Oak Park prohibits outdoor lighting that creates glare or light trespass onto adjacent residential properties. Property owners must shield and direct lighting fixtures to confine illumination to their own property. Code Enforcement handles complaints about intrusive lighting from neighbors or commercial properties.
Oak Park's zoning and property maintenance codes address light trespass — unwanted light from one property that spills onto another. Outdoor lighting fixtures must be directed and shielded to contain light within the property boundaries. Specific regulations apply to: residential security lights, which must be aimed to avoid illuminating neighboring homes and yards; commercial property lighting, which must not exceed specified foot-candle levels at the property line abutting residential zones; parking lot lighting, which requires full cutoff fixtures and must comply with illumination plans approved during site plan review. Light trespass complaints are handled by Code Enforcement. The village may require a property owner to adjust, shield, or replace non-compliant fixtures. Motion-activated security lights are permitted but should be properly aimed to avoid triggering from activity on adjacent properties. Interior lighting visible through windows is generally not regulated. The village considers light trespass a quality-of-life issue and responds to resident complaints. Contact Code Enforcement at (708) 358-5440.
Property owners who refuse to correct light trespass after notice face daily fines through administrative adjudication. Commercial properties with non-compliant parking lot lighting may face stop-work orders on related permits. Repeat light trespass complaints result in escalating enforcement action.
Oak Park, IL
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Oak Park, IL
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Oak Park, IL
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Oak Park, IL
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Oak Park, IL
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Oak Park, IL
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle light trespass.
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