Hollywood, FL Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Nesting Season
- March 1 through October 31
- Existing development deadline
- March 2, 2015
- Shielded parking light height cap
- 12 feet above ground
- Window glass transmittance limit
- 45 percent or less
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. O-2011-07, passed 3-2-11
- Enforcement
- § 10.99 penalty, Special Magistrate (Ch. 36)
Summary
Hollywood's Chapter 108 bars artificial light from reaching the Beach during Marine Turtle Nesting Season, March 1 through October 31. New coastal construction must use shielded, downward-directed, low-wattage amber or red fixtures under § 108.05, and existing buildings had to retrofit by March 2, 2015 under § 108.06, with penalties enforced through the Special Magistrate.
It is the intent of the City that no Artificial Light shall illuminate the Beach during Nesting Season... (A) Controlled use, design and positioning of lights. (1) Exterior Artificial Light fixtures shall be designed and positioned so that the point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not directly visible from the Beach, the areas seaward of the Frontal Dune are not Directly or Indirectly Illuminated, and the areas seaward of the Frontal Dune are not Cumulatively Illuminated. (2) Exterior Artificial Light fixtures within direct line-of-sight of the Beach are considered appropriately designed if: (a) The fixtures are downlight or recessed fixtures that are completely shielded from the Beach side and have Low Wattage amber or red, LED, LPS, Bug Type Bulb, or True Neon Light and non-reflective interior surfaces are used.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 108, adopted by Ord. O-2011-07 on March 2, 2011, regulates every property with a direct line-of-sight to the Hollywood Beach during Nesting Season, March 1 through October 31. 05 governs new development: exterior fixtures must be positioned so no point source or reflective surface is visible from the Beach, and fixtures within line-of-sight must be downlight or recessed, completely shielded on the Beach side, and use Low Wattage amber or red LED, LPS, Bug Type Bulb, or True Neon lighting. Parking, pool deck, and roadway lights must be shielded with bollards and kept at or below 12 feet, and motion detectors that cut lights after five minutes are the preferred safety option.
05(B) requires tinted glass with a transmittance value of 45 percent or less on east-facing and shore-perpendicular windows. 06(D). 06(G) exempts city-owned street, park, and public safety lighting if it is shielded or shaded. 06 standard to existing buildings. 06) and suspends enforcement during a declared state or local emergency.
Violations & Fines
Section 108.09 makes any private property owner, occupant, developer, entity, or contractor who violates Chapter 108 punishable under the city's general penalty provision, § 10.99 of the Code of Ordinances. The city may also pursue enforcement through the Special Magistrate process under Chapter 36, seek an injunction, or use any other remedy the law allows, so a single violation can trigger both a code-enforcement fine and a civil abatement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the shielding rule apply to my beachfront condo?
What kind of light fixtures are allowed during Nesting Season?
Are streetlights and public safety lighting exempt?
What happens if I ignore the lighting requirements?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hollywood
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hollywood to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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