Outdoor Lighting in Decatur, GA (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Decatur, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Decatur, Georgia's Unified Development Ordinance regulates outdoor lighting to preserve the dark night sky, requiring floodlights aimed no more than 45 degrees above straight down when visible from a home or roadway, effective shielding on required fixtures, and architectural accent lighting aimed only at the feature it illuminates.
Decatur GA Dark Sky Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance §§ 7.4.1, 7.4.4.A-B, 7.4.5.E
curtail and reverse the degradation of the nighttime visual environment and the night sky; preserve the dark night sky for astronomy; minimize glare, obtrusive light and artificial sky glow by limiting outdoor lighting that is misdirected, excessive or unnecessary ... A.Flood or spot lamps must be positioned no higher than 45 degrees above straight down (half-way between the vertical and the ho...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Decatur, Georgia's Unified Development Ordinance caps light spilling onto neighboring land: sports and performance lighting cannot exceed 0.5 foot-candles at a residential property line, security lighting must aim at the protected area rather than adjacent properties, and a lighting variance applicant must show how trespass and glare will be limited.
Decatur GA Outdoor Light Trespass Limits
Some RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance §§ 7.4.5.A.3, 7.4.5.C, 7.4.6.A
3.Off-Site Spill The installation must also limit off-site spill (off the parcel containing the sports facility) to the maximum extent possible consistent with the illumination constraints of the design. For all recreational or social levels of play and training fields, as well as, performance areas, illumination levels must not exceed 1.5 foot-candles at any location along any non-residential ...
Looking for DeKalb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Decatur city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in DeKalb County →