Outdoor Lighting in Jackson County, GA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Jackson County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Unincorporated Jackson County requires nearly all new outdoor light fixtures to be full cutoff luminaires that throw no direct light above the horizontal plane, under Unified Development Code §§ 1701 and 1705. Wallpacks must be fully shielded, and security lighting must meet the same standard unless it only comes on by motion sensor. The rule protects the county's dark night sky.
Jackson County Dark Sky Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsJackson County Unified Development Code §§ 1701, 1705
It is in the public interest to provide a quality night time environment. Careless use of outdoor lighting damages the aesthetics of the night time environment. If not regulated, outdoor lighting can decrease security or safety or create hazards through glare, light trespass, and distraction. ... The naturally dark, star-filled sky is an important part of the natural environment that should not...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Unincorporated Jackson County bars outdoor fixtures from shining directly onto neighboring homes or into drivers' eyes. Unified Development Code § 1706 requires any luminaire aimed so its lamp is visible, or that throws glare onto adjacent residential buildings or public roads, to be redirected or have its light output controlled until the problem stops.
Jackson County Light Trespass Rules
Some RestrictionsJackson County Unified Development Code §§ 1702, 1706
Light trespass: ... The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries of the property on which it is located. ... Any luminaire that is aimed, directed, or focused so that the lamp is visible, or in a way that causes direct light from the luminaire to be directed toward residential buildings on adjacent or nearby land, or that creates glare perceptible to persons operating moto...
All Jackson County ordinances
See every category we cover for Jackson County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Jackson County Ordinance Hub →