Outdoor Lighting in Montgomery County, VA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Montgomery County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In Montgomery County outside Blacksburg and Christiansburg, street lights in a PUD-TND development must be dark-sky compatible and fully shielded, capped at 250 watts HID for commercial areas and 100 watts incandescent or 26 watts compact fluorescent for residential areas.
PUD-TND Dark Sky Lighting, Montgomery County VA
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 10-32
In order to minimize light pollution, light shall be directed downward to the immediate area being lighted and away from any living quarters. Street lights shall be dark sky compatible. Lighting shall be designed and installed to be fully shielded (full cutoff) and shall have a maximum lamp wattage of two hundred fifty (250) watts HID (or lumen equivalent) for commercial lighting, 100 watts inc...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Under Sec 10-46's performance standards, outside Blacksburg and Christiansburg, glare from any permitted or special-use property cannot exceed 0.25 footcandles above background light at a residential lot line, and fixtures in the C-1, A-1 and R-R districts must be shielded so the bulb's direct glare stays inside the property line.
Outdoor Light Trespass Limits in Montgomery County, VA
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County Code § 10-46
General requirements. All sources of glare (direct or reflected artificial light) from any source (other than in connection with operating motor vehicles and/or street lighting) must not cause illumination in excess of 0.25 footcandles above background light levels measured at the boundary of any commercial or industrial use abutting any residential use or at the lot line with any residential d...
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