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Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor Lighting in Coral Gables, FL: What Residents Actually Need to Know

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

If you live in Coral Gables or are thinking about moving there, outdoor lighting are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Coral Gables has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of outdoor lighting, and some of them might surprise you.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Coral Gables caps shielded outdoor security lighting at 2,000 lumens in residential zones, requires glare stay off neighboring yards, and limits pole height to 14 feet under the zoning code's Article 12 lighting standards.

Key details: Shielded lumen cap: 2,000 lumens (SFR/MF1). Unshielded entrance cap: 1,000 lumens at entrance. Max pole height: 14 feet. Color temperature cap: 3,000 Kelvin. Glare rule: Not visible from neighbors.

Zoning violations, including noncompliant security lighting, are enforceable by the code enforcement board or special magistrate under Sec. 1-7, carrying fines up to $1,000 per day for a first violation and $5,000 per day for a repeat violation.

Dark Sky Rules

Coral Gables caps residential outdoor light color temperature at 3000 Kelvin and limits shielded fixtures to 2,000 lumens, requiring glare to stay off neighboring yards under the city's dark-sky ambience standards.

Key details: Residential CCT cap: 3000 Kelvin. Shielded fixture cap (SFR/MF1): 2,000 lumens. Unshielded fixture cap (entrance): 1,000 lumens. Max light pole height: 14 feet. Non-res spillover limit onto homes: 0.5 foot-candle.

Enforced as a Code of Ordinances violation under Sec. 1-7: fines up to $500 per offense, or, through the Code Enforcement Board/special magistrate, up to $1,000/day for a first violation and $5,000/day for a repeat violation.

The Bottom Line

Coral Gables's outdoor lighting rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Coral Gables is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Coral Gables can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.