Pinellas County's outdoor lighting framework follows Florida Statute 161.163 and the state model lighting ordinance, with twelve of thirteen barrier-island municipalities enforcing shielded amber lighting from May through October to protect nesting sea turtles.
Florida Statute 161.163 directs the Department of Environmental Protection to publish a model lighting ordinance for marine turtle protection (Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62B-55). Pinellas County and most barrier-island cities such as St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Indian Rocks Beach, and Madeira Beach have adopted lighting ordinances based on that model, requiring beachfront fixtures to be shielded, low-mounted, and of a long-wavelength amber spectrum during the May 1 through October 31 nesting season. Visible interior light from beachfront properties must also be controlled with tinted glass, blinds, or drawn curtains. Pinellas County publicizes the standards through its Sea Turtle Protection program.
Noncompliant lights during sea turtle nesting season can result in municipal citations, daily fines under local barrier-island ordinances, and corrective orders to retrofit fixtures.
Pinellas County, FL
Sound from commercial or industrial zones reaching nearby residential property lines may not exceed 55 dBA between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. weekdays and Satu...
Pinellas County, FL
Aircraft operations at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and other airfields are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration; the county cannot ...
Pinellas County, FL
Pinellas County treats a dog that barks for 15 or more sustained minutes within an eight-hour window on two separate dates in a three-day period as a public ...
Pinellas County, FL
Pinellas County does not restrict gas-powered leaf blowers specifically; their use is governed by the general residential noise limits in Chapter 58, Article...
Pinellas County, FL
Pinellas County has no countywide overnight parking ban, but Sec. 122-37 limits overnight residential storage of prohibited vehicles and Sec. 138-3220 govern...
Pinellas County, FL
Florida Statute 366.94 preempts local regulation of electric vehicle charging stations to the state; Pinellas County issues permits based solely on standards...
See how Pinellas County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.