Outdoor Lighting in DeKalb County, GA (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Outdoor lighting fixtures other than street and pedestrian lights must use dark-sky design with no spillover onto neighboring properties, but the rule applies only inside the Bouldercrest-Cedar Grove-Moreland Overlay District in unincorporated DeKalb County, not countywide.

DeKalb County Dark-Sky Lighting Rule (BCGM Overlay)

Some Restrictions

DeKalb County Code § 27-3.39.6 — BCGM Overlay District Design Guidelines § G.1.b (Outdoor Lighting and Furnishings)

All lighting other than street and pedestrian lighting shall have 'dark sky' design - there shall be no spillover from the fixture onto surrounding properties (including the street). All lights and poles shall have a permanent black finish. c.Ground mounted floodlights shall be screened with planting and shields so light source is not visible. The use of flashing, rotating or oscillati...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

DeKalb County's zoning code bars outdoor lighting fixtures from casting direct light onto or adversely affecting adjacent properties and roadways, and requires glare shields, fully-shielded cutoff fixtures and a foot-candle cap in parking areas, under Sec. 5.6.1(B).

DeKalb County Light Trespass Onto Neighbors

Some Restrictions

DeKalb County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27 (Zoning), Sec. 5.6.1(B)

B.All lighting fixtures.1.Lighting in all zoning districts shall be established in such a way that no direct light is cast upon or adversely affects adjacent properties and roadways.2.Light fixtures shall include glare shields to limit direct rays onto adjacent residential properties.3.All lighting fixtures (luminaries) shall be cutoff luminaries whose source is completely concealed with an opa...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

DeKalb County's sign code bars any sign, including illuminated advertising signs, from casting light that glares or blinds or adversely affects traffic or neighbors, and forbids illuminated signs within 75 feet of a single-family lot line.

DeKalb County Illuminated Sign Lighting Limit

Some Restrictions

DeKalb County Code of Ordinances § 21-24

No sign shall give off light that glares, blinds or has any other such adverse effect on traffic or adjacent properties. The light from an illuminated sign shall be established in such a way that adjacent properties and roadways are not adversely affected and that no direct light is cast upon adjacent properties and roadways. No illuminated sign shall be constructed or maintained within seventy...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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