City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEAH RILEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Section 13-1-3 (COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES – NIGHT ILLUMINATION) of Chapter 1 (GENERAL OFFENSES) of Title 13 (MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
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ISSUE: Should City Council adopt amendments to City Code Section 13-1-3 to establish consistent enforcement mechanisms and civil penalties for violations of the existing ordinance in which a commercial or residential property’s use of outdoor lighting illuminates onto adjacent properties.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the Ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading and schedule it for public hearing, second reading, and final passage.
BACKGROUND: City Code Section 13-1-3 regulates the use and placement of outdoor lighting by commercial and residential properties. This Section states that it shall be unlawful for a property to use outdoor lighting such that the illumination and glare from the lighting is thrown onto a residential property adjacent from the property utilizing outdoor lighting. The Section also states that all lights shall be shielded or directed so as to confine the area of diffusion for which they are intended to illuminate.
In recent years, residents and commercial buildings have replaced lights with brighter LED lights on the interior and/or exterior of buildings and in parking lots for safety, security, and lighting
code purposes. These lights are generating more resident complaints/concerns as the glare is affecting neighboring properties.
Staff enforce this section of the City...
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