Outdoor Lighting in St. Johns County, FL (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated St. Johns County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
St. Johns County's Land Development Code requires full cutoff light fixtures on any non-residential, multi-family, or common-area project built next to a residential use or residentially zoned parcel. Illumination at the property line is capped at 0.2 footcandles beside residential land and 1.0 footcandles elsewhere. Growth Management can waive the fixture type only with the County Administrator's written authorization.
St. Johns County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Johns County Land Development Code § 6.09.02.A, 6.09.02.C
A. Illumination values at the property line of a Project shall not be more than 0.2 fc at any point when the Project is located next to any residential Use or residentially zoned property. The illumination values at the property line of a Project adjacent to any other Use shall not be more than 1.0 fc. Compliance with these criteria shall not be required between two adjacent non-residential pro...
Light Trespass & Shielding
St. Johns County's Land Development Code bars any bright light from a covered project that spills onto adjacent property, streets, or individual residential lots as nuisance or disabling glare. Sec. 6.09.02.D treats light crossing a property line or shining above the horizontal plane as noncompliant, and canopy lighting at drive-throughs and car washes must use recessed or cutoff fixtures.
St. Johns County Light Trespass Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Johns County Land Development Code § 6.09.02.D, 6.09.02.E
D. Any bright light shining onto adjacent property or Streets, including individual residential Lots, which would result in a nuisance glare or a disabling glare, shall not be permitted. Light trespass beyond property boundaries or above the horizontal plane shall be considered noncompliant. ... E. At canopied areas, such as those found at drive-through facilities, service stations, convenience...
Billboard Lighting
St. Johns County bars flashing, scintillating, beacon or running lights and animated copy on any billboard under LDC § 7.01.03. Lighting is otherwise allowed only if it meets the countywide sign-illumination standard in § 7.00.06.C, which caps brightness at 0.3 footcandles over ambient light and requires shielding from roads and homes.
St. Johns County Billboard Lighting Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Johns County Land Development Code § 7.01.03
Movement No Billboard shall be Erected, or any existing Billboard modified or operated, that incorporates Flashing, Scintillating, Beacon, or Running Lights, or Animated Copy. ... Lighting Billboards may be lighted in accordance with Section 7.00.06.C of this Article.
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