Outdoor Lighting in Johnston County, NC (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Johnston County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Johnston County builds a dark-sky requirement directly into its zoning definitions. Section 14-6 defines outdoor lighting as engineered to be nonglaring on neighboring properties and 'dark sky,' focused so it does not exceed the building parapet, and Section 14-364 separately requires major subdivisions to light their streets for safety.
Johnston County Dark Sky Lighting Standard
Light RestrictionsJohnston County Code § 14-6
Outdoor lighting means any lighting source designed to illuminate or aesthetically enhance a building, parking, sign, or storage area. Lighting shall be engineered as to be nonglaring on adjacent properties or uses and to be "dark sky", focused as not to exceed the building parapet.
Billboard Lighting
Outdoor advertising signs along U.S. 70 and I-95 can't use flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, and any light aimed at the highway that creates glare or impairs a driver's vision is prohibited outright. Illumination can never be added to a nonconforming sign. Land Development Code § 14-514(b)(8) and (10) set the standard, enforced through the county's outdoor-advertising permit process.
Johnston County Billboard Lighting Limits
Significant RestrictionsJohnston County Code § 14-514(b)(8), (10)
(8) Signs shall not be illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights. ... (10) Signs which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways of U.S. 70 or I-95 and which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare and to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which other...
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