Fairfax County, VA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture type required
- full cut-off, horizontal mount
- Applies to
- new/replacement outdoor lighting
- Grandfathered
- fixtures before June 17, 2003
Summary
All new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures in the county must be full cut-off, horizontally mounted fixtures that shield the light source, with limited exceptions.
Full cut-off lighting fixtures must be mounted horizontal to the ground and must be used for all outdoor
lighting unless otherwise specifically provided in this section, and all lighting fixtures located within those portions of open-sided parking structures that are above ground. For the purposes of this provision, an open-sided parking structure is a parking structure that contains exterior walls that are not fully enclosed between the floor and ceiling. Within an open-sided parking structure, the ceiling or walls of the structure may be used to meet the full cut-off angle requirements. An example of a full cut-off lighting fixture is shown in Figure 5109.1 below.
Figure 5109.1: Full Cut-Off Lighting Fixture
(2) Except for signs, all light sources may not exceed a maximum Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) of
3,000K unless otherwise approved by the Director. However, sports fields or courts that are subject to a sports illumination plan may have a maximum CCT of up to 5,700K.
(3) Except for internally illuminated signs, the use of lighting fixtures that are enclosed in clear or
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published.
Full Breakdown
Fairfax County's zoning ordinance requires that full cut-off lighting fixtures, mounted horizontal to the ground, be used for all outdoor lighting installed or replaced, including fixtures in above-ground portions of open-sided parking structures. Exceptions exist elsewhere in Section 5109, such as motion-activated security lights, holiday lighting, and neon signage outlining a structure. Lighting lawfully in place before June 17, 2003 may remain nonconforming and is not required to be retrofitted.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant fixtures block site plan and building permit approval; lights installed or replaced after the standard took effect must meet the full cut-off, horizontal-mount requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a full cut-off fixture?
Are holiday lights exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
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