Outdoor Lighting in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Fort Lauderdale requires new construction visible from the beach to shield or eliminate light that could disorient nesting sea turtles. Code section 6-49 sets 13 design standards, from fully shielded downlight fixtures and 50-watt bug-type bulbs to tinted glass and low-mounted balcony lights, so that no artificial light illuminates the beach or dune system during nesting season.
Fort Lauderdale Sea-Turtle Beach Lighting Rules
Significant RestrictionsFort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances ch. 6, art. III, div. 2, Sec. 6-49 (Ord. No. C-03-9, § 1, 2-18-03)
Sec. 6-49. - Lighting standards for new development. It is the policy of the City of Fort Lauderdale that no artificial light shall illuminate any area of the incorporated beaches of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ... (2) Exterior artificial light fixtures within direct line-of-sight of the beach are considered appropriately designed if they are completely shielded downlight only fixtures, or recess...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Fort Lauderdale's minimum housing code requires every private parking lot open to the public to be lit so that no glare or excessive light spills onto adjacent property. Code section 9-304(c) applies citywide to commercial, multifamily and single-family properties with public parking facilities, and pairs the lighting rule with a ban on drainage that creates a nuisance next door.
Fort Lauderdale Parking Lot Light Trespass Rule
Some RestrictionsFort Lauderdale, FL, Code of Ordinances ch. 9, art. VI, Sec. 9-304(c) (Ord. No. C-89-31, § 2(48-54), 4-18-89)
Sec. 9-304. - Minimum standards for private parking lots. ... (c) All off-street parking facilities for the use of the public shall be drained so as not to cause any nuisance on adjacent or public property, and any lighting thereof shall be so arranged and designed as to prevent any glare or excessive light on adjacent property. Such facilities shall be arranged for convenient access and safety...
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Lauderdale city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in Broward County →