2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Rutherford County has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but its zoning performance standards require all site lighting to be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within the property line of the lot emitting the light.
Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1106 B.7
All site lighting shall be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within the property line of the lot emitting the light. No illumination shall produce direct, incident or reflected light that interferes with the safe operation of motor vehicles on public streets.
The Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance defines light trespass as light from an outdoor luminaire that shines beyond the property at a brightness exceeding 0.1 foot-candles at the property line, and its glare standards cap illumination at 0.5 foot-candles at a residential boundary.
Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance, Article II (Definitions)
Light Trespass: Any light emitted by an outdoor luminaire that shines directly beyond the property on which the luminaire is installed, or indirectly shines beyond the property on which the luminaire is installed at a brightness (luminance) that exceeds 0.1 foot-candles at the property line.
1 cities in Rutherford County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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