James City County, VA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Horizontal surfaces
- Full-cutoff, aimed straight down (§ 24-132(a))
- Non-horizontal surfaces
- Full-cutoff or shielded (§ 24-132(b))
- Plan required for
- Site and subdivision plans (§ 24-130)
- Isofootcandle diagram to
- 0.1 footcandle level
- Post-installation check
- County inspection (§ 24-130(e)(2))
Summary
James City County's outdoor lighting ordinance, adopted to protect the night sky from nuisance glare, requires full-cutoff fixtures aimed straight down for parking lots, roadways and other horizontal surfaces under § 24-132(a), and full-cutoff or directionally shielded fixtures for facades, landscaping and signs under § 24-132(b). Community Development reviews a lighting plan before approving site and subdivision plans.
The intent of this ordinance is to require and set minimum standards for outdoor lighting to provide and control lighting in outdoor public places to promote public health, safety and welfare. These standards are intended to protect drivers and pedestrians from the glare of non-vehicular light sources; protect citizens and the night sky from nuisance glare and light trespass from improperly selected, placed, aimed, applied, maintained or shielded light sources ... (a)Lighting of predominantly horizontal surfaces. For the lighting of predominantly horizontal surfaces, light fixtures shall be full-cutoff fixtures that meet Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) criteria, and shall be aimed straight down (see figure 1). ... (b)Lighting of predominantly non-horizontal surfaces. For the lighting of predominantly non-horizontal surfaces, light fixtures shall be full-cutoff or directionally shielded and shall be aimed and controlled so that light is confined, as much as possible, to the objects that are intended to be lit and does not project into the windows of neighboring residences, adjacent uses, past the object being illuminated, skyward, or onto a public roadway (see figure 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 24-129 states the intent behind chapter 24, division 7 directly: the ordinance sets minimum outdoor lighting standards to protect drivers and pedestrians from glare, to protect citizens and the night sky from nuisance glare and light trespass caused by improperly selected, placed, aimed or shielded fixtures, to promote energy-efficient lighting, and to protect the county's visual character. That intent becomes an enforceable standard in § 24-132. For predominantly horizontal surfaces, meaning parking areas, roadways, vehicular and pedestrian passage areas, loading docks, recreational areas and building entrances among others, fixtures must be full-cutoff, meeting Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) criteria, and aimed straight down.
For predominantly non-horizontal surfaces, such as building facades, landscaping, signs, displays and statuary, fixtures must be full-cutoff or directionally shielded and controlled so light stays confined to the object being lit rather than spilling into neighboring windows, past the object, skyward, or onto a public roadway. 1 foot-candle level.
Violations & Fines
Any post-approval change to an approved lighting plan, or a substitution of specified fixtures, must go back to the county for review before installation under § 24-130(e)(1). The county can also conduct a post-installation inspection under § 24-130(e)(2) to verify the installed fixtures match the approved plan and the full-cutoff or shielding standards of § 24-132; a lighting plan found out of compliance can be required to be corrected before final site plan approval closes out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What outdoor light fixtures does James City County require to limit glare and sky light?
Do I need a lighting plan before installing site lighting?
Can the county check whether my lighting matches what was approved?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in James City County
Compare James City County to another location·View the Virginia outdoor lighting overview
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