---
title: Duluth UDC § 303.02 — Duluth
jurisdiction: duluth
governing_jurisdiction: Duluth
source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf"
effective_date: "2026-07-13"
as_of: "2026-08-13"
canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/303.02"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 303.02

Use of Cutoff Luminaires Required

**Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question.


- **Article:** 3 — Restrictions on Particular Uses
- **Pages in source:** 94–95
- **Adopted:** 2025-09-08
- **Amended through:** 2026-07-13
- **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf

## Text

a. All luminaires employed in outdoor area lighting installations shall be the cutoff luminaire type.
b. The candlepower distribution classification of the luminaire as a cutoff type shall be in accordance with

ANSI/IES Lighting Definitions and The IES Lighting Handbook. The manufacturer of the luminaire shall
provide certification of the cutoff classification based on photometric testing performed in accordance
with the IES Lighting Handbook and the applicable testing procedures referenced herein. The requirement
for the use of cutoff luminaire types shall include, but not limited to, the following outdoor area and
roadway lighting configurations:

1. Pole mounted luminaires.
2. Luminaires mounted on the exterior of the buildings and structures.
3. Pedestal or bollard mounted luminaires.
c.
Cutoff luminaires shall be mounted plumb and level in accordance with the intended application of their
design. For the purposes of this Code Section, the photometric nadir of the luminaire (zero degree vertical

93 | P a g e

Article Three. Restrictions on Particular Uses

angle of the candlepower distribution) shall be oriented plumb and the vertical angle of 90 degrees above
nadir (horizontal) shall be oriented level. Cutoff luminaires shall not be installed in a canted or tilted
position, which permits candlepower distribution above the horizontal.
d. Exceptions.

1. Luminaires, which do not meet the strict definition for cutoff luminaires yet employ advanced or
alternative technology which causes the photometric performance to approach that of cutoff
luminaires, shall be approved by the Planning and Development Director on a case-by-case basis.
2. Luminaires with a total initial output of 10,000 lumens or
less shall be permitted for decorative, accent, or
supplementary lighting applications provided that glare
shields are incorporated which cut off the candlepower
distribution at and above the horizontal level.
e. Use of Glare Shields Required for Non-Cutoff Luminaire Types.

Where non-cutoff luminaires such as floodlights are used to meet
the lighting objectives for outdoor sports and recreational lighting,
the luminaires shall be equipped with glare shields, visors,
protectors and similar shielding accessories as required to meet the
criteria in this Section.

Illustrative Example of