How Arlington Handles Outdoor Lighting: A Practical Guide
Arlington maintains 108 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with outdoor lighting. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Arlington falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Dark Sky Rules
New development in Arlington's Form-Based Zoning Districts must install pedestrian lighting certified by Darksky International, capped at 16 feet tall and spaced no more than 75 feet apart along the sidewalk's Furnishing Zone. The rule applies to development-installed pedestrian fixtures, not private residential lighting generally.
Key details: Certification required: Darksky International. Maximum pole height: 16 feet (unless sharing a street-light pole). Maximum spacing: 75 feet apart. Placement offset: About 4 feet behind curb face. Applies to: New development pedestrian fixtures, sidewalk Furnishing Zone.
Development Services checks pedestrian lighting plans, including Darksky International certification and pole height, at site plan and civil plan review; fixtures installed without certification or exceeding the 16-foot height cap can be rejected at inspection and required to be replaced before the project receives final acceptance of its public improvements.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Multi-level parking garages in Arlington's Form-Based Zoning Districts must angle all exterior lighting downward to cut glare spilling onto neighboring right-of-way and residential property. Perimeter guardrails also must be opaque and solid so headlights from parked and moving cars don't shine onto adjacent land.
Key details: Lighting angle requirement: All exterior lighting angled downward. Glare target: Reduce glare onto adjacent ROW, residential areas. Guardrail material: Opaque, solid, to screen headlights. Applies to: Multi-level parking garages, Urban Building Type. Governing rewrite: UDC Ord. 26-019, eff. June 1, 2025.
Development Services reviews garage lighting and screening plans at site plan approval; a completed structure with upward-angled fixtures, glare crossing onto adjacent residential property, or perimeter guardrails that aren't opaque can be held at final inspection until the lighting is re-aimed or shielded and the guardrail material corrected.
The Bottom Line
Arlington's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arlington is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Arlington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.