Outdoor Lighting in Sampson County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Sampson County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Unincorporated Sampson County requires exterior lighting to be aimed away from neighbors. Section 2-28-11 keeps all lighting directed onto the owner's own site, and § 2-32-08 separately requires parking-area lighting to be shielded so it casts no light onto adjacent properties or streets.

Outdoor Lighting Shielding in Sampson County

Light Restrictions

Sampson County Code §§ 2-28-11, 2-32-08(8)

All lighting must be directed away from adjacent property and roadways. Lighting shall be directed onto the individual owner’s site only. ... Any lighting of parking areas shall be shielded so as to cast no light upon adjacent properties and streets.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Light Trespass & Shielding

Sampson County's zoning ordinance requires that all outdoor lighting on a property be directed away from adjacent land and roadways and confined to the owner's own site. The rule is a general design standard rather than a numeric footcandle or shielding specification, and it applies wherever the county's zoning ordinance governs, meaning the unincorporated county outside Clinton and the county's towns.

Sampson County Outdoor Lighting Direction Rule

Light Restrictions

Sampson County Code Sec. 2-28-11

2-28-11. Lighting All lighting must be directed away from adjacent property and roadways. Lighting shall be directed onto the individual owner’s site only.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Sampson County ordinances

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