Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting applies to the installation, relocation, or replacement of building-mounted or freestanding outdoor lighting fixtures, including the erection or relocation of light support structures.


Submission Requirements

  • Completed Zoning and Basic Development Plan Application.
  • Basic development plan (1 copy) delineating the following. A design professional is not required in the preparation of a basic development plan.
    • Accurate dimensions and shape of the lot
    • Location on the lot of all outdoor lighting fixtures, freestanding, building-mounted, and canopy lighting, and the height of any support structures
    • Manufacturer's specifications and details for all proposed outdoor lighting fixtures, poles or other supports, and shielding devices, which description shall include manufacturer and model number and manufacturer's catalog cut sheets, specifications, and illustration which clearly describe and illustrate the fixtures and any pole or support, provide a section of the fixtures illustrating the lamp, socket, and reflector locations, provide a description of any shielding devices, and illustrate the angle of cut-of-of light emissions
    • Profile showing the angle at which the proposed outdoor lighting fixtures will be mounted to the support structure
    • Drawings of all relevant building elevations showing the location and mounting heights of any building-mounted fixtures
  • Certificate of Appropriateness, if located in a local historic district.

Other Permits That May Be Required

The Trades Permit Application may also be required, if electrical work is involved.


Review Process

Once your permit application has been deemed complete and initialized in our system (you will receive a Permit Submission Confirmation Letter), City staff has 10 business days for zoning review. You may receive comments from City staff if additional information is needed to complete a thorough review. An Additional Submissions Form must accompany any resubmission of plans or information.

Outdoor lighting is reviewed for compliance with the Division 2 Outdoor Lighting, Chapter 36.2, Zoning Code

Visit the City of Roanoke's Real Estate GIS page to determine your property's zoning designation.


Fees

Fees are due at time of permit issuance. The fee for a Zoning Permit is covered in the Basic Development Plan Review Fee, which is $25.

Expiration

If work described in the zoning permit has not begun within 6 months from the date of issuance, the permit will expire. An extension may be granted by the Zoning Administrator at their discretion at the written request of the applicant within 90 calendar days of the expiration of the original zoning permit.