Outdoor Lighting in Charleston, WV (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Charleston, West Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Charleston requires off-street parking and loading area lighting to be shielded from residential lots and cut off during non-operating hours.
Charleston Parking Lot Lighting Shielding Rule
Some RestrictionsSec. 23-040-08
Lighting shall be arranged and designed so that no source of light is directed toward any lots used or zoned for residential use. Lighting shall be designed to shield public streets and all other adjacent lands from distracting glare, or hazardous interference of any kind. Vehicular use areas shall not be lighted at any time other than the hours of operation of the use that the parking is inten...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Charleston's zoning code requires off-street parking and loading lot lighting to point away from residential lots, shield public streets and adjoining land from glare, and stay off outside operating hours except for necessary security lighting.
Charleston Shields Neighbors From Security Lighting Glare
Some RestrictionsSec. 23-040-08
Lighting of a parking area shall not interfere with surrounding areas or traffic flow. Lighting shall be arranged and designed so that no source of light is directed toward any lots used or zoned for residential use. Lighting shall be designed to shield public streets and all other adjacent lands from distracting glare, or hazardous interference of any kind. Vehicular use areas shall not be lig...
Billboard Lighting
Charleston lets off-premise signs (billboards) light up, but bans visible bulbs and any flashing, moving, or variable-intensity illumination.
Charleston Caps Off-Premise Sign Lighting
Some RestrictionsCharleston, WV Zoning Ordinance Sec. 24-100-09 (Lighting) and Sec. 24-100-11 (Off-Premise Electronic Message Board)
Off-premise signs may be illuminated unless otherwise specified, provided such signs are so constructed that no light bulb, tube, filament or similar source of illumination is visible beyond the property lines. Signs making use of lights to convey the effect of movement, or flashing, intermittent or variable intensity lighting shall not be permitted. ... The luminance may not exceed 5,000 nits ...
Looking for Kanawha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Kanawha County →