Standards for Exterior Artificial Lighting

To prevent the illumination of jurisdictional boundaries or adjacent waters by exterior artificial lighting during the nesting season, the following steps must be taken to mitigate or eliminate the adverse effects of both new and existing artificial lighting:

(a) Exterior artificial light fixtures that are within direct line-of-sight of the beach should be designed, positioned, modified, or removed in a manner that satisfies the following conditions:

01. The point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture should not be directly visible from the beach.

02. The area within the jurisdictional boundaries should not be directly or indirectly illuminated.

03. The cumulative illumination within the jurisdictional boundaries should be minimized or eliminated.

(b) To address the negative impacts of new or existing artificial lighting on the beachfront, the following measures, among others, should be implemented through appropriate design:

01.  Positioning fixtures so that the point source of light or any reflective surface is no longer visible from the beach or completely eliminated.

02.  Replacing fixtures with exposed light sources using recessed light sources or shields.

03.  Substituting traditional light bulbs with yellow bug-type bulbs not exceeding twenty-five (25) watts or low-pressure sodium vapor lamps.

04.  Replacing non-directional fixtures with fully shielded directional fixtures that direct light downward and away from the beach.

05.  Installing fixtures with opaque shields covering an arc of at least one hundred eighty (180) degrees and extending below the bottom edge of the fixture on the seaward side, ensuring that the light source or any reflective surface is not visible from the beach.

06.  Substituting pole lamps with low-profile, low-level luminaries positioned no higher than forty-eight (48) inches off the ground, such as low-mounted wall fixtures, low bollards, or ground-level fixtures, to prevent visibility of the light source or any reflective surface from the beach.

07.  Replacing incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity lighting with the lowest wattage, low-pressure sodium vapor lighting suitable for the specific application.

08.  Implementing landscape vegetation in compliance with the land development regulations (chapter 9.5-345 environmental design criteria) between the light source and the beach to create a screen that blocks light from reaching the beach.

09.  Constructing ground-level barriers as specified in the land development regulations (chapter 9.5-345 environmental design criteria) to shield light sources from the beach.

10.  Restricting the use of exterior lights solely for safety or security purposes, ensuring that such lighting adheres to the measures outlined in this section to mitigate or eliminate negative impacts on sea turtles.

11.  Permanently remove all floodlights, up-lights, or spotlights used for decorative or accent purposes.

12.  Permanently removing or turning off any fixture that cannot be brought into compliance with the requirements stated in these standards.

13.  Shielding or modifying any existing lighted sign in accordance with the land development regulations (chapter 9.5-345 environmental design criteria) to ensure that it is not directly visible from the beach.