Outdoor Lighting in Sarasota County, FL (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Sarasota County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Sarasota County's Marine Turtle Protection Code bans any light fixture visible from the Beach on Casey Key, Lido Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, and unincorporated Venice Island. New and existing beachfront lighting must be shielded, low-mounted, and low-wattage or it must go dark for the nesting season.
Sarasota County Beachfront Sea Turtle Lighting Rules
Significant RestrictionsSarasota County Code § 54-755
New Development, coastal construction, and building and electrical plans for construction of any structure shall be in compliance with the following, if the proposed development is waterward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), or if the development creates any light sources that will be visible from the Beach. ... (1)Exterior Artificial Light fixtures shall be designed and position...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Sarasota County's outdoor-lighting standards cap light spilling onto neighbors: illumination at the property line may not exceed 0.2 footcandles on adjacent residential uses and 0.5 footcandles on commercial sites and public rights-of-way. Lighting cannot glare onto streets, and outdoor recreation areas next to homes cannot be lit after 10:00 p.m.
Light Trespass and Glare Rules in Sarasota County
Some RestrictionsSarasota County Zoning Regs, Outdoor Lighting (Sec. 7.5)
The maximum illumination measured in footcandles at the property line shall not exceed 0.2 on adjacent residential uses, and 0.5 on adjacent commercial sites and public rights-of-way.
Outdoor Lighting by City in Sarasota County
2 cities in Sarasota County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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