Outdoor Lighting in Sullivan County, TN (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Sullivan County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Sullivan County's Zoning Resolution requires all site lighting in commercial and manufacturing districts, and at community facilities anywhere in the county, to be shielded so essentially all emitted light stays within the property line. The glare standard under Section 8-102.4 targets fixtures that spill light onto neighboring land or public streets.
Sullivan County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rule
Some RestrictionsSullivan County Zoning Resolution § 8-102.4(2)(a)
1. Applicability - The standards contained within this section shall apply in all commercial and manufacturing districts and to all community facilities activities located within any district. 2. Required Performance Level a. All site lighting shall be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within the property line.
Light Trespass & Shielding
Sullivan County caps how much light from a commercial or manufacturing use can reach next-door residential land at four foot-candles under Section 8-102.4(2)(a) of the Zoning Resolution, and requires exterior building floodlights to be aimed and shielded so their beam lands on the building or the ground, not neighboring yards.
Sullivan County Light Trespass Limit
Some RestrictionsSullivan County Zoning Resolution § 8-102.4(2)(a)-(b)
No illumination in excess of four (4) foot-candles shall be permitted within the boundaries of any adjacent residentially developed property. A foot-candle is the illumination at all points one (1) foot distance from a uniform point source (property line) of one (1) candlepower. b. All exterior building floodlights shall be shielded so that all of the light falls upon either the surface of the ...
All Sullivan County ordinances
See every category we cover for Sullivan County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Sullivan County Ordinance Hub →