Local rules only
Florida
Last checked October 29, 2026
Florida sets no statewide lighting limit itself. Section 161.163 tells DEP to designate sea turtle nesting coasts and issue guidelines for local beachfront lighting rules; the Model Lighting Ordinance in Rule 62B-55 (updated December 15, 2020) is that guidance. Enforcement is local: FWC lists roughly 90 city and county ordinances across 26 counties. Volusia County's requires shielded fixtures and no beach lighting May 1 to October 31.
| Statute | Citation | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal areas used by sea turtles; rules (opens in new tab) | Fla. Stat. ยง 161.163 | 1986 |
| General guidance to local governments (Model Lighting Ordinance for Marine Turtle Protection) (opens in new tab) | Fla. Admin. Code r. 62B-55.004 | 2020 |
Municipal codes
- Volusia County, FL (opens in new tab): Code of Ordinances Chapter 72, Article III, Division 12 (Sea Turtle Protection) requires beachfront fixtures to be shielded so the source is not visible from the beach, and bars lighting that illuminates the beach during the May 1 to October 31 nesting season.
- Sarasota, FL (opens in new tab): City ordinance (2004-118) regulates beachfront lighting to protect nesting sea turtles.
Certified dark sky places in Florida
Bringing your own outdoor lighting up to the same standard? See Dark-Sky Friendly Outdoor Lighting.
Sources
- https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/161.163 (opens in new tab)
- https://regulations.justia.com/states/florida/62/62b/chapter-62b-55/section-62b-55-004 (opens in new tab)
- https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/62B-55_ModelLightingOrdinance_NPR_0.pdf (opens in new tab)
- https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/lighting/ordinances/ (opens in new tab)
- https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/sea-turtle/protection/ (opens in new tab)
- https://www.volusia.org/core/fileparse.php/6748/urlt/Turtle-Lighting-508.pdf (opens in new tab)
- https://sarasota.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/OrdNo2004-118_signedUpdated.pdf (opens in new tab)