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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-09-017622.txt : 20090819
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-017622.hdr.sgml : 20090819
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090819141733
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-017622
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090817
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090819
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090819

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCE JAMES H JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001176400

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11312
		FILM NUMBER:		091023681

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BANK OF AMERICA
		STREET 2:		100 N. TRYON STREET
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28255

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>2009-08-17</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001176400</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HANCE JAMES H 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>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-08-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>152</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>33447</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-08-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>152</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.67</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>33295</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-08-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>152</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-08-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-08-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>152</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>152</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock units were granted under the Cousins Properties Incorporated 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the 2005 RSU Plan) and have vested as to 25% of the total units granted.  As required under the 2005 RSU Plan, the vested units were settled for cash from CPI.  Each restricted stock unit is the economic equivalent of one share of CPI common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 607 shares of restricted stock awarded under the Cousins Properties Incorporated (CPI) 1999 Incentive Stock Plan.  These shares will vest 25% per year on each anniversary date of the grant as previously disclosed, and CPI will hold these shares until such shares become vested.  While the shares are being held prior to vesting, the reporting person will have the right to receive all cash dividends and to vote the restricted shares.  All unvested shares will forfeit if the Director's service as a member of the CPI Board of Directors terminates, unless separation is due to death.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Award of restricted stock units under the Cousins Properties Incorporated (CPI) 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Plan, as amended.  Each unit represents a right to receive a payment in cash equal to the fair market value of one share of CPI's common stock as of 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 if the Director's service as a member of the CPI Board of Directors terminates, unless separation is due to death or change in control.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Restricted Stock Units granted 8/15/2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kristin R. Myers, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-08-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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