Outdoor Lighting in Franklin County, NC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Franklin County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In unincorporated Franklin County, all exterior lighting on regulated sites must be shielded or directed away from adjacent lots and public streets. Any rear floodlight on a nonresidential or mixed-use building must be aimed at least 45 degrees down from vertical with glare shields added, and a detailed lighting plan is required before the site plan is approved.
Franklin County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Unified Development Code § 6.8.3
A.All exterior lighting must be shielded or directed away from any adjacent use or lot or any adjacent public street. ... D.Floodlights may be used in the rear of nonresidential or mixed-use buildings that are not adjacent to residential uses or residentially zoned properties and are not visible from public or private roadways if there are not impacts to neighboring properties. Where floodlight...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Exterior lighting in unincorporated Franklin County cannot exceed 0.2 foot-candles at a residential lot line, or 1 foot-candle between two adjacent nonresidential properties. Lighting that substantially interferes with a neighboring lot's use, even without crossing the numeric threshold, is separately prohibited.
Franklin County Outdoor Light Trespass Limits
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Unified Development Code § 6.8.3
A maximum of 0.2 foot-candles is permitted at the lot line of any residential zoning district property or residential use. ... B.Lighting within any lot that unnecessarily illuminates any other lot and substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of such other lot is prohibited. Lighting unnecessarily illuminates another lot if it clearly exceeds the standards set forth in this Section. ....
Billboard Lighting
In unincorporated Franklin County, the Unified Development Code prohibits indirect illumination such as floodlights on any sign, including billboards, if the light causes glare that impairs driver vision on a road, pilot vision near Franklin County Airport, or a nuisance to a neighboring property. Planning and Inspections enforces this ban through the county's sign permitting process.
Franklin County Bans Glare From Sign Floodlights
Some RestrictionsFranklin County Unified Development Code § 8.3.5(M)
The following signs are prohibited in Franklin County: ... M.Indirect illumination, such as floodlights, erected in such a manner as to cause glare that impairs driver vision on streets or roadways, pilot vision approaching or departing Franklin County Airport runways, or that causes a nuisance to adjoining property.
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