Manatee County, FL Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)
Key Facts
- Neighbor spillover limit
- 0.2 foot-candles
- Street right-of-way limit
- 1.5 foot-candles
- Shielding
- Full oblique shielding required
- Driver glare
- Prohibited
- Code section
- Manatee County LDC 806.4
Summary
In unincorporated Manatee County, outdoor lighting fixtures must have full oblique shielding so a property's lights do not directly illuminate a neighbor. Total spillover onto another property with a lighting-protected area may not exceed 0.2 foot-candles (1.5 foot-candles onto street rights-of-way).
The total illumination caused by all of a property's outdoor lighting ... shall not illuminate another property in excess of the following limits: 0.2 foot-candles on property with outdoor lighting protected areas but not including the street rights-of-way. 1.5 foot-candles on street rights-of-way.
Full Breakdown
Manatee County Land Development Code Section 806 (Outdoor Lighting) controls glare and light trespass onto neighboring property. Under Section 806.4, unless exempted, all outdoor lighting fixtures must have full oblique shielding so a property's light sources do not directly illuminate another property that has an outdoor lighting protected area. Lights must not impair drivers' vision. The total spillover illumination from all of a property's outdoor lighting may not illuminate another property in excess of 0.2 foot-candles on property with outdoor lighting protected areas (excluding street rights-of-way), and 1.5 foot-candles on street rights-of-way. Fixture height and shielding are also regulated. The rules protect the visually calm residential character of neighborhoods. Cities within the county set their own lighting standards.
Violations & Fines
Lighting that spills more than 0.2 foot-candles onto a neighboring protected property, or unshielded fixtures glaring onto adjacent property, violates Section 806 and is subject to code enforcement correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light can spill onto my neighbor's yard in Manatee County?
Do outdoor lights have to be shielded?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manatee County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Manatee County to another location·View the Florida outdoor lighting overview
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