Shelby County, TN Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- Memphis/Shelby County UDC 4.7
- Standard
- Minimize light trespass, BUG
- Applies to
- Sites near single-family districts
- Single/two-family homes
- Not regulated
- Parking lots
- No light above 90 degrees
Summary
In unincorporated Shelby County, the Unified Development Code (UDC 4.7) requires regulated outdoor lighting to minimize light trespass and obtrusive light onto neighboring property, using shielding and BUG ratings, but lighting on single-family and two-family homes is exempt.
Lighting design and installation shall ensure that lighting accomplishes on-site lighting needs without intrusion on adjacent properties... installations must minimize the adverse effects of backlight, uplight, and glare upon both the environment and neighboring land uses.
Full Breakdown
Light trespass, unwanted light crossing onto adjacent property, is addressed through the Memphis/Shelby County UDC, Section 4.7, on unincorporated county land. The code directs that lighting be designed so it accomplishes on-site needs without intrusion on adjacent properties and that installations minimize backlight, uplight, and glare on neighboring uses. Regulated developments must meet Backlight-Uplight-Glare (BUG) ratings and shield parking-lot lighting so no light is emitted above 90 degrees. These requirements apply to sites that abut or face single-family residential districts; UDC Sec. 4.7 does not regulate single-family or two-family home lighting. So a spillover complaint against a regulated commercial site can go to Planning and Development, but home-to-home complaints fall outside the UDC. Cities apply their own codes.
Violations & Fines
A regulated development whose lighting exceeds BUG ratings or spills obtrusive light onto abutting property in violation of UDC Sec. 4.7 can be cited by Planning and Development. Ordinary home-to-home light complaints fall outside the UDC and are private matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report a neighbor's light spilling onto my yard in unincorporated Shelby County?
What does the UDC require for off-site light?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shelby County
Compare Shelby County to another location·View the Tennessee outdoor lighting overview
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