Local rules only
Florida
Last checked 2026-09-23
Florida's Marine Turtle Protection Act directs the Department of Environmental Protection and FWC to identify sea turtle nesting beaches and maintain a statewide model lighting ordinance that restricts beachfront lighting visible from the beach during nesting and hatchling season. The restrictions take legal effect where more than 50 coastal counties and cities, including Volusia, Sarasota, Palm Beach, and Collier, have adopted the model ordinance locally.
| Statute | Citation | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Turtle Protection Act, coastal lighting | Fla. Stat. ยง 379.2431 | |
| Model Lighting Ordinance for Marine Turtle Protection | Fla. Admin. Code r. 62B-55 |
Municipal codes
- Volusia County, FL: Adopted a sea turtle protection lighting ordinance restricting visible beachfront lighting during nesting season.
- Sarasota, FL: City ordinance (2004-118) regulates beachfront lighting to protect nesting sea turtles.
Sources
- https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2020/title-xxviii/chapter-379/part-ii/section-379-2431/
- https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/62B-55_ModelLightingOrdinance_NPR_0.pdf
- https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/lighting/ordinances/
- https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/sea-turtle/protection/