Outdoor Lighting in Clayton County, GA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Clayton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Clayton County requires every exterior light fixture to be fully shielded, full cutoff, and aimed downward under the Zoning Ordinance's Outdoor Lighting Standards (Sec. 6.36, OL). Freestanding pole lights are capped between 15 and 25 feet depending on how close they sit to a residential district, and the county recommends 250-watt metal halide lamps to curb sky glow countywide.
Clayton County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Standards
Some RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.36(B)(1),(4),(6) (OL)
1.Shielding: Exterior lighting shall be fully shielded and directed downward, and shall utilize full cutoff housings, louvers, glare shields, optics, reflectors or other measures to prevent off-site glare and minimize light pollution...4.Lamp options: Metal halide lamps with a maximum wattage of 250 watts per fixture are recommended for use in Clayton County to maintain a unified lighting stand...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Clayton County caps how much light can cross onto neighboring property under the Zoning Ordinance's Outdoor Lighting Standards (Sec. 6.36(B)(2)). Light intensity may not exceed 1.0 footcandle at any zoning lot boundary, dropping to 0.5 footcandle where the lot touches a residential district, with a narrow 20.0-footcandle exception for gas station canopies and car dealership display lots.
Clayton County Light Trespass Footcandle Limits
Some RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.36(B)(2)-(3) (OL)
2.Intensity: The intensity of light within a site shall not exceed 10.0 footcandles within any site and 1.0 footcandles at any zoning lot boundary or street right-of-way line. Where a zoning lot abuts a residential district or existing residential use, the intensity shall not exceed 0.5 footcandles at the zoning lot boundary. The Zoning Administrator may permit a maximum intensity of 20.0 footc...
Billboard Lighting
Clayton County caps internally illuminated billboard faces at 20 foot-candles measured 10 feet from the sign structure under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 8.18.L. Externally lit billboards have no numeric cap but can't glare into the eyes of motorists or pedestrians, and no billboard may use primary-colored lighting.
Clayton County Billboard Lighting: Foot-Candle Limits
Some RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 8.18.L
L.Illumination of signs: the following illumination standards shall apply:1.The light from any illuminated sign shall not be of an intensity or brightness, which will interfere with the peace, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of residents or occupants of adjacent properties.a.Internally illuminated signs shall not exceed twenty (20) foot-candles of incandescent light measured at a dist...
All Clayton County ordinances
See every category we cover for Clayton County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Clayton County Ordinance Hub →