Tarpon Springs zoning code regulates outdoor lighting through performance standards in the Comprehensive Zoning and Land Development Code, with special coastal-lighting requirements protecting nesting sea turtles along Gulf-facing properties.
Tarpon Springs regulates outdoor lighting primarily through the Comprehensive Zoning and Land Development Code, which sets performance standards in Article IV (Special Regulations) and the district regulations of Article II. Site-plan-reviewed projects must use full cutoff or shielded fixtures, limit pole heights, and avoid spilling light onto adjacent properties. For Gulf-facing and coastal parcels within sea turtle nesting habitat, more stringent rules consistent with the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act apply during nesting season (May 1 to October 31), requiring low-mounted, long-wavelength, shielded fixtures or seasonal shutoffs. The city does not have a formal IDA dark-sky designation but applies similar shielding and trespass principles.
Code enforcement citations, permit revocation, and Florida Fish and Wildlife violations during turtle nesting season for non-compliant coastal lighting.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle dark sky rules.
See how Tarpon Springs's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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