Chatham County has no countywide dark-sky ordinance, but Tybee Island enforces a sea-turtle lighting rule (Land Development Code Sec. 3-230). From May 1 to October 31, beach-visible lights must be shielded so they do not illuminate the beach, or be turned off from sunset to sunrise.
The distinctive outdoor-lighting rule on the Chatham coast protects nesting sea turtles. Tybee Island's Land Development Code Sec. 3-230 (Sea Turtle Nesting Protection) states the beaches serve as a prime nesting site and that artificial lighting discourages nesting females and disorients hatchlings during nesting season, May 1 through October 31 each year. For both new and existing development, lights that illuminate structures and grounds must be shielded or screened so they do not illuminate the beach and the point source of light is not visible from the beach, or be turned off from sunset to sunrise during that period. Floodlights and pole lights must be shielded and aimed away from the beach. Elsewhere in the county, outdoor lighting is set
Beachfront lighting that violates Tybee Island Sec. 3-230 is enforced by the city, which can require fixtures to be shielded, redirected, or turned off during nesting season, with citations for continued non-compliance.
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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See how Chatham County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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