Chesterfield has no formal dark-sky ordinance. Instead, the Zoning Ordinance requires exterior lighting (except single-family homes) to use directional fixtures that shield the light source from direct view from neighboring residential property or roads.
The county does not have a dark-sky or night-sky lighting ordinance. Its lighting control is Zoning Ordinance Sec. 19.1-205, which for all uses except single-family residential requires lighting standards to be a directional type capable of shielding the light source from direct view from adjacent residential (A, R, R-TH, MH or R-MF) property or a road. Special Design Districts and developments using ornamental pedestrian-style lighting are exceptions. There are no county foot-candle caps on single-family homes, but neighbors bothered by glare may still have nuisance remedies. Commercial and multifamily lighting plans are reviewed for shielding at site-plan stage.
Nonresidential lighting that is unshielded or exceeds the spillover limit is a zoning violation; the county can require corrective shielding, re-aiming or removal at site-plan review or by enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chesterfield County, VA
Backyard composting of yard and food waste is allowed in Chesterfield County and promoted as a waste-reduction practice. Compost must be kept so it does not ...
Chesterfield County, VA
Chesterfield County has no ordinance banning residential artificial turf. Synthetic lawns are generally allowed, subject to zoning, stormwater and drainage r...
Chesterfield County, VA
Chesterfield County does not require homeowners to plant native species in ordinary yards, but native and regionally appropriate plants are required for rest...
Chesterfield County, VA
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Chesterfield County. There is no ordinance banning rain barrels or cisterns for residential lawn and garden u...
Chesterfield County, VA
Virginia has no statewide mandatory lawn-watering ban. Chesterfield County Utilities issues conservation measures during drought; as of summer 2026 restricti...
Chesterfield County, VA
Chesterfield County Code prohibits uncontrolled weeds and grass. Occupied residential lots under one-half acre are limited to 12 inches; vacant developed and...
See how Chesterfield County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.