Miami Beach, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass (2026)

Miami Beach outdoor lighting must comply with Miami-Dade County Code Section 33-4.1 and local land development regulations requiring that all area lighting be located, oriented, adjusted, and shielded so that light is deflected, shaded, and focused away from adjacent property and does not create a traffic hazard through glare. Residential properties must ensure that security lights, landscape lighting, and decorative fixtures do not cast unreasonable light onto neighboring parcels. Full-cutoff fixtures that direct light downward are recommended for all exterior applications. Commercial properties including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues must contain their lighting within property boundaries. The city's Land Development Regulations under Chapter 126 address landscape and site lighting standards. Properties near the beach face the additional layer of the Turtle Nesting Protection Ordinance, which restricts any lighting visible from the beach during nesting season. Light trespass complaints are handled by Code Compliance, which may require property owners to adjust, shield, or remove offending fixtures. In disputes between neighbors, the city may mediate or issue compliance orders requiring fixture modifications.