Outdoor Lighting in Memphis, TN: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Memphis or are thinking about moving there, outdoor lighting are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Memphis has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of outdoor lighting, and some of them might surprise you.

Dark Sky Rules

Memphis addresses outdoor lighting through the Unified Development Code general development standards. The UDC requires outdoor lighting plans for new development and includes maximum allowable lighting levels based on land use type. Full cutoff fixtures are required for new commercial and multi-family development to minimize light pollution. Memphis does not have a standalone dark-sky ordinance, but the UDC standards serve a similar purpose by limiting upward light cast and off-site glare.

Key details: Regulation: UDC general development standards. Fixture Type: Full cutoff required for commercial/multi-family. Lighting Plans: Required for new development projects. Standalone Ordinance: No separate dark-sky ordinance.

Non-compliant fixtures: notice to correct within 30 days. Failure to comply: fines $100 to $500. Commercial violations: permit revocation possible. Repeat offenders: daily fines.

Light Trespass

The Memphis Unified Development Code regulates light trespass by establishing maximum allowable lighting levels at property boundaries for different zoning districts. New development must submit outdoor lighting plans demonstrating compliance with foot-candle limits at the lot line. Residential districts have lower allowable levels than commercial or industrial zones. Existing residential properties causing light trespass may be addressed through nuisance complaints to Code Enforcement.

Key details: Regulation: UDC lighting standards with lot-line limits. Measurement: Foot-candle limits at property boundary. Residential Standard: Lower allowable levels than commercial zones. Complaints: Code Enforcement handles nuisance complaints.

Light trespass complaint: warning and 30-day correction period. Non-compliance: fines $100 to $300 per violation. Repeated complaints: escalating fines. Commercial violations: up to $1,000.

The Bottom Line

Memphis's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Memphis is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Memphis's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.