<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144215-11-000065.txt : 20111004
<SEC-HEADER>0001144215-11-000065.hdr.sgml : 20111004
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20111004171614
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144215-11-000065
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110831
FILED AS OF DATE:		20111004
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20111004

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Smith C. Dan
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001467716

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16583
		FILM NUMBER:		111124726

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1170 PEACHTREE STREET NE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2400
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30309

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ACUITY BRANDS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001144215
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT [3640]
		IRS NUMBER:				582632672
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1170 PEACHTREE STREET, NE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2400
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30309-7676
		BUSINESS PHONE:		404-853-1400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1170 PEACHTREE STREET, NE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2400
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30309-7676

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	L&C SPINCO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20010629
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0304</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-08-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001144215</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACUITY BRANDS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AYI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001467716</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Smith C. Dan</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1170 PEACHTREE STREET NE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30309</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Treasurer and Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>This voluntary form is to indicate that Mr. Smith is no longer subject to Section 16 filing requirements.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>C. Dan Smith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-10-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
