St. Petersburg, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- multi-family/nonresidential abutting residential
- Required option
- setback OR house-side shield
- 1-2 unit abutting rule
- shield and/or angle fixture
- Full cut-off required
- walkway/parking/canopy/wall lights
- Grandfather cutoff
- fixtures installed before 9-10-2007
- Permit needed
- poles over 10 ft
Summary
Where a multi-family or nonresidential property abuts a home or residential zone, City Code § 16.40.070.4.A.2 requires outdoor light fixtures to either sit back the minimum distance from the lot line or use house-side shielding, and lights on one- or two-unit lots abutting another home must be shielded or angled to keep light off the neighbor's property.
Setback or shielding requirement. Where a multi-family dwelling of three or more units or a nonresidential use abuts property that is residentially zoned or has a dwelling of one or two units, all outdoor lighting fixtures shall be setback the minimum distance from the nearest lot line or "house-side shielding" shall be used on the residential property side of the lighting fixture as shown in the following diagram. A house-side shield consists of a visor or shielding panel that attaches to a lighting fixture. ... Where a dwelling of one or two units abuts a property that is residentially zoned or has a dwelling of one or two units, light fixtures must be shielded and/or angled to prevent light trespass on abutting property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).
Full Breakdown
St. A), and a development permit is required only for poles taller than 10 feet. 2 sets the shielding rule for security and site lighting: where a multi-family building of three or more units, or a nonresidential use, sits next to a residentially zoned lot or a one- or two-unit dwelling, every outdoor light fixture must either be set back the minimum distance shown in the code's diagram from the nearest lot line, or carry house-side shielding, a visor or shielding panel attached to the fixture on the side facing the residential property.
The rule applies to both pole-mounted lights and fixtures mounted on a building wall or roofline. Where two one- or two-unit homes sit next to each other, the standard is simpler but mandatory: fixtures must be shielded and/or angled to prevent light trespass on abutting property. 1), which stops the light source from projecting upward or sideways. 5 requires it to be shielded, redirected, replaced or removed, and any new use, structure or change of use on the property triggers full compliance.
Violations & Fines
A security or site light that lacks the required setback, house-side shield, or full cut-off housing, or a legal nonconforming fixture producing visible glare onto a neighboring residence or public right-of-way, is a Code violation; POD can require the fixture be shielded, redirected, replaced or removed to eliminate the nuisance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. Petersburg require security lights to be shielded from neighbors?
What about lighting between two houses?
My outdoor light was installed before 2007 and glares onto my neighbor's yard: is that allowed?
Do I need a permit to add a new security light?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Petersburg
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Petersburg to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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