Outdoor Lighting in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
3 verified outdoor lighting rules for Chattanooga, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Chattanooga's Exterior Lighting Controls cap outdoor light spilling onto neighboring lots. Sec. 38-47(b) sets a maximum of one footcandle at any lot line, requires every luminaire to be a full cutoff design, and limits freestanding fixtures to 20 feet in nonresidential zones and 15 feet in residential zones.
Chattanooga Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 38-47(b)
(b)Lighting Standards. (1)The maximum allowable footcandle at any lot line is one footcandle. (2)All luminaires must be full cutoff luminaire design. (3)The maximum total height of a freestanding luminaire is 20 feet in a nonresidential zone, and 15 feet in a residential zone. (4)All outdoor luminaires must be located and adequately shielded so that there is no glare onto adjacent lots or onto ...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Security lighting in Chattanooga must meet the one-footcandle, full-cutoff standard unless it runs on a motion vacancy sensor that shuts off within 15 minutes.
Chattanooga Security Light Rules
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 38-47(c)(4)
Exceptions to Lighting Standards .....(1)Luminaires used for public roadway illumination or installed by a utility to light public rights-of-way are exempt from the requirements of this Code. .....(2)All temporary emergency lighting required by public safety agencies, other emergency services, or construction are exempt from the requirements of this Code. .....(3)Shielded, directional accent li...
Billboard Lighting
Chattanooga requires off-premise billboard lighting to use shielded, directional luminaries capped at two watts per square foot so glare doesn't spill onto neighboring properties.
Chattanooga Billboard Lighting Shielding Rule
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 3-20
Off-premise advertising faces using external illumination shall use a maximum of two (2) luminaries per sign face. All luminaries will use a type of lenses that will direct the light to only illuminate the intended bulletin or poster face. Lamp and ballast watts shall not exceed two (2) watts per square foot of advertising area. Lighting fixtures illuminating signs and billboards shall be aimed...
Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chattanooga city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Hamilton County →