Outdoor Lighting in Shelby County, TN (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
In unincorporated Shelby County, the Unified Development Code (UDC 4.7) sets outdoor site-lighting standards to curtail light pollution, reduce skyglow, and follow IES practices, but these apply to larger developments; single-family and two-family residential lighting is exempt.
Shelby County Outdoor Lighting: UDC 4.7 Dark-Sky Standards
Some RestrictionsMemphis/Shelby County UDC Sec. 4.7
Outdoor site lighting shall be designed to... Minimize adverse offsite impacts of lighting such as light trespass and obtrusive light; Curtail light pollution, reduce skyglow and improve the nighttime environment; Help protect the natural environment from the adverse effects of night lighting from gas or electric sources.
Light Trespass & Shielding
In unincorporated Shelby County, the Unified Development Code (UDC 4.7) requires regulated outdoor lighting to minimize light trespass and obtrusive light onto neighboring property, using shielding and BUG ratings, but lighting on single-family and two-family homes is exempt.
Shelby County Light Trespass: UDC 4.7 Off-Site Limits
Some RestrictionsMemphis/Shelby County UDC Sec. 4.7
Lighting design and installation shall ensure that lighting accomplishes on-site lighting needs without intrusion on adjacent properties... installations must minimize the adverse effects of backlight, uplight, and glare upon both the environment and neighboring land uses.
Outdoor Lighting by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shelby County ordinances
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