The city of Tucker has imposed a ban on linear lighting — rope lighting, neon tubes and other lighting typically seen outlining storefronts and signs — that went into effect Feb. 28.
The ban had already been applied to the Mountain Industrial Overlay District, as well as the Northlake and Downtown Tucker Overlay Districts, but an Oct. 9 vote by the Mayor and City Council extended it to the entire city.
This means all businesses in the city including the northern (Chamblee Tucker Road), eastern (Lawrenceville Highway) and western (Hugh Howell Road) commercial parts of town will be pulled into this ban.
Councilwoman Anne Lerner was one of the driving forces behind the change.
“Sign clutter is an issue along our commercial corridors. Not only is it a safety concern with distracted driving, but it began looking like a carnival as some business owners tried to outdo each other first with feather flags, then bright rope lighting and now we are seeing bright blinking rope lighting. Where does it end?” Lerner asked.
“We’ve heard from Tucker residents and business owners that they want a pleasing look that helps build a sense of place and, according to their input, that place is not the Vegas Strip.”
Businesses utilizing linear lighting beyond that date will go through the typical Code Enforcement process: they will be given a notice of violation along with time to come into compliance. Should they refuse to remove the linear lighting, a citation will be issued to go before a judge in environmental court.
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