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Santa Rosa County, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Beach lights off
After 9:00 p.m., May 1-Oct 31
Alternative
Hood or reposition away from beach
Window tint
45% or less transmittance
Goal
Light falls within property
Code section
LDC 3.05.07.B, D

Summary

The county's strongest light-trespass rule is on Navarre Beach: existing beach-visible outdoor lights must be turned off after 9:00 p.m. between May 1 and October 31, or hooded/repositioned so the light stays on the property and off the beach. Interior lights visible from the beach must be tinted or curtained.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Rosa County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

All lights shall be turned off after 9:00 p.m. between May 1 and October 31, of each year, or fitted with a hood or positioned so that the light sources or any reflective surfaces illuminated by such sources are not visible from the beach.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under LDC 3.05.07.D, existing structures with any light visible from Navarre Beach must comply as follows: all lights shall be turned off after 9:00 p.m. between May 1 and October 31 each year, or be fitted with a hood or positioned so the source and reflective surfaces are not visible from the beach. Where interior lights are visible on the beach, owners must take at least one measure - tinted window treatments (45% or less light transmittance), moving lamps away from windows, using blinds or curtains, or turning off unnecessary lights after 9:00 p.m. during nesting season. General LDC lighting rules require light to fall substantially within the property and prevent upward glow.

Violations & Fines

Beach-visible light-trespass violations of LDC 3.05.07 are Land Development Code violations subject to county fines and enforcement; off-beach glare is addressed as a nuisance or through site-plan review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the county limit my neighbor's bright lights inland?
Away from Navarre Beach there is no numeric light-trespass cap; spillover glare is handled through nuisance and site-design standards. LDC lighting rules aim to keep light substantially within the owner's property.
What must beachfront homeowners do at night?
During nesting season (May-October) turn off beach-visible lights after 9:00 p.m., or hood/reposition them, and screen interior lights with tinted glass, curtains, or blinds so they are not visible from the beach.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Santa Rosa County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDark Sky RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Santa Rosa County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa County to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview

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