Fairfax County, VA Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family lumen cap
- 4,000 lumens or less
- Auto shut-off
- within 5 minutes
- Aiming requirement
- illumination within property line
Summary
Motion-activated security lights are exempt from the county's outdoor lighting standards only if aimed so illumination stays within the property line, with tighter limits on single-family lots.
Motion activated light fixtures located as follows:
(1) On lots developed with single-family dwellings if such lighting fixtures:
(a) Emit initial lighting levels of 4,000 lumens or less;
(b) Are extinguished within five minutes upon cessation of motion; and
(c) Are aimed such that the illumination is directed within the property boundary; or
(2) On all other lots if the lighting fixtures are aimed such that the illumination is directed within the
property boundary.
G. On lots developed with single-family dwellings, outdoor lighting fixtures with initial light outputs of 1,500
lumens or less are not subject to the provisions of subsections 5109.3.A(1) and 5109.3.C(3) below.
3. General Provisions
Except as provided in 5109.4.B below, or exempted in 5109.2 above, all outdoor lighting fixtures must comply with the following:
A. Lighting Fixtures and Mounting
(1) Full cut-off lighting fixtures must be mounted horizontal to the ground and must be used for all outdoor
lighting unless otherwise specifically provided in this section, and all lighting fixtures located within those portions of open-sided parking structures that are above ground. For the purposes of this
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published.
Full Breakdown
To qualify for the county's motion-activated lighting exemption, fixtures on single-family lots must emit 4,000 lumens or less, shut off within five minutes after motion stops, and be aimed so illumination stays within the property boundary. On all other lots, motion-activated fixtures qualify for the exemption only if aimed within the property boundary. Fixtures that don't meet these aiming and lumen conditions must instead comply with the full outdoor lighting standards of Section 5109, including full cut-off mounting.
Violations & Fines
A motion light aimed onto a neighbor's property, or a single-family fixture exceeding 4,000 lumens or staying lit more than five minutes, loses its exemption and must meet the full Section 5109 lighting standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I aim a security light at my neighbor's yard?
Is there a brightness limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax 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.