Flagler County, FL Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- unincorporated Flagler County beach corridor
- Nesting season
- May 1 through October 31
- Existing-development deadline
- August 1, 2001
- Exempt lighting
- navigation aids, motion sensors, traffic signals
- Tinted glass standard
- 45% max light transmittance
- Enforcement
- Ch. 9 Code Enforcement + Sec. 6.02.04 LDC
Summary
Unincorporated Flagler County requires new beachside development to shield, position or turn off exterior lighting so it cannot be seen from the beach during the May 1 to October 31 sea turtle nesting season. The rule covers buildings, signs, parking lots and dune walkovers within the regulated corridor west of State Road A1A.
A violation of any of the provisions of this article shall be subject to the penalties and procedures as provided for in chapter 9, Flagler County Code, the enforcement provisions of section 6.02.04, Flagler County Land Development Code, and/or to prosecution for a violation of this article in accordance with section 1-6, Flagler County Code. ... (a)It is the policy of Flagler County to minimize artificial light illuminating the entire coastal beach of the County, and said lighting for new development shall be regulated as provided in this section. ... (1)Light fixtures shall be designed, positioned, shielded, or otherwise modified such that the source of light and any reflective surfaces of the fixture shall not be directly visible by a person who is in a standing position on the beach.(2)Lights shall not directly or indirectly illuminate the beach during the sea turtle nesting season.
Full Breakdown
01 as the regulated boundaries between the Atlantic Ocean and the westerly right-of-way of State Road A1A. 01 sets the nesting season as May 1 through October 31 each year. 05 requires light fixtures to be designed, positioned or shielded so the light source and any reflective surfaces are not directly visible to a person standing on the beach, bars lights from illuminating the beach during nesting season, requires tinted glass or window film meeting a 45 percent maximum light transmittance standard on windows facing the beach, and requires sign lighting to be shielded from the beach.
06 gave existing buildings, structures and signs within line of sight of the beach until August 1, 2001 to comply, with options including shielding fixtures, turning decorative or recreational lights off during nesting season, and applying window tint or rearranging interior lamps. 07 imposed the same August 1, 2001 deadline on publicly owned streetlights and park lighting within the regulated boundaries, exempting navigation aids, motion sensors and traffic control devices. 10 allows any aggrieved applicant to appeal an enforcement official's order.
Violations & Fines
Section 6.05.02 subjects a violation of this article to the penalties and procedures of Chapter 9 (Code Enforcement) of the Flagler County Code, the enforcement mechanisms of Land Development Code Section 6.02.04, and prosecution as a violation under Section 1-6 of the Flagler County Code. Artificial lighting that violates the Endangered Species Act, but is not otherwise regulated by this article, may separately be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for federal enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Flagler County require outdoor lighting to be shielded near the beach?
What about lighting on buildings built before the ordinance?
Are streetlights exempt from Flagler County's turtle lighting rule?
Does this rule apply inside Palm Coast or Flagler Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flagler County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Flagler County to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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