Hollywood's Outdoor Lighting: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor lighting a little differently. In Hollywood, Florida, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Dark Sky Rules

Hollywood's Chapter 108 bars artificial light from reaching the Beach during Marine Turtle Nesting Season, March 1 through October 31. New coastal construction must use shielded, downward-directed, low-wattage amber or red fixtures under § 108.05, and existing buildings had to retrofit by March 2, 2015 under § 108.06, with penalties enforced through the Special Magistrate.

Key details: Nesting Season: March 1 through October 31. Existing development deadline: March 2, 2015. Shielded parking light height cap: 12 feet above ground. Window glass transmittance limit: 45 percent or less. Governing ordinance: Ord. O-2011-07, passed 3-2-11.

Section 108.09 makes any private property owner, occupant, developer, entity, or contractor who violates Chapter 108 punishable under the city's general penalty provision, § 10.99 of the Code of Ordinances. The city may also pursue enforcement through the Special Magistrate process under Chapter 36, seek an injunction, or use any other remedy the law allows, so a single violation can trigger both a code-enforcement fine and a civil abatement action.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Hollywood actively enforces its dark sky rules requirements.

Billboard Lighting

Hollywood limits how any sign, including a billboard, may be lit: only four illumination methods are allowed and none may cause glare toward neighboring property or drivers. Any electrically illuminated sign also needs its own separate electrical permit and inspection.

Key details: Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 8.3.A.3. Allowed methods: 4 listed methods only. Glare rule: No direct glare on property or drivers. Neon exception: Barred on monument signs. Electrical permit: Separate permit required, § 8.2.C.

Illuminating a sign or billboard by a method outside the four listed in § 8.3.A.3, causing glare toward another property or drivers in violation of § 8.3.A.3 or § 8.6.A.3, or electrically illuminating a sign without the separate electrical permit required by § 8.2.C, exposes the sign to code enforcement action and denial or revocation of the sign permit.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Hollywood's zoning code requires that lighting for any required off-street parking facility be arranged and designed to prevent glare or excessive light from spilling onto adjacent property. The rule applies citywide to every development, from home additions to shopping centers, that must provide off-street parking under Zoning and Land Development Regulations § 7.1.

Key details: Governing section: § 7.1.B.2.f. Standard: No glare or excessive light on adjacent property. Applies to: All required off-street parking facilities. Site plan required: Under § 7.1.B.2.g with permit application. Enforcement: Office of Code Enforcement / Special Magistrate.

A parking lot light that glares onto a neighboring lot is cited as a zoning violation through the Code Enforcement Board process in Chapter 36. After a notice of violation and a chance to correct, an uncorrected case goes to a Special Magistrate hearing under § 36.29(A)(1), which can order a fine of up to $1,000 per day the violation continues, or up to $5,000 per day for a repeat violation, plus enforcement costs. Orders are appealable to the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit within 30 days under § 36.29(D)(1).

The Bottom Line

Hollywood'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 Hollywood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Hollywood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.