Outdoor Lighting in Chatham County, GA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Chatham County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dark Sky Rules

Chatham County has no countywide dark-sky ordinance, but Tybee Island enforces a sea-turtle lighting rule (Land Development Code Sec. 3-230). From May 1 to October 31, beach-visible lights must be shielded so they do not illuminate the beach, or be turned off from sunset to sunrise.

Coastal Lighting in Chatham County, GA: Tybee Sea-Turtle Rules

Some Restrictions

Tybee Island Land Development Code Sec. 3-230 (Turtle Nesting Protection) (Ord. No. 18-2014)

Lights illuminating structures and grounds shall be shielded or screened so that they do not illuminate the beach and the point source of light is not visible from the beach, or they shall be turned off from sunset to sunrise during the period of May 1 through October 31 of each year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Chatham County has no general light-trespass ordinance; spillover from a neighbor's lights is handled through zoning standards or nuisance law. On Tybee Island, beachfront fixtures must be shielded so the light source is not visible from the beach (Sec. 3-230).

Light Trespass in Chatham County, GA: Shielding & Tybee Beach Rule

Few Restrictions

Tybee Island Land Development Code Sec. 3-230(B)(1)

Floodlights shall be shielded and mounted so that no light illuminates the beach and the point source of light is not visible from the beach.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Chatham County ordinances

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