Except for single-family homes, exterior lighting in Chesterfield may not cast more than 0.5 foot-candle above background light, measured at the property line of adjacent residential land. Fixtures must also shield the light source from neighbors.
Zoning Ordinance Sec. 19.1-205 controls light trespass onto neighbors. For all uses except single-family residential, the direct or reflected illumination from exterior lights may not exceed 0.5 foot-candle above background, measured at the lot line of an adjacent residential (A, R, R-TH, MH or R-MF) property. The ordinance also requires directional, shielded fixtures. Single-family homes are exempt from the numeric cap, so a homeowner's floodlight shining onto a neighbor is usually addressed through general nuisance principles rather than this section. Commercial and multifamily developments demonstrate compliance through a lighting plan at site-plan review.
Nonresidential lighting exceeding the 0.5 foot-candle spillover limit is a zoning violation; the county may require re-aiming, shielding or reduced output, enforced through the zoning administrator.
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