evanston.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
Evanston's Property Maintenance Code bars exterior lighting that causes light trespass or fails to protect adjacent properties and public ways from glare and excessive lighting. The light level at any property line is capped at one-half (0.5) foot-candle unless another city code section sets a different limit. Two exceptions apply: motion-activated security lighting used solely for safety, which must shut off within 5 minutes after the emergency ends, and holiday lighting, which is instead governed by the adopted National Electrical Code. Building & Development Services enforces the cap against homeowners and businesses alike.
Violations & Fines
First offense $150, second $400, third and later $750, with each day a violation continues after notice counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can my outdoor lighting be at the property line in Evanston?
Can I run security floodlights all night in Evanston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
Compare Evanston to another location·View the Illinois outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Light Trespass & Shielding in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle light trespass & shielding.