Schaumburg, IL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential/institutional line
- 0.25 footcandles maximum
- Commercial property line
- 0.5 footcandles maximum
- Street right-of-way
- 2.0 footcandles maximum
- Driveway exception
- Up to 2x average footcandle level
- Verification
- Photometric plans required with permit
- Design standard cited
- IES RP-20-98 parking facility lighting
Summary
Schaumburg caps how much site lighting can spill across a property line: 0.25 footcandles at a residential or institutional boundary, 0.5 footcandles at a commercial boundary, and 2.0 footcandles at adjacent street rights-of-way, verified through photometric plans filed with the land development permit.
The maximum light at the common property line adjacent to residential or institutional property shall be 0.25 footcandles. The maximum light at the common property line adjacent to commercial property shall be 0.5 footcandles. The maximum light at the adjacent street rights-of-way shall be 2.0 footcandles; except that the entrance driveway may be up to two (2) times the average footcandle level.
Detailed photometrics must be submitted during the land development permit phase to ensure compliance with the above criteria.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56 Update 1 | Policy Manual: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
2(A) sets numeric light trespass limits for parking lots, loading areas and associated driveways and walkways covered by the site and parking lot lighting standard. 5 footcandles where the adjoining property is commercial. 0 footcandles, except that an entrance driveway is allowed up to twice the site's average footcandle level to keep the entry visible. 5 average, 20-foot maximum). Before a permit issues, the developer must submit detailed photometric plans specifically to demonstrate compliance with both the interior lighting levels and the property-line spill limits, so the village checks the math before construction rather than relying on post-installation complaints.
Violations & Fines
A land development permit will not issue under § 151.10.2(A) without photometric plans demonstrating compliance with the 0.25/0.5/2.0 footcandle property-line limits. After installation, the community development department can require fixture changes under § 151.10.2(C)(9) if a site draws complaints of light spilling onto neighboring property in excess of these caps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can spill onto a neighboring residential lot from a Schaumburg parking lot?
Is there a light limit at the street for commercial site lighting?
How does the village check compliance with these limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Schaumburg
Compare Schaumburg 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.