A. Purpose
The purpose of this section is to reduce impacts of coastal lighting on the nesting and hatching of threatened and endangered sea turtles through restrictions, constraints and requirements to preserve and protect sea turtles and sea turtle inhabitants. To help do so, it is the policy of the city that no artificial light shall directly illuminate any area of the incorporated beaches of the city.
B. Applicability
1. General
a. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 below, the standards in this section shall apply to any coastal lighting activity in the city that has the potential to adversely impact sea turtles.
b. If an exterior lighting standard in this section conflicts with an exterior lighting standard in Section 155.5401, General Exterior Lighting Standards, the standard in this section shall govern.
2. Exception
The provisions contained in this section shall not apply where the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or other state agency with the appropriate authority has approved alternative lighting standards that conflict with the standards in this section. Such approval shall be in writing and detail the standards approved. Artificial light sources that are generated by lamps, bulbs, and other lighting sources approved for use by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall not constitute a violation of this section when properly shielded, mounted, and directed so that no filament, bulb or glowing lens is visible from the beach. Such lighting includes, but is not limited to:
a. Low pressure sodium (LPS) lamps of up to 35 watts;
b. Red, orange, or amber light emitting diodes (LEDs) consisting of true red, orange, or amber diodes (not filters);
c. True read neon lamps; and
d. Long wave lighting sources that produce light measuring more than 560 nanometers on a spectroscope.
C. Existing Beachfront Light and Development
All lighting of existing structures and associated grounds or facilities that can be seen from the beach shall comply with the following standards.
1. Existing artificial lights used to illuminate buildings or associated grounds or facilities shall be shielded or screened so they are not visible from the beach, or shall be turned off between sunset and sunrise during the nesting season of sea turtles (March 1 through October 31 of each year).
2. Lights that directly, indirectly, or cumulatively illuminate dune crosswalks in any areas seaward of the historic dune vegetation line shall be turned off between sunset and sunrise during nesting season of sea turtles (March 1 through October 31 of each year).
3. Low-profile luminaries may be used for security lighting if they are positioned and screened so they do not directly illuminate the beach.
4. Windows and glass doors—including those above the first floor of multistory structures—located within line-of-sight of the beach are required to be covered by a product or device that, when applied or installed, sufficiently reduces the transmittance of artificial light from within the building to shield any interior artificial light sources from directly illuminating the beach.
5. Existing exterior artificial lights shall be fitted with hoods, shielded, or screened so that their light sources do not directly illuminate the beach.
6. The screening or placement of hoods on artificial lights shall be consistent with any listing or labeling warnings, standards, requirements, or recommendations provided for the fixture in accordance with article 110-3 (b) of the National Electrical Code.
D. New Beachfront Lighting and Development
All lighting proposed as part of new development, including parking lots and dune walkovers, that can be seen from the beach shall comply with the following standards.
1. Floodlights, uplights, or spotlights used for decorative and accent purposes that are directly visible from the beach, or which indirectly or cumulatively illuminate the beach, are prohibited.
2. Wall-mounted light fixtures shall be fitted with hoods so the point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not directly visible from the beach.
3. Exterior light fixtures set on a base or pole shall not raise the source of light higher than 48 inches off the ground.
4. Only low intensity lighting shall be used to light parking areas, and light fixtures shall be positioned or shielded so that the light is cast downward and the light source is not visible from the beach and does not directly or indirectly illuminate the beach. Parking areas shall be located and designed to prevent vehicular headlights from directly or indirectly illuminating the beach. Vehicular lighting, parking area lighting, and roadway lighting shall be shielded from the beach through the use of ground-level barriers that do not interfere with marine turtle nesting or emergence of hatchlings, nor cause short or long-term damage to the beach and dune system.
5. Exterior lights used expressly for safety or security purposes shall be limited to the minimum number and configuration necessary for security and convenience. Lights designed to be activated only when approached (motion detectors) and switch off within two minutes duration are exempt if used for safety or security purposes.
6. Dune crosswalks, if lighted, shall utilize low-profile shielded luminaires.
7. Lights on balconies shall be fitted with hoods so they do not illuminate the beach.
8. Windows and glass doors—including those above the first floor of any multistory structures—located within line-of-sight of the beach are required to have tinted or filmed glass sufficient to shield interior lights and prevent them from illuminating the beach.
9. Temporary or security lighting of construction sites during the turtle nesting season shall be restricted so that illumination from the lights shall not spread the boundary of the property being developed, and in no case shall the lights illuminate the beach.
10. The screening or placement of hoods on artificial lights shall be consistent with any listing or labeling warnings, standards, requirements, or recommendations provided for the fixture in accordance with article 110-3 (b) of the National Electrical Code.
E. Streetlights and Lighting at Public Parks and Facilities
Streetlights and lighting at parks, government facilities, and publicly owned beach access areas shall be subject to the following standards.
1. Wherever practicable, streetlights shall be located so that the bulk of their illumination is directed away from the beach. Streetlights shall be equipped with shades or shields that minimize backlighting and reduce their visibility from the beach.
2. Lights at parks, government facilities, and publicly owned beach access points shall be shielded or shaded during the turtle nesting season (March 1 through October 31 of each year) so they re not visible from the beach.