Light Trespass: Alpharetta vs Roswell
How do light trespass rules compare between Alpharetta, GA and Roswell, GA?
Alpharetta and Roswell have similar restriction levels.
Alpharetta, GA
Fulton County
Light trespass complaints in Fulton County are handled under the general nuisance authority of Code §46-137. Atlanta Code §74-133 includes lighting as a regulated nuisance.
View full Alpharetta rules →Roswell, GA
Fulton County
Roswell's UDC includes lighting standards that limit light trespass onto adjacent residential property and glare visible from public streets. Commercial and multi-family lighting must be shielded; residential security lighting is treated as a §8.8.3 nuisance if it shines into neighboring bedrooms.
View full Roswell rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Alpharetta | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Code | §46-137 (general) | - |
| Commercial fc limit | 0.5–1.0 at boundary | - |
| Test | Reasonable-person standard | - |
| Property-Line Limit | - | ~0.5 foot-candles |
| Fixture Standard | - | Full-cutoff/shielded (commercial) |
| Residential | - | §8.8.3 nuisance |
| Dark-Sky Designation | - | None formal |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Alpharetta FAQ
My neighbor's floodlight wakes me up — what can I do?
File a §46-137 nuisance complaint with code enforcement.
Are motion-activated lights OK?
Yes, if they don't continuously trespass into neighboring sleeping areas.
Roswell FAQ
Can my neighbor's floodlight shine into my Roswell bedroom?
If it creates a §8.8.3 nuisance - persistent and unreasonable - Code Enforcement can require the light to be shielded or redirected. Try a polite request first, then file a complaint at 770-594-6101.
Does Roswell have dark-sky rules?
Not formally. The UDC requires shielded lighting on commercial and multi-family properties, which has a dark-sky effect, but there is no formal designation.
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