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Charlottesville, VA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Property-line limit
0.5 footcandles maximum
Measured
At ground level, meter facing up
Fixture height near R-districts
12 ft within 30 ft of lot
Underground wiring
Required for freestanding fixtures
Enforcement
Zoning Administrator correction order

Summary

Charlottesville limits outdoor lighting to 0.5 footcandles at the property line so it does not spill onto neighboring land, sidewalks or rights-of-way, under the Development Code's outdoor lighting design standards.

Lighting must not trespass onto adjacent properties and sidewalks not within the proposed development, or rights-of-way and the footcandles at the property line must be no more than 0.5.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Development Code Sec. 5. 2-1111 shielding rules, light sources are capped at a 3,000K color temperature with a Color Rendering Index of 80 or higher, and freestanding fixture service connections must be run underground. 5 footcandle ceiling is measured at ground level with the meter's light-registering portion held parallel to the ground and pointing up, per the measurement rules in Sec. 4. The rule works together with other Div. 12 limits that reduce trespass at the source: parking-lot fixtures cannot exceed 20 feet, pedestrian-area fixtures cannot exceed 15 feet, and any fixture within 30 feet of an R-A, RN-A, R-B or R-C residential district is capped at 12 feet.

Combined, a commercial or multifamily property lighting its parking lot next to a house has both a fixture-height ceiling and a hard property-line brightness number to meet before the Administrator will sign off on a lighting plan.

Violations & Fines

Lighting that trespasses onto a neighboring property above 0.5 footcandles at the line violates Sec. 4.12.3.B.3, enforceable by a Zoning Administrator correction order under Sec. 5.4.4.B requiring the fixture to be re-aimed, shielded or removed, appealable to the Board of Zoning Appeals within 30 days. Uncorrected violations can bring a misdemeanor fine up to $1,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

How bright can my outdoor lighting be at my property line?
No more than 0.5 footcandles measured at the property line, under Development Code Sec. 4.12.3.B.3, whether the light spills onto a neighbor's yard, a sidewalk, or a right-of-way.
Are there extra rules near residential neighborhoods?
Yes. Sec. 4.12.3.C.3 caps any light fixture within 30 feet of an R-A, RN-A, R-B or R-C district at 12 feet in height, on top of the 0.5 footcandle trespass limit.
How does the city measure light trespass?
Per Sec. 4.12.4, light levels are measured at ground level with the light-registering part of the meter held parallel to the ground and pointing up.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Charlottesville

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All Charlottesville rules

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