Prince William County's Zoning Ordinance sets outdoor-lighting standards (§ 32-250.200 series) requiring full cut-off fixtures that direct light downward to reduce glare and skyglow. A full cut-off fixture emits zero light at or above 90 degrees from horizontal.
The county's general outdoor-lighting standards (§ 32-250.201 purpose, § 32-250.202 general standards) govern site and subdivision lighting, with additional standards for nonresidential, multifamily, recreational-sports, and building-accent lighting. Fixtures are generally required to be full cut-off, meaning zero percent of light output is emitted at or above 90 degrees from horizontal and no more than ten percent above 80 degrees. Subdivision lighting must also conform to Chapter 25 (§ 25-30) and the county's design manual. These dark-sky-style rules apply to new site plans and subdivisions; existing single-family homes are largely exempt. Independent cities Manassas and Manassas Park set separate lighting rules.
Non-conforming site or subdivision lighting can be denied plan approval; installed fixtures out of compliance may have to be replaced or reaimed.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard composting is allowed in Prince William County. There is no permit for a residential compost pile, but it must be kept so it does not create odor, a...
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Prince William County has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating residential artificial turf. Synthetic lawns are generally allowed, but they cannot...
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Prince William County actively favors native trees and woodland conservation in its landscaping standards. Development landscape plans must preserve native w...
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Rainwater harvesting is legal in Prince William County and, as a riparian state, Virginia places no ownership limit on captured rain. Rain barrels are unregu...
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Prince William County sets no permanent lawn-watering schedule. Virginia is a riparian (not scheduled-irrigation) water state, so day-of-week limits appear o...
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Weeds over 12 inches tall are prohibited on developed residential and commercial lots of two acres or less. The rule is enforced by Neighborhood Services und...
See how Prince William County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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