Tamarac, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Max at property line (single-family)
- 1.0 foot-candle
- Max at property line (multi-family)
- 2.0 foot-candles
- Max at property line (other districts)
- 3.0 foot-candles
- Measured
- 5 ft above ground at the line
- High-lumen fixtures
- full cut-off required above 900 lumens
- Photometric plan
- required for site plan approval
Summary
Tamarac's exterior lighting standards exist specifically to stop light trespass onto neighboring land, capping illumination at the property line at 1.0 foot-candle next to single-family homes, 2.0 foot-candles for multi-family districts, and 3.0 foot-candles everywhere else under the Land Development Code.
(1)Ensure exterior lighting does not adversely impact land uses on adjacent lands by minimizing light trespass, obtrusive light, and glare; ... Table 10-4.10: ... Minimum and Maximum Illumination Levels ... Zoning District Minimum Illumination in Vehicular Use Areas1 Maximum Illumination at Property Line2 Single-Family Residential (RE and R-1) 0.5 foot-candle 1.0 foot-candle. Multi-Family Residential (R-2 and R-3) 0.5 foot-candle 2.0 foot-candle All Other Districts 1.0 foot-candle 3.0 foot-candle
Full Breakdown
The Land Development Code's exterior lighting article states its purpose is to ensure lighting does not adversely impact adjacent land uses by minimizing light trespass, obtrusive light, and glare, while also protecting motorist safety and curtailing light pollution. That purpose is enforced numerically through Table 10-4.10: Minimum and Maximum Illumination Levels, which caps maximum illumination measured five feet above ground level at the property line at 1.0 foot-candle next to single-family residential (RE and R-1) property, 2.0 foot-candles next to multi-family residential (R-2 and R-3) property, and 3.0 foot-candles in all other districts.
The same table sets minimum illumination for vehicular use areas, measured at ground level, at 0.5 foot-candle in residential districts and 1.0 foot-candle elsewhere. Fixtures must also comply with glare controls: point light sources or bulbs cannot be directly visible from adjoining properties, flood lights must be focused on the task, fully shielded, and screened from adjacent properties to prevent light trespass, and any lamp emitting more than 900 lumens needs a full cut-off fixture with a beam angle no greater than 90 degrees. A lighting plan with photometrics is required for major and minor site plan approval, and an installation cannot go into permanent use until a registered engineer or architect certifies it has been field-tested and meets these standards.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the property-line illumination caps in Table 10-4.10, or installing an unshielded fixture that casts glare onto a neighbor's lot, is enforced as a Chapter 10 violation. Tamarac Code § 1-13's general penalty applies: a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, with each day the noncompliant fixture stays lit counted as a separate offense through code compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How bright can my outdoor lights be at my property line in Tamarac?
Can floodlights shine onto my neighbor's yard?
Is there a rule for very bright bulbs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tamarac
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tamarac to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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