Evanston, IL Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- IPMC § 402.4, City Code § 5-1-3
- General lighting cap
- 0.5 foot-candle at property line
- Holiday lighting standard
- NFPA 70 National Electric Code
- Enforcer
- Building & Development Services Division
Summary
Evanston caps exterior lighting at 0.5 foot-candle at the property line, but holiday lighting is exempted from that cap as long as it meets the adopted NFPA 70 National Electric Code wiring standards.
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 limits exterior lighting citywide to one-half (0.5) foot-candle measured at the property line, to prevent glare and light trespass onto neighboring properties. Section 402.4 carves out two exceptions to that cap: motion-activated security lighting, and holiday lighting, which instead is governed by the NFPA 70 National Electric Code as adopted and amended by the City. That means seasonal displays are exempt from the foot-candle ceiling but still must meet the City's adopted electrical wiring and installation standards. The Building & Development Services Division, as Property Maintenance Code official, enforces Section 402.4 against unpermitted glare or unsafe wiring.
Violations & Fines
Cited by the Building & Development Services Division as a Property Maintenance Code infraction, remedied through a notice of violation and, if uncorrected, prosecution under the code's general violations section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Evanston limit how bright holiday lights can be?
What exterior lighting rule applies the rest of the year?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
Compare Evanston to another location·View the Illinois sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Holiday Displays in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle holiday displays.