Palm Beach County, FL Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture type
- IESNA full-cutoff, zero lumens above 90°
- Residential light trespass cap
- 0.33 foot-candles at property line
- Non-residential light trespass cap
- 3.0 foot-candles at property line
- Commercial/industrial curfew
- Lights off by 11:00 p.m.
- Exempt
- Single-family, duplex, streetlights
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County requires full-cutoff outdoor luminaires that direct zero lumens above 90 degrees from nadir, caps light trespass at property lines, and shuts off most commercial lighting by 11 p.m. to curb glare and sky glow.
All outdoor lighting shall utilize full-cutoff luminaires per the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) definition of full cutoff which allows for zero percent of lumens above 90 degrees from nadir. No luminaires other than landscape lighting exempted per Art. 5.E.4.E.2.c.4), Landscape and Accent Lighting, shall be directed upwards to avoid urban sky glow. In the U/S Tier, accent and landscape luminaires not exceeding 100 watts. [Ord. 2005-041] [Ord. 2008-037] b. Light Trespass The maximum illumination at the property line of an adjoining residential parcel or public R-O-W is 0.33 horizontal and vertical foot-candles measured at six feet above grade level. Said illumination likewise measured at the property line of an adjoining non-residential parcel, shall not exceed 3.0 horizontal and vertical foot-candles measured at six feet above grade level. [Ord. 2005-041] c. Security Lighting and Time Restrictions 1) Full-cutoff luminaires shall be used for all security lighting and dusk-to-dawn area lighting. [Ord. 2005-041] 2) Outdoor illumination, including but not limited to, areas used for outdoor sales and display, eating, parking, assembly, service, storage of equipment and freight, loading and unloading,
Unified Land Development Code Supplement No. 32 (Printed 10/25)
Full Breakdown
The ULDC's outdoor lighting standards (Art. 5.E.4.E) apply countywide in unincorporated Palm Beach County, not in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, or the county's other 39 municipalities, which set their own rules. All fixtures except single-family/duplex homes, streetlights, and shielded landscape lighting must be IESNA full-cutoff luminaires, banning drop-lens fixtures and any upward-directed light beyond exempt landscape accents. Light trespass onto a neighboring residential lot is capped at 0.33 foot-candles; commercial and industrial site lighting (parking, loading, outdoor sales) must go dark by 11 p.m. or one hour after use ends, and parking areas need photocell or astronomical timers.
Violations & Fines
Zoning enforcement can cite noncompliant fixtures under the ULDC's general enforcement provisions; new construction must submit a signed Certificate of Compliance before Palm Beach County will issue a Certificate of Occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palm Beach County require dark-sky or full-cutoff lighting?
Are single-family homes exempt from the lighting standards?
How much light can cross onto my neighbor's property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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