Outdoor Lighting in Bartow County, GA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Bartow County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Bartow County has no general outdoor lighting ordinance for unincorporated homes and businesses, but its Zoning Ordinance imposes a specific dark-sky standard on data centers. Exterior fixtures at a data center site must be shielded, downcast and full cut-off, with poles capped at 25 feet and light spilling no more than 0.5 foot-candles past the property line.
Bartow County Data Center Dark-Sky Rule
Some RestrictionsBartow County Zoning Ordinance § 3.2(12) ("Data center" development standards)
12.Exterior illumination shall be shielded, downcast, and of a luminosity designed to maintain the existing night sky darkness and to prevent light trespass onto adjacent properties. In order to obtain that objective, the following criteria shall be met:a.All fixtures shall be full cut-off type fixtures;b.Light poles shall be no taller than 25 feet in height;c.All light poles must be setback a ...
Light Trespass & Shielding
New commercial and office development in unincorporated Bartow County must aim outdoor lighting downward and keep light fixture poles under 40 feet, with fixtures shielded so glare and stray light don't cross onto neighboring lots or the public right-of-way. Flood and spot lamps face an added angle limit.
Outdoor Lighting Trespass Rules in Bartow County
Some RestrictionsBartow County Zoning Ordinance § 7.9.6
All site lighting shall be directed downward onto the site, whether on the exterior of buildings or in parking areas. Light fixture poles cannot exceed forty (40) feet in height. Outdoor lighting fixtures must be located, aimed or shielded to minimize glare and stray light trespassing across lot lines and into the public right-of-way. Flood or spot lamps must be positioned no higher than 45 deg...
Billboard Lighting
Any illuminated billboard-type sign in unincorporated Bartow County must be shielded so its light source cannot be seen by passing drivers or nearby homes, and ground signs cannot be lit from within in residential or agricultural districts. Signs taller than 10 feet must aim external light down from above the sign face rather than up into the night sky, under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 11.5.4.
Bartow County Illuminated Sign Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsBartow County Zoning Ordinance § 11.5.4(A), (C)-(E)
11.5.4 Illumination. (A)Ground signs cannot be internally illuminated in any residential or agricultural zoning district. All signs may be externally illuminated. External illumination of any sign in any district shall be positioned and shielded so that the light source cannot be seen directly by any passing motorists nor from adjacent dwellings or businesses. ... (C)All externally illuminated ...
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