Leon County, FL Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Property-line light limit
- 0.1 footcandles at 6 feet
- Parking fixture height cap
- 15 feet from average grade
- Fixture mounting
- wall mounted, recessed bulbs
- Prohibited fixtures
- wall or roof mounted floodlights/spotlights
- Governing section
- Sec. 10-6.612, Site Design Criteria
Summary
Rural commercial and restricted uses in Leon County's Rural Zoning District must wall-mount outdoor lighting, follow Dark Sky Friendly guidelines, and use recessed bulbs and filters that hide the light source. Property-line light near homes cannot exceed 0.1 footcandles, and parking lot fixtures are capped at 15 feet.
(2) Lighting: On-site lighting including 24-hour security lighting shall be wall mounted with illumination focused on the building in a manner that limits off-site illumination, consistent with the "Dark Sky Friendly" guidelines. All exterior lighting shall have recessed bulbs and filters which conceal the source of illumination. Security lighting is permitted; however, wall or roof mounted flood or spot lights used as general grounds lighting are prohibited. Lighting at the property line (six feet above ground) adjacent to residential uses shall not exceed 0.1 footcandles. Lighting for parking areas shall not exceed 15 feet in height as measured from average grade to the light fixture.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 612's site design criteria for rural commercial uses, community service uses, and restricted uses set a specific lighting standard as part of the required site plan submittal. On-site lighting, including 24-hour security lighting, must be wall mounted with illumination focused on the building so it limits off-site spill, consistent with Dark Sky Friendly guidelines. Every exterior fixture needs recessed bulbs and filters that conceal the light source. Security lighting is allowed, but wall or roof mounted floodlights or spotlights used as general grounds lighting are barred outright.
1 footcandles, and any parking area fixture cannot exceed 15 feet in height measured from average grade to the light. 5 dwelling units per acre or more, and screening for outdoor service equipment, all reviewed through the county's site and development plan process.
Violations & Fines
Installing wall or roof mounted floodlights or spotlights as general grounds lighting, or exceeding the 0.1 footcandle limit at a residential property line or the 15-foot parking fixture height cap, violates the site design criteria in Sec. 10-6.612 and can block site plan approval for a rural commercial or restricted use under the county's Article VII development review process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can outdoor lighting be near homes next to a Leon County rural commercial use?
Are floodlights allowed for a rural commercial site in Leon County?
How tall can parking lot light poles be for a rural commercial use in Leon County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Leon County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Leon County to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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