Sumner County, TN Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- State dark-sky law
- None
- County rule
- Zoning Resolution §1107
- Glare cap
- 0.5 foot-candles at boundary
- Site lighting
- Must be shielded
- Cities
- Set their own standards
Summary
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.
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 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 not be limited to any light that may be confused with or construed as a traffic- control device.
c. Electromagnetic Interference
In all districts, no operations or activities shall be conducted which cause electrical disturbances to be transmitted across zone lot lines.
8. Performance Standards Regulating Radioactive Materials
The manufacture, storage, and utilization of radioactive materials shall be prohibited except for use as a part of medical practice and facilities and such use shall be in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations.
9. Nonconforming Uses by Reason of Performance Standards
Any use existing on the effective date of this Resolution, or
Full Breakdown
There is no Tennessee dark-sky law, so outdoor lighting is a local zoning matter. Sumner County's Zoning Resolution addresses it through the glare performance standard in Section 1107. In all districts, any operation producing glare must be conducted so that direct and indirect light does not exceed 0.5 foot-candles measured at a residential district boundary or the street right-of-way line. All site lighting must be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within the property line, and no lighting may interfere with drivers on public streets. Inside Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Portland, each city applies its own lighting and glare rules through city zoning.
Violations & Fines
The county planning department enforces the glare standard at site-plan and permit review and can require a noncompliant fixture to be shielded, aimed down, or replaced. Cities enforce their own lighting standards through zoning review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sumner County regulate outdoor lighting?
Is there a Tennessee dark-sky law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sumner County
Compare Sumner County to another location·View the Tennessee outdoor lighting overview
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