Miami-Dade County, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Overspill limit
- 1/2 footcandle onto neighbors
- Permit required
- Yes, plan review by Zoning
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Miami-Dade (UMSA) only
- Certification
- Engineer/architect field-check letter
Summary
Unincorporated Miami-Dade requires a permit and detailed plans for outdoor area lighting, capping spillover onto neighbors at one-half footcandle.
Lights for area lighting of outdoor areas...shall not be permitted except under the following conditions: (a)Detailed plans shall be submitted to the Department showing the location, height, type of lights, shades, deflectors and beam directions...outdoor lighting for recreational and offstreet area parking purposes...in the RU, EU, AU and GU Zones shall be designed so that any overspill of lighting onto adjacent properties shall not exceed one-half (½) footcandle (vertical) and shall not exceed one-half (½) footcandle (horizontal) illumination on adjacent properties or structures.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Miami-Dade County (UMSA), outdoor area lighting for tennis courts, golf courses, sports fields, parking lots, amusement areas and security lighting is banned unless the Zoning Department first approves detailed plans showing fixture location, height, type, shades, deflectors and beam direction. In the RU, EU, AU and GU residential zones (and in BU/IU zones abutting them), any light overspill onto adjacent property is capped at one-half footcandle, both vertically and horizontally, and a registered engineer or architect must certify by letter that the installation was field-checked and meets that limit before it goes into permanent use. This chapter governs only unincorporated Miami-Dade; the 34 municipalities, including Miami and Miami Beach, apply their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted or noncompliant outdoor lighting is a zoning code violation; the Department can deny or revoke the permit and require the installation brought into compliance, and Code Enforcement can cite the property under Chapter 8CC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside the City of Miami or Miami Beach?
How much light can spill onto my neighbor's yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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