-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DiRonNFXBfabc4nsH4QdhuiUF6Atgz+1BnGlyUR10QQ8Go46qE23awJszTxB0yk2
 6ujjyij2VeDS5+klg4cxNg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-030598.txt : 20101214
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-030598.hdr.sgml : 20101214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101214170207
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-030598
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101211
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101214

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GELLERSTEDT LAWRENCE L III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001056731

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11312
		FILM NUMBER:		101251182

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MARQUIS TOWER SUITE 245
		STREET 2:		245 PEACHTREE CENTER AVENUE NE
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303

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>2010-12-11</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001056731</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GELLERSTEDT LAWRENCE L III</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>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>449</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.97</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>122024</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1923</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>123947</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1923</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.69</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>122024</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1655</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Profit Sharing Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1923</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-12-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-12-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1923</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares withheld from the vesting of restricted stock to pay the reporting person's tax liability as permitted under the 1999 Incentive Stock Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 40,191 restricted stock awarded under the Cousins Properties Incorporated (CPI) 1999 and 2009 Incentive Stock Plans.   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 upon termination of employment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">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.  Unforfeited shares held prior to vesting will earn dividends paid annually but will not have shareholder rights.  All unvested shares will forfeit upon termination of employment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">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>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-12-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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