Exterior lighting and light trespass in Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax's outdoor lighting rules apply to houses with some relief: small fixtures (1,500 lumens or less) skip the full cut-off rule, and motion lights up to 4,000 lumens are exempt if they shut off within 5 minutes and stay aimed on your property. No fixture may cause disability glare.
A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Fairfax County before you build.
The details
- Fixtures over 1,500 lumens at a house must be full cut-off and mounted level.High confidence
- Light color is capped at 3,000K.High confidence
- Spotlights and floodlights on landscaping or flags must be shielded and aimed at the object. Searchlights, lasers and strobes are banned.High confidence
Check a project at your address
SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.
Common questions
- How bright can outdoor lights be, and can they shine on a neighbor in Fairfax County?
- Fairfax's outdoor lighting rules apply to houses with some relief: small fixtures (1,500 lumens or less) skip the full cut-off rule, and motion lights up to 4,000 lumens are exempt if they shut off within 5 minutes and stay aimed on your property. No fixture may cause disability glare.
Sources
- Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance § 5109, outdoor lighting. Checked 2026-10-21
Motion activated light fixtures... On lots developed with single-family dwellings if such lighting fixtures: Emit initial lighting levels of 4,000 lumens or less; Are extinguished within five minutes upon cessation of motion; and Are aimed such that the ill…
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.