Sarasota, FL Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Fixture type
- Full cut-off, fully shielded
- Parking lot pole height
- 30 ft max
- Pedestrian area pole height
- 15 ft max
- Bollard height
- 42 in. max
- Applies to
- New/expanded nonresidential & multifamily sites
Summary
City of Sarasota requires full cut-off, fully shielded fixtures on new nonresidential and multifamily site lighting, capping pole height at 30 feet in parking lots and 15 feet in pedestrian areas, so light stays on-site instead of spilling onto neighbors.
(1)Fixtures (luminaires). The light source shall be completely concealed within an opaque housing on all sides except for the bottom of the fixture where illumination exits the fixture and shall not be visible from any street right-of-way or adjacent properties. All fixtures shall be full cut-off fixtures. ... (2)Fixture and pole height. Lighting fixtures and poles shall be a maximum of 30 feet in height within the parking lot and shall be a maximum of 15 feet in height within non-vehicular pedestrian areas.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Zoning: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
Zoning Code § VII-1402 applies to new nonresidential and multifamily development, plus expansions or remodels exceeding 50 percent of assessed valuation and fixture replacements of 50 percent or more. Every fixture must be a full cut-off type with the light source fully concealed in an opaque housing so it isn't visible from the street or neighboring properties, and mounted so the light cone points down and stays on-site. Poles are capped at 30 feet in parking areas and 15 feet in pedestrian areas (bollards at 42 inches), and site lighting can't supersede the county's marine turtle protection rules under article XXIII of the county code.
Violations & Fines
Unshielded or non-cut-off fixtures, poles exceeding the height caps, or illumination levels above the code's maximum footcandle table are violations the director of development services can require the owner to correct before occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shielded fixtures required for Sarasota parking lots?
How tall can a parking lot light pole be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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Dark Sky Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sarasota County handle dark sky rules.