Outdoor Lighting in Fulton County, GA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Fulton County, Georgia.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Unincorporated Fulton County's Night Sky Ordinance requires nonexempt outdoor light fixtures to be full cutoff, casting no light above the horizontal as measured at the fixture.

Fulton County Full Cutoff Lighting Rule

Some Restrictions

Fulton County Zoning Resolution § 4.9.4(A)

Shall be full cutoff placed so as to allow no light above the horizontal as measured at the luminaire, except as herein noted in this ordinance (as in the case of period fixtures, cutoff fixtures may be used).B.Shall be located, aimed or shielded so as to minimize glare and stray light trespassing across property boundaries and into the public right of way in accordance with the following stand...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Outdoor lighting on permitted development in unincorporated Fulton County must be full cutoff and aimed so stray light and glare do not cross onto neighboring land. Zoning Resolution § 4.9.4 caps illumination at the property line at 1.0 foot-candle where it abuts a home or farm, and 1.5 foot-candles at an office, institutional, commercial or industrial line.

Fulton County Outdoor Light Trespass Limit

Some Restrictions

Fulton County Zoning Resolution § 4.9.4(A)-(B)

4.9.4. Outdoor Lighting Standards. All nonexempt outdoor lighting fixtures shall meet the following criteria: A.Shall be full cutoff placed so as to allow no light above the horizontal as measured at the luminaire, except as herein noted in this ordinance (as in the case of period fixtures, cutoff fixtures may be used).B.Shall be located, aimed or shielded so as to minimize glare and stray ligh...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Lighting by City in Fulton County

2 cities in Fulton County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

AtlantaPop. 498,715

2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding

RoswellPop. 92,833

2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass & Shielding

All Fulton County ordinances

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