If you live in Reston, Virginia, and have decided you want new outdoor lighting installed on your property, the next steps may seem complicated. After all, there are numerous regulations and guidelines to follow, plus an application process for design and exterior improvements. But don’t be discouraged – we’re here to help! We’ve broken down the steps homeowners need to take before installing outdoor lighting on their property..2009020851550.png)
Read on to learn more about the approval process for installing outdoor lighting in Reston. (This information is adapted from the Reston Association website.)
Keep in mind: there are different guidelines for each type of home: Single Family-Detached, Cluster Associations, and Cluster Homes.
1. Single Family Detached
Installing lighting on the property of a single-family home doesn’t have a large effect on neighbors, but it is still important to make sure that the project does not produce excessive glare onto neighboring properties or streets. In addition, when reviewing projects, the Reston Association Design Review Board (DRB) wants to ensure that the lighting scheme is harmonious with another lighting on the house and enhances the architecture of the house.
Within the umbrella of Single Family-Detached, there are different requirements for each type of lighting: security, decorative, and post lamps.
With all three types of lighting, no application is required if you are replacing an already approved light with a fixture and bulb of the exact same specifications as the original.
Decorative lighting specifically does not require an application IF you are installing low-voltage landscape lights that meet the following criteria:
- Shielded or directional landscape lights that are directed toward the house
- Path lights that shine light downward, are no taller than 2’6” and total no more than eight lights per property
- Deck lights with cut-off luminaire and total no more than six per deck.
Many landscape lighting projects, especially those designed by Enlightened Lighting, meet these specifications, so you may not even need to apply at all!
For decorative lighting projects that do not meet these specifications, you will need to fill out an application and/or collect signatures from your neighbors.
You need to submit an application for staff review if:
- You are replacing or adding a fixture that is compatible (but not identical) with an already approved fixture
- The lighting is harmonious in design with the architecture of the house
- The design minimizes objectionable glare onto neighboring properties or streets
- The location is appropriate for the proposed light fixture
For all other projects, you will need to submit an application and collect signatures from your neighbors. The DRB will evaluate the application based on these guidelines:
- Landscape lighting should be blend into the property and enhance the architectural structure of the house
- The design must not result in glare or excessive light levels
If you need to submit an application, you must include the following:
- A catalog photo and the specifications for the fixture (including dimensions, wattage, and type of lamp)
- A written description (supplemented by a photo or drawing) of the proposed location
(This application process is the same for many of the other projects and home types. Continue reading to find out if this applies to you.)
Security Lighting
When installing security lighting (floodlights), you must submit an application and collect signatures for all projects that are not a simple replacement of a DRB-approved security light with a light of the exact same specifications.
This application process is the same as the process for a Single Family Detached Decorative Lighting project.
Post Lamps
If you want to install post lamps, you must submit an application and collect signatures for all projects that are not a simple replacement of a DRB-approved post lamp with a lamp of the exact same specifications.
When you apply to install a post lamp, you must provide the following:
- A catalog photo and the specifications for the fixture (including dimensions, wattage, and type of lamp)
- A site plan that indicates the house, property lines, structural elements and the proposed location for the light
2. Cluster Associations
In a cluster association, the DRB must consider any project’s effect on other homes in the cluster, including lighting glare and visual consistency.
Therefore, all projects require an application form, as well as signatures from cluster board officials. With this application, you must include:
- Complete descriptions of all proposed elements of the light fixture standards (based on the scope of standards listed here)
- A catalog photo and the specifications for the fixture (including dimensions, wattage, and type of lamp)
- A photo or drawings illustrating examples of acceptable light fixtures
A panel of the DRB will then review the application based on the following guidelines:
- The light fixtures must be in keeping with the standards of the cluster (including the type of fixture, dimensions, color, and finish)
- The light fixtures should be for residential use
- The light fixtures should enhance the architecture of the house and the cluster
- The light fixtures should be compatible with existing DRB-approved fixtures in the cluster
- The design should minimize glare
3. Cluster Homes
For cluster homes, there are separate sets of guidelines for decorative lights and security lights.
Decorative Lighting
Decorative lighting projects should blend in with the other lighting in the house and cluster, enhance the house’s architecture, and minimize glare.
As with Single Family Detached projects, you do not need to submit an application if your project meets the following criteria:
- Shielded or directional landscape lights that are directed toward the house
- Path lights that shine light downward, are no taller than 2’6” and total no more than eight lights per property
- Deck lights with cut-off luminaire and total no more than four per deck.
Again, the good news is that many of Enlightened Lighting’s projects meet these specifications!
Projects that do not meet those guidelines require an application and/or signatures from officials or neighbors.
You need to submit an application and obtain a signature from a cluster board official if:
- The DRB-approved standards in your cluster have a wide range of style options
- The proposed fixture differs slightly from the standards
- You are replacing or adding a fixture at a rear entry door or patio door and the proposed fixture is similar to DRB-approved standards
For all other projects, you will need to submit an application and collect signatures from your neighbors. The DRB will evaluate the application based on these guidelines:
- Landscape lighting should be blend into the property and enhance the architectural structure of the house and the cluster
- The design should minimize glare or excessive light levels
- The light fixtures should be for residential use
- The light fixtures should be compatible with DRB-approved cluster standard fixtures
This application process is the same as the process for a Single Family Detached Decorative Lighting project.
Security Lighting
When installing security lighting (floodlights) for a cluster home, the project should illuminate the property while minimizing glare.
You must complete an application if the proposed floodlight conforms to the DRB-approved standards for security lights, OR if you are replacing an existing DRB-approved security light with a fixture and bulb of the exact same specifications as the original.
You must complete an application AND collect signatures from your neighbors for any other projects.
This application process is the same as the process for a Single Family Detached Decorative Lighting project.
Depending on the project, the DRB may or may not review your application to see if it meets the following guidelines:
- The project should minimize the impact of light on neighboring properties
- The project should minimize glare
- The lights should be as inconspicuous as possible
- Ground-mounted or tree-mounted floodlights should have shields to effectively screen the light source from view and prevent glare
Cluster Homes Additional Guidelines
In addition to these Reston-wide guidelines, there are specific guidelines for certain residential areas, including Oak Spring way and WhisperWood.
For more information about any of the guidelines, visit the Reston Association’s website.
Now that you know how to get your project approved, let’s get started! Give Enlightened Lighting a call today to schedule your consultation.
Check back on our blog to learn more about lighting installation and design for Northern Virginia neighborhoods!