DeKalb County zoning requires full-cutoff fixtures for new commercial and multi-family lighting and limits spillover onto residential property. No formal Dark Sky designation exists.
DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance outdoor-lighting standards (Ch. 27) require new non-residential and multi-family developments to use full-cutoff, fully shielded fixtures directing light downward. Maximum mounting heights and lumen outputs are specified for parking lots and building exteriors. Lighting must not spill across the property line into residential zones above specified foot-candle thresholds. The county has no International Dark-Sky Association designation, but the Emory University campus, Fernbank Science Center, and nearby residential neighborhoods periodically advocate for reduced light pollution. LED color temperature is encouraged at 3000K or below. Temporary holiday displays and athletic field lighting have separate provisions.
Non-compliant commercial fixtures: 30-day correction notice, then $250 to $1,000 fines. Permit revocation for repeated violations. Residential trespass complaints handled separately (see light-trespass).
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