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Outdoor Lighting in Sumner County, TN (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sumner County, Tennessee.

Verified from official government sources

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

Dark Sky Rules

Tennessee has no dark-sky statute, but Sumner County's Zoning Resolution (Section 1107) limits glare to 0.5 foot-candles at a residential district boundary or street right-of-way and requires site lighting to be shielded. Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Portland add city standards.

Sumner County Outdoor Lighting Standards

Some Restrictions

Sumner County Zoning Resolution § 1107(7)

In all districts, any operation or activity producing glare shall be conducted so that direct and indirect light from the source shall not cause illumination in excess of 0.5 foot candles when measured at a residential district boundary or at the street right-of-way line. All site lighting shall be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within ...

Light Trespass & Shielding

Sumner County's Zoning Resolution requires all site lighting to be shielded so directly emitted light stays within the property line, and caps glare at 0.5 foot-candles at a residential boundary. Single-family neighbors rely on city rules or a nuisance claim.

Sumner County Light Trespass Rules

Some Restrictions

Sumner County Zoning Resolution § 1107(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. Lighting prohibited by this provision shall include, but ...

Outdoor Lighting by City in Sumner County

1 cities in Sumner County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Sumner County ordinances

See every category we cover for Sumner County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

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