Portsmouth, VA Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential lighting height cap
- 16 feet
- Commercial/mixed-use height cap
- 30 feet
- Shielding trigger
- Fixtures over 60 watts/100 lumens
- Max industrial height increase
- 25% (up to 7.5 ft over cap)
Summary
Portsmouth caps outdoor light fixture height at 16 feet in residential districts and 30 feet in commercial, mixed-use, and industrial districts, and requires fixtures over 60 watts or 100 lumens to use downward-directed, full cut-off lenses or hoods.
(2)Maximum Lighting Height.(a)Except for outdoor sports fields or performance areas, the height of outdoor lighting, whether mounted on poles or walls or by other means, shall be no greater than 16 feet in residential districts and no greater than 30 feet in commercial and mixed-use districts...(3)Shielding.(a)Except as specified in subsection (1), exterior light fixtures in excess of 60 watts or 100 lumens shall use downwardly-directed full cut-off lenses or hoods to prevent glare or spillover from the project site onto adjacent lands and streets.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 2-306(D) of the Zoning Ordinance governs exterior lighting for all development in the city, with limited exemptions for single-family detached homes, FAA-mandated tower lighting, city street lights, and temporary construction lighting. 5 feet above the 30-foot maximum) if an applicant proves compliance is impractical and the increase will not hurt neighboring properties. Ground-mounted fixtures lighting outdoor seating, entrances, and walkways are limited to 4 feet in height. Subsection (D)(3) requires that any fixture exceeding 60 watts or 100 lumens use downwardly-directed, full cut-off lenses or hoods to prevent glare or spillover onto adjacent lands and streets, and bars any light source in a canopy from extending below the canopy's lowest edge.
Wall pack fixtures under Sec. 2-306(E) must be fully shielded true cut-off type so no light source is visible from off-site. Upward-directed lighting of buildings and landscaping is allowed only in the D1 downtown district, the Innovation Overlay District, and Entertainment Overlay Districts. An exterior lighting plan must be submitted with every development plan for city approval.
Violations & Fines
Installing fixtures above the 16-foot or 30-foot height limits, or without required full cut-off shielding on fixtures over 60 watts/100 lumens, is a Zoning Ordinance violation caught during development plan review or code enforcement inspection; the Zoning Administrator can withhold approval of the lighting plan or require retrofitting of noncompliant fixtures before a Certificate of Occupancy issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can outdoor lighting be in Portsmouth?
Does Portsmouth require shielded outdoor light fixtures?
Can a business get a taller light pole in an industrial district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portsmouth
Compare Portsmouth to another location·View the Virginia outdoor lighting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.