Rutherford County, TN Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Zoning Ordinance Section 1106
- Shielding
- Light kept within property line
- Glare limit
- 0.5 foot-candles at boundary
- Traffic safety
- No traffic-signal confusion
- Dedicated dark-sky code
- None
Summary
Rutherford County has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but its zoning performance standards require all site lighting to be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within the property line of the lot emitting the light.
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.
Full Breakdown
The Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance regulates outdoor lighting through the Section 1106 performance standards on glare, not a dedicated dark-sky code. All site lighting shall be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within the property line of the lot emitting the light. In addition, any operation or activity producing glare must be conducted so that direct and indirect light from the source does not cause illumination in excess of 0.5 foot-candles when measured at a residential district boundary or the street right-of-way line. No illumination may produce light that interferes with the safe operation of motor vehicles or that could be confused with a traffic-control device.
Violations & Fines
Lighting that violates the glare performance standards is a zoning violation enforced by the county; such violations constitute misdemeanors punishable as other misdemeanors and fined as prescribed by Tennessee statutes, with correction typically required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rutherford County require shielded outdoor lighting?
How much light can spill onto a neighbor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rutherford County
Compare Rutherford County to another location·View the Tennessee outdoor lighting overview
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