Winnebago County, IL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- UDO Sec. 18.3.5
- Unshielded lighting
- Banned, except temporary events
- Non-residential pole cap
- 25 feet (60 ft schools/parks)
- Residential pole cap
- 8 ft single/two-family homes
- Wall-mounted lighting cap
- 14 ft above first floor
Summary
Winnebago County's zoning code bans unshielded outdoor light fixtures countywide and requires non-residential light poles to use fully shielded luminaires, with height caps to limit glare onto neighboring properties.
The use of unshielded lighting, including incandescent light bulbs hung or strung on poles, wires, or any other type of support, are prohibited, except on a temporary basis in areas where approved carnivals, fairs or other similar activities are held and only when such activities are taking place. This does not include holiday lighting on private property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
Under Section 18.3.5 (Exterior Lighting) of the Winnebago County Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 90, Article 18, unshielded fixtures, including bare incandescent bulbs strung on poles or wires, are prohibited on private property in unincorporated Winnebago County, with a narrow exception for temporary carnivals, fairs, or similar events and for holiday lighting. Non-residential light poles and building-mounted fixtures must use fully shielded luminaires and cannot exceed 25 feet (60 feet for schools or public outdoor recreation facilities); wall mounts are capped at 18 feet. Residential light poles are capped at 8 feet for single- and two-family lots and 16 feet for multi-family/townhouse uses, with wall-mounted lighting limited to 14 feet above the first floor. This applies only to unincorporated county land, cities like Rockford enforce their own lighting codes.
Violations & Fines
A shielding or height violation is handled as a zoning code enforcement matter by the county; the zoning administrator can require correction of the fixture or issue citations for noncompliance during site plan review or inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Rockford?
Are string lights or holiday lights banned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Illinois outdoor lighting overview
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