Charlotte County, FL Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- Program covers
- school-zone speed only
- Red-light camera program
- does not exist
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2025-031, 9-9-25
- Eligible campuses
- 20 named schools
- Enforced by
- certified traffic infraction officers
Summary
Charlotte County has no red-light camera program; it authorizes photo enforcement only for school-zone speed limits. Ord. No. 2025-031, adopted September 9, 2025 and codified at Sec. 2-4-12, lets the county administrator install speed detection systems at 20 named schools where traffic data show a heightened safety risk, under Florida Department of Transportation placement standards.
(a)Purpose and intent. The purpose of this Ordinance is to authorize and implement the use of speed detection systems to enforce applicable speed limits in roadways properly maintained as school zones, as authorized by and in accordance with sections 316.008 and 316.0776, Florida Statutes...to promote traffic safety and student welfare.(b)Use of speed detection systems...The County Administrator, or his/her designee, is hereby authorized to implement speed detection systems within Charlotte County consistent with the placement and installation specifications established by the Florida Department of Transportation...to enforce unlawful speed violations, as specified in sections 316.1895 and 316.183, Florida Statutes, on roadways maintained as school zones.
Full Breakdown
Charlotte County's photo-enforcement ordinance, Sec. 2-4-12, covers only speed detection in school zones; the county has adopted no red-light camera ordinance for intersections. Passed as Ord. No. 183. 008(9). A. Ainger and Port Charlotte Middle; two high schools, Lemon Bay and Port Charlotte High; and five private schools such as Babcock Neighborhood School and St. Charles Borromeo. 1896 issues the citations, and the Sheriff's Office handles notices, penalty assessment and appeals 'consistent with the requirements of applicable law,' meaning the state's photo-enforcement statute governs the fine amount and appeal process rather than a locally set fee schedule.
The county administrator must also post signage, run a public-awareness campaign before cameras go live, and comply with state reporting requirements, and every dollar spent on the systems must first clear the board of county commissioners' budget process.
Violations & Fines
Citations for school-zone speed camera violations are issued by a traffic infraction enforcement officer certified under F.S. § 316.1896 for violations of F.S. §§ 316.1895 and 316.183. The Sheriff's Office or its designee handles the notice of violation, penalty assessment, remittance and any appeal, following the process set out in the underlying Florida photo-enforcement statutes rather than a locally set fine schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Charlotte County use red-light cameras?
Which schools can get speed cameras in Charlotte County?
Who decides where cameras go and who pays for them?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charlotte County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Charlotte County to another location·View the Florida mobility & curb rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.