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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 G6nDP5HoLz6nbdRL3y4UksFm6EyzHSmcFp2Sjc55hAeMcfkbmBxlMwuGgC3BRuaM
 AKEcJnNQDdAI6quee8Sr3g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-004002.txt : 20090218
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-004002.hdr.sgml : 20090218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090218110944
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-004002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090216
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090218
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Harris John D Jr
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001317774

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11312
		FILM NUMBER:		09617628

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		770-955-2200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2500 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 1600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30339

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COUSINS PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025232
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				580869052
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 PEACHTREE STREET N.E.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303-1740
		BUSINESS PHONE:		404-407-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 PEACHTREE STREET N.E.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303-1740
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-16</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000025232</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COUSINS PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CUZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001317774</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Harris John D Jr</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>191 PEACHTREE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 3600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30303</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.35</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11797</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.35</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-02-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11797</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11797</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3510</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3510</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3510</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These options were granted under the 1999 Incentive Stock Plan.  These options will vest 25% per year on the anniversary of the grant date, with shares being 100% vested in year 4 of the grant term.  The reporting person may, as an alternative to exercising the stock option right to purchase CPI stock, elect to exercise the related Stock Appreciation Right (SAR).  The exercise of the SAR allows the reporting person to receive the number of whole shares of CPI stock equal to the difference between the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise and the option price.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Award of restricted stock units under Cousins Properties Incorporated (CPI) 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Plan. Each unit represents a right to receive a payment in cash equal to the average of the closing price of CPI's common stock on each trading day during the 30 day period ending on the date payment is due under the plan. These units will vest 25% per year on each anniversary date of the grant, with units being 100% vested in year 4 of the grant term. While the shares are being held prior to vesting, the reporting person will have the right to receive all cash dividends but will not have shareholder rights. All unvested shares will forfeit upon termination of employment.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John D. Harris, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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