Volusia County, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered hours
- Sunset to sunrise only
- Covered structures
- 1- and 2-family homes, accessories
- First penalty
- $50.00 civil fine
- Fourth+ violation
- $500.00 fine
- Correction period
- None before penalty levied
- Enforcement path
- Special magistrate, § 2-395
Summary
Volusia County bars any residential outdoor light fixture from directly illuminating beyond the property line between sunset and sunrise, under Sec. 50-480(b)(2). Violations carry a $50 civil penalty that climbs to $500 for a fourth offense within five years, with no chance to correct before the fine is levied.
(2)Standards. No person may install, construct, erect, maintain, or control any outdoor lighting or outdoor lighting fixture on a residential structure, or on its surrounding premises, which directly illuminates beyond the adjacent residential structure's property line, between sunset and sunrise. For the purposes of this section, adjacent property shall include all property within 360 degrees of the subject property, notwithstanding an intervening right-of-way. For the purposes of this section, property line shall be an invisible plane extending vertically at a 90-degree angle from ground level to a point above the height of the highest structure on either the subject property or the adjacent property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 108 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 50-480 is a standalone residential lighting article the county adopted after declaring that light trespass causes 'visual confusion' and 'sleep disruption' serious enough to be a public nuisance. ' The rule defines 'adjacent property' broadly as 'all property within 360 degrees of the subject property, notwithstanding an intervening right-of-way,' and treats the property line as a vertical plane running up to the height of the taller structure on either lot, so a security light aimed to spill onto a neighbor's yard, or across a street, is covered even if the fixture itself sits well inside the owner's lot.
It reaches one-family detached homes and duplexes, including their accessory structures, fences, walls and hedges. 00 for a fourth or later, with no opportunity to correct the violation before the penalty is levied. A sworn affidavit is required from the complainant before a citation issues. Appeals from a special magistrate's order go to circuit court under section 2-398.
Violations & Fines
An outdoor fixture on a residential structure that directly illuminates beyond the property line between sunset and sunrise violates section 50-480(b)(2). Civil penalties start at $50.00 and rise to $100.00, $250.00 and $500.00 for repeat violations within five years, with no correction period before the fine; a sworn complaint affidavit is required to trigger a citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my neighbor's security light legally shine onto my yard at night?
How much is the fine for a light-trespass violation?
Does this rule cover fences and hedges, not just light fixtures?
What do I need to do to file a complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Volusia County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Volusia County to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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