Pembroke Pines, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Property-line cap
- 0.5 footcandles maximum
- Site-wide maximum
- 12 footcandles
- Site-wide minimum average
- 2 footcandles at grade
- Required hardware
- House side shields and reflectors
- Pole height limit
- 30 feet above grade
- Compliance proof
- Registered engineer/architect letter required
Summary
Pembroke Pines caps outdoor lighting at 0.5 footcandles measured at the property line of any project under Code of Ordinances § 155.686(D), and requires house-side shields and reflectors so light rays stay confined to the site instead of spilling onto neighbors.
(D) Illumination levels. The maximum illumination for a project shall be 12 f.c. with the minimum average illumination, at grade, to be not less than two f.c., average maintained over the site. The illumination level at the property line of any project shall be a maximum of 0.5 f.c. To avoid glare or spill light from encroaching onto adjacent properties, illumination shall be installed with house side shields and reflectors, and shall be maintained in such a manner as to confine light rays to the premises of the building or project.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-61: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2056, passed 12-11-25).
Full Breakdown
686(D), part of the city's general lighting standards, sets a maximum illumination of 12 footcandles for a project overall, with a minimum average of two footcandles maintained at grade across the site. 5 footcandles. To hold that line, the code requires that fixtures be installed with house side shields and reflectors specifically to avoid glare or spill light from encroaching onto adjacent properties, and lighting must be maintained so that light rays are confined to the premises of the building or project. 685, which directs exterior lighting to avoid creating hot spots, glare, obtrusive light, light pollution, light trespass, and visual nuisance to surrounding properties and uses. 686 is required before the lighting goes into permanent use.
Violations & Fines
Installing or maintaining outdoor lighting that exceeds the 0.5 footcandle property-line cap, or omitting the required house-side shields, is a code violation reviewed at site plan and building permit stages by the Planning and Economic Development Department. Because § 155.686 sets no standalone fine, enforcement defaults to the citywide general penalty at § 10.99: up to a $500 fine, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can spill onto my neighbor's property in Pembroke Pines?
What must a property owner install to prevent light trespass?
Who signs off that a lighting installation meets the trespass limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pembroke Pines
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pembroke Pines to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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