Outdoor Lighting in Roanoke County, VA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Roanoke County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

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

Light Trespass & Shielding

Roanoke County caps light trespass from exterior lighting at 0.5 foot-candles measured at adjoining streets or residential properties, for any use or development that has to go through site plan review, with a stricter fixture-height limit inside the Clearbrook Village overlay.

Exterior Lighting Glare Limit in Roanoke County

Some Restrictions

Roanoke County Code § 30-94(A)1

All exterior lighting fixtures shall be designed, located and arranged so as not to direct glare on adjoining streets or residential properties. The intensity at adjoining streets or residential properties shall not exceed 0.5 foot candles.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

Roanoke County regulates illumination on every sign in the county, including the off-premises billboards allowed in its commercial and industrial districts, through a flat glare ban: no light from an illuminated sign may hit an unrelated building, an adjoining property or an adjoining right-of-way.

Illuminated Sign Glare Rules in Roanoke County

Some Restrictions

Roanoke County Code § 30-93-9(A)

(A)Unless otherwise prohibited, signs may be illuminated either through the use of backlighting or direct lighting provided the following standards are met:1.Any new or refurbished sign containing electrical components shall be required to have electrical permit approval from the development services office. ... 3.No light from any illuminated sign shall cause direct glare into or upon any buil...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Roanoke County ordinances

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