Nashville, TN Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Full cutoff required for covered lighting
- Trespass limit
- 0.5 foot-candle max at residential line
- Covers
- Includes freestanding residential security floodlights
- Enforcement
- Dept. of Codes Administration
- Citation
- Metro Code § 17.28.100
Summary
Metro Nashville requires all outdoor lighting, including residential security floodlights, to be full cutoff and shielded so light stays on the property, capping spill at adjacent residential lines at 0.5 foot-candles.
4.Light Trespass:a.All site lighting shall be shielded so that substantially all directly emitted light falls within the property line. No illumination in excess of one-half foot-candle shall be permitted across the boundary of any adjacent residential property or the mid-line of a public street.b.No illumination shall produce direct, incident or reflected light that interferes with the safe movement 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.Rope lighting shall not be used on a building, sign, or any property with non-residential zoning located adjacent to an arterial or collector street as identified on the Major and Collector Street Plan. This provision shall not apply to properties zoned as DTC.F.Luminaire Standards:1.Full Cutoff Requirement: All lighting regulated by this chapter shall be full cutoff.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metro's zoning code (Title 17) treats freestanding floodlights on residential and agricultural lots as security lighting and subjects them to the same shielding standard as commercial fixtures: light must be aimed so substantially all of it stays within the property line, and no more than one-half foot-candle is allowed to cross into an adjacent residential lot or the center line of a public street. Every fixture covered by the chapter, including yard and porch security lights, must also meet the "full cutoff" definition, zero light emitted at or above horizontal. The Department of Codes Administration enforces compliance and can require remedial fixes.
Violations & Fines
Violations are enforced by the Department of Codes Administration and punishable under Metro Code Chapter 17.40, Article XIII; inspectors can order remedial fixes within 30 days at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to shield my home security light in Nashville?
What does 'full cutoff' mean for security lighting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
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