To reduce unwanted glare, Section 5109 of the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance contains standards for outdoor lighting. The Zoning Ordinance outdoor lighting standards are summarized below. These include standards that became effective on February 12, 2020, as well as standards that apply within one-half mile of the Turner Farm Park Observatory on Springvale Road in the Dranesville District that became effective on November 22, 2023.
Current Zoning Regulations
What’s Required?
Fixtures must be full cut-off and mounted horizontal to the ground. Full cut-off means that light is not emitted above the bottom of the fixture. See Figure A below.
Light bulbs must have a color temperature of 3,000K or less, except with an approved sports illumination plan. Check the manufacturer’s package for this information.
Spotlighting of flags, landscaping, or other similar objects must be aimed and shielded to confine the light to the object.
Within the Turner Farm Park Observatory area, spotlights also must have a maximum of 300 lumens.
On lots adjacent to residential, all lights must have a setback based on their height or have additional shielding. See Figure B below.
Light poles 7 ft. high or less are allowed in any location; higher poles are subject to height and location standards.
On all lots (including single family), sports fields/courts, including pools, over 10,000 square ft. or with light poles that are 20 ft. high, are required to have an approved sports illumination plan.
What’s Exempt?
On lots with single family dwellings (including townhouses), lights do not need to be full cut-off or meet the setback/shielding requirement if:
The light fixture has 1,500 lumens or less.
Within the Turner Farm Park Observatory area, exempt lights up to 1,500 lumens must be located within 3 feet of a door or garage; otherwise, lights up to 20 lumens are allowed.
The light is motion-activated with 4,000 lumens or less, turns off within 5 minutes of motion ceasing, and the light is directed within the property.
Within the Turner Farm Park Observatory area, motion-activated lights are limited to 1,500 lumens.
Check the manufacturer’s package for this information.
Holiday lighting.
Depending on when the light was installed, it may be allowed to remain as is.
Figure A - Full Cutoff
Figure B - Adjacent Residential Lot Setback Requirement
What’s Required?
Fixtures must be full cut-off and mounted horizontal to the ground. Full cut-off means that light is not emitted above the bottom of the fixture. See Figure A below.
Lights must have a color temperature of 3,000K or less, except with an approved sports illumination plan. Check the manufacturer’s package for this information.
Spotlighting of flags, landscaping, or other similar objects must be aimed and shielded to confine the light to the object.
On lots adjacent to residential, all lights must have a setback based on their height or have additional shielding. See Figure B below.
Parking lots with 4 or more light poles must dim the lights by 50% within 30 minutes after closing.
Maximum height: 40 ft. (20 ft. on the top of parking decks). Light poles 7 ft. high or less are allowed in any location; higher poles must meet setbacks, except in parking lots.
Roofs and canopies cannot use lights with clear or translucent white, off-white or yellow casing.
Sports fields/courts, including pools, over 10,000 square feet or with light poles that are 20 ft. high, are required to have an approved sports illumination plan.
Service stations and vehicle sales uses must have an approved photometric plan.
Additional requirements apply to signs.
What’s Exempt?
Lights do not need to be full cut-off or meet the setback/shielding requirement if they are motion-activated and the light is directed within the property.
Holiday lighting.
Depending on when the light was installed, it may be allowed to remain as is.
Figure A - Full Cutoff
Figure B - Adjacent Residential Lot Setback Requirement
If you have any questions about these outdoor lighting regulations, please contact the Zoning Administration Division at 703-324-1314 (TTY 711) or send an email to ORDADMIN@fairfaxcounty.gov.
