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Frederick County, 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 cap, ag/residential neighbor
0.2 footcandle
Property line cap, commercial/industrial neighbor
1.0 footcandle
Extra requirement
Opaque shielding on poles facing residential land
Multifamily property-line cap
0.5 footcandle (0.2 near ag/residential)
Ballfield lighting cap
0.5 footcandle at 150 feet from field edge

Summary

In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, nonresidential outdoor lighting cannot exceed 0.2 footcandle measured at a property line adjoining agricultural or residential land, and every light pole on that side must carry supplemental opaque shielding to cut glare toward the neighbor.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Frederick County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Table VIII-17: Nonresidential Lighting Standards. Location Maximum Average Maintained Horizontal Lighting Level (footcandles) Additional Requirement(s) ... Property line boundaries Adjacent agricultural or residential use/district 0.2 All light poles shall be equipped with supplemental opaque shielding on the residential property side of the lighting fixture to reduce glare caused by direct light source exposure. Adjacent commercial or industrial use/district 1.0 None

View official code

Full Breakdown

A sets the county's light-trespass ceilings for nonresidential uses. 2 footcandle, measured as the maximum average maintained horizontal lighting level, and the ordinance adds a design requirement on top of the number: all light poles on that side of the site must carry supplemental opaque shielding to reduce glare from direct light-source exposure toward the residential or agricultural neighbor. 0 footcandle with no extra shielding requirement noted. 0 footcandles for high-security areas such as ATMs, fuel-station canopies, vehicle-display lots and loading docks; and separate right-of-way limits. 2 footcandle where the boundary touches agricultural or residential land. 5 footcandle, and lighting installations must demonstrate that limit through a photometric report.

Violations & Fines

A site plan that shows lighting exceeding the Table VIII-17 property-line limits is not approvable, and an installed fixture found out of compliance is enforced through the Zoning Administrator's complaint process under § 165-204.02; an uncorrected violation is a misdemeanor under § 165-204.04.B(2), punishable by a fine of $10 to $1,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

How bright can a business's parking lot lights be at my property line?
If your land is zoned agricultural or residential and borders the business, Table VIII-17 under § 165-807.05.A caps the light at 0.2 footcandle at that boundary, and every pole on that side of the site must have supplemental opaque shielding to cut glare toward you.
Is the limit different if my neighbor is commercial instead of residential?
Yes. Where the adjoining use is commercial or industrial, § 165-807.05.A allows up to 1.0 footcandle at the property line, five times the 0.2 footcandle cap that applies where the boundary touches agricultural or residential land.
What about lights on a ballfield near my house?
Recreational facility lighting has its own rule: § 165-807.05.C caps horizontal illuminance at 0.5 footcandle measured 150 feet from the edge of the field, and the operator must be able to document compliance with a photometric report.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Frederick County

Dark Sky RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsFew Restrictions

All Frederick County rules

Compare Frederick County to another location·View the Virginia outdoor lighting overview

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