Volusia County enforces sea turtle lighting standards under F.S. §161.163 along its 47-mile Atlantic coast. Fully shielded, long-wavelength (amber/red) fixtures required in coastal jurisdictions. Inland areas have general glare/trespass rules.
Volusia County Code Ch. 72 Article XII and municipal ordinances in Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, and Ormond-by-the-Sea implement F.S. §161.163 sea turtle lighting protections. Requirements apply May 1 through October 31 annually during sea turtle nesting. All light visible from the Atlantic beach must be: (1) fully shielded from the beach side, (2) low-mounted, (3) long-wavelength amber/red LED at 560nm+ or filtered, or (4) turned off. New beachfront construction must submit lighting plans with building permits. Inland Volusia (DeLand, Deltona, unincorporated western areas) follows general LDC glare and light-trespass standards rather than strict dark-sky rules. Parking lot lighting has pole height limits (typically 20-30 feet) and must not spill onto residential zones. LED retrofits on beachfront must meet Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) 'Model Lighting Ordinance for Marine Turtle Protection' standards.
Non-compliant beachfront lighting during nesting season: fines $50-$500 per night per fixture, federal ESA liability up to $50,000 for takes. Inland glare violations: notice and 30-day correction. Commercial non-compliance: permit review/revocation possible.
Volusia County, FL
Volusia County prohibits abandoned and inoperable vehicles on public roads and unscreened on private property under Code Ch. 22 and FL §705.103. 72-hour noti...
Volusia County, FL
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Volusia County, FL
Volusia County Land Development Code specifies approved fence materials by zoning district. Hurricane-rated construction recommended in coastal Daytona/NSB. ...
Volusia County, FL
Volusia County requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing to top). Engineered plans required over 4 ft or wi...
Volusia County, FL
Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (FL §515) mandates pool barriers for all residential pools built after 10/1/2000. Volusia enforces 4-foot mini...
Volusia County, FL
Volusia County has significant wildfire exposure in its western pine flatwoods and wildland-urban interface areas. Florida Forest Service rules and County Co...
See how Volusia County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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