Deerfield Beach, FL Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 34-60
- Floodlights
- Prohibited on new construction
- Required fixture type
- Full cutoff, fully shielded, long wavelength
- Bollard/path light height cap
- 48 inches
- Construction security light cap
- 15 feet
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Deerfield Beach bans floodlights and requires full cut-off, fully shielded, long-wavelength fixtures on any new construction whose lighting can be seen from the beach. Parking areas, walkways, pools and building exteriors on the seaward side must meet strict cutoff and mounting-height standards under City Code Section 34-60 to protect nesting sea turtles.
Full cutoff means lighting fixture constructed in such a manner that no light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing element or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of the luminaire, is projected at or above 90 degrees as determined by photometric test or certified by the fixture manufacturer. Fully shielded means a lighting fixture constructed in such a manner that the glowing elements, lamps, globes, or reflectors of the fixture are completely covered by an opaque material to prevent them from being directly visible from the beach. ... All lighting affixed to the exterior of new permanent structures shall be long wave length, downward directed, full cut-off, fully shielded, and mounted as close to the ground or finished floor surface as possible to achieve the required foot-candles.
Full Breakdown
Section 34-60 sets the standard for any building, parking lot, dune walkover or exterior lighting whose glow reaches the incorporated beach. All exterior lighting on new permanent structures must be long wavelength, downward directed, full cut-off, fully shielded, and mounted as close to the ground or finished floor as possible. Floodlights are prohibited outright; non-egress lighting (decorative, balcony, landscape, uplights) may only be affixed to the landward side of a building and must use a long-wavelength source invisible from the beach. Parking and roadway lighting must use ground-level, baffled fixtures facing away from the beach, bollards no taller than 48 inches, or pole lights aimed downward on non-reflective surfaces.
Path and walkway lighting is limited to low-level step, paver, or bollard fixtures, also capped at 48 inches. 45 or less and a five-year minimum warranty. Temporary construction security lights are capped at 15 feet in height and may not spill past the property line. All fixtures must be Certified Wildlife Lighting approved through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The rule was adopted by Ordinance No. 2015/022, Section 6, on August 18, 2015, and amended by Ordinance No. 2022/002, Section 2, on January 4, 2022.
Violations & Fines
The code enforcement special magistrate has direct jurisdiction over Section 34-60 violations under Code Section 2-357(a)(2)m. A person convicted of violating Section 34-60 is subject to the citywide general penalty in Section 1-15(d): a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, plus a mandatory $25.00 crime prevention fund contribution. Each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense. The property owner and anyone who owns or maintains the offending light source are both liable under Section 34-60(f).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a floodlight on a new beachfront home in Deerfield Beach?
What does "full cutoff" lighting mean under Deerfield Beach's code?
How tall can bollard or path lights be near the beach?
Who enforces Deerfield Beach's beach lighting rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Deerfield Beach
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