Outdoor Lighting in Loudoun County, VA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Loudoun County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Loudoun County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dark Sky Rules

Loudoun County's Zoning Ordinance directly adopts International Dark-Sky Association standards for outdoor lighting: full-cutoff fixtures verified by an IDA Fixture Seal of Approval, a 3000K cap on bulb color temperature, and a stated purpose to 'implement General Plan action to promote the International Dark-Sky Association's Dark Sky standards to prevent light pollution.'

Loudoun County Dark-Sky Lighting Standards

Some Restrictions

Loudoun County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 7.05.02 (Purpose), § 7.05.02.B.1.a, B.6

Implement General Plan action to promote the International Dark-Sky Association's Dark Sky standards to prevent light pollution. ... a. Lighting fixtures must be full cutoff so that the emitted light is not projected above the horizontal plane of the shield... Verification of this standard for each lighting fixture is required by: 1. Manufacturer certification; or 2. The International Dark Sky ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Any outdoor security light installed in Loudoun County must be full cutoff, aimed downward and inward, and capped at 0.25 foot-candles of spillover measured at the property line, under Zoning Ordinance Section 7.05.02.B. Security fixtures get one carve-out other lighting doesn't: the Zoning Administrator can exempt them from the countywide rule that all exterior lighting shut off between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Loudoun County Security Lighting Shielding Rules

Some Restrictions

Loudoun County, VA, Zoning Ordinance § 7.05.02.B.1-3

Lighting fixtures must be full cutoff so that the emitted light is not projected above the horizontal plane of the shield, or bulb enclosure, and the bulb is recessed or level with the lowest portion of the lighting shield. ... Lighting fixtures must be aimed downward and inward to direct light towards the interior of the property. ... Lighting must not cause illumination in excess of 0.25 foot...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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