Palm Bay, FL Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt lighting
- Low-wattage seasonal/Christmas-style lights
- Window
- Thanksgiving through January 15
- Applies
- All zoning districts
Summary
Palm Bay exempts seasonal decorative lighting, like typical low-wattage Christmas lights, from its outdoor lighting standards in every zoning district from Thanksgiving through January 15.
(Exception: seasonal decorative lighting (i.e., Christmas Lights) using typical low-wattage incandescent or LED lamps shall be permitted in all zoning districts from the Thanksgiving holiday through the 15th of January.
(2) The use of Metal Halide (MH), Light Emitting Diode (LED), Quartz Light (OL), and High Intensity Discharge (HID), when properly shielded is permitted for all exterior site lighting. Other types of lamps not listed shall be considered as a part of the permitting process.
(3) High pressure sodium (HPS) lighting is prohibited for building and security lighting.
(4) The use of low pressure sodium (LPS) lighting is prohibited in all zoning districts.
(5) The undue lighting of the night sky by means of searchlights and similar devices without prior approval from the City Manager or their designee is prohibited.
(6) Neon lighting, LED strip and tracer lighting and other types of lighting used to illuminate the outline of a structure or storefront window system is prohibited.
(7) No lighting fixture shall produce a lumen output exceeding one thousand (1,000) lumens in any given area.
(8) Poles and support structures used for outdoor lighting shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height. The exception shall permit for required lighting of all communication towers or tall structures as mandated by the FAA and FCC. (Ord. 2024-33, passed 9-19-24)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-41: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2026-13, passed 5-21-26).
Full Breakdown
§ 177.040(C)(1) of the Land Development Code carves out seasonal decorative lighting, the code cites Christmas lights as an example, using typical low-wattage incandescent or LED lamps from the general outdoor lighting standards. The exception runs in all zoning districts from the Thanksgiving holiday through January 15, letting residents and businesses display unshielded holiday lights that would otherwise need to meet the citywide shielding and lumen limits for the rest of the year.
Violations & Fines
Seasonal lighting left up or unshielded past January 15 falls back under the general outdoor lighting standard requiring shielding to zero lumens at the property line, per § 177.040(C)(1).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I keep holiday lights up in Palm Bay?
Do holiday lights need to be shielded like other outdoor lighting in Palm Bay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Bay
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Bay to another location·View the Florida sign regulations overview
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Holiday Displays in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brevard County handle holiday displays.