Roanoke County, VA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Foot-candle limit at property line
- 0.5 foot-candles
- Applies to
- site-plan uses and residential districts
- Clearbrook overlay pole height cap
- 18 feet above grade
- Enforcing office
- Zoning Administrator/Development Services
- Adopted by
- Ord. No. 121900-11, 12-19-00
Summary
Roanoke County caps light trespass from exterior lighting at 0.5 foot-candles measured at adjoining streets or residential properties, for any use or development that has to go through site plan review, with a stricter fixture-height limit inside the Clearbrook Village overlay.
All exterior lighting fixtures shall be designed, located and arranged so as not to direct glare on adjoining streets or residential properties. The intensity at adjoining streets or residential properties shall not exceed 0.5 foot candles.
Full Breakdown
Section 30-94, "Exterior Lighting," applies to all uses and developments that require a site development plan under § 30-90 of the zoning ordinance. 5 foot-candles. 5 foot-candle ceiling specifically for lighting fixtures within residential zoning districts, so a homeowner's own exterior floodlights and security lights are covered, not just commercial development lighting. 5 foot-candle cap. The section traces to Ordinance No. 121900-11, adopted December 19, 2000. Because § 30-94 sits in the site-plan portion of the zoning ordinance, its enforcement runs through the same administrator (the zoning administrator, in the Department of Development Services) who reviews and approves the site development plan and photometric layout before a permit is issued, rather than through the police department's general nuisance authority.
Violations & Fines
Exterior lighting is not on the scheduled civil-infraction list in § 30-22-1 (which covers only sign violations), so a light-trespass violation is enforced through the general zoning procedure: a written notice of violation under § 30-21 with up to 30 days to correct, followed by a misdemeanor charge under § 30-22 if uncorrected, carrying a fine of $10 to $2,500, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Roanoke County's light trespass limit?
Does the 0.5 foot-candle limit apply to homes, not just businesses?
Are pole lights more restricted in Clearbrook Village?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roanoke County
Compare Roanoke County 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.