§ 12-116. Standards for exterior artificial lighting.

To prevent exterior artificial lighting from disorienting sea turtles and illuminating sea turtle nesting areas or nearby areas within the jurisdictional boundaries of Monroe County or adjacent waters during the nesting season, the following measures shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the negative effects of new or existing artificial lighting:

(1)

Exterior artificial light fixtures within direct line-of-sight of the beach shall be designed, positioned, modified, or removed so that:

a.

The point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not directly visible from the beach; and/or

b.

The area within the jurisdictional boundaries is not directly, or indirectly illuminated; and/or

c.

The area within the jurisdictional boundaries is not cumulatively illuminated.

(2)

Measures such as, but not limited to, the following shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the negative effects of new or existing artificial beachfront lighting through appropriate design:

a.

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

b.

Replacement of fixtures having an exposed light source with fixtures containing recessed light sources or shields;

c.

Replacement of traditional light bulbs with yellow bug type bulbs not exceeding 25 watts or low-pressure sodium vapor lamps;

d.

Replacement of nondirectional fixtures with completely shielded directional fixtures that point down and away from the beach;

e.

Replacement of fixtures having transparent of translucent coverings with fixtures having opaque shields covering an arc of at least 180 degrees and extending an appropriate distance below the bottom edge of the fixture on the seaward side so that the light source or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not visible from the beach;

f.

Replacement of pole lamps with low-profile, low-level luminaries no higher than 48 inches off the ground such as low-mounted wall fixtures, low bollards, and ground-level fixtures, so that the light source or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not visible from the beach;

g.

Replacement of incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity lighting with the lowest wattage low-pressure sodium vapor lighting possible for the specific application;

h.

Planting or improvement of landscape vegetation in compliance with the land development regulations (section 118-7 environmental design criteria) between the light source and the beach to screen light from the beach;

i.

Construction of ground level barriers in compliance with the land development regulations (section 118-7 environmental design criteria) to shield light sources from the beach;

j.

Limitation of exterior lights used expressly for safety or security purposes. Any such lighting allowed must conform to the measures set forth in this section in order to reduce or eliminate negative effects on sea turtles;

k.

Permanent removal of all floodlights, uplights, or spotlights used for decorative or accent purposes;

l.

Permanent removal or disabling of any fixture that cannot be brought into compliance with the provisions of these standards; and

m.

Shielding or modification of any existing lighted sign pursuant to the land development regulations (section 118-6, environmental design criteria) such that it is not directly visible from the beach.

(3)

Upon written notification by the code compliance director, the mayor may impose an annual "lights out" order to residents and property owners for lights in areas of unincorporated Monroe County during the Sea Turtle nesting season from April 15th through October 31st. The "lights out" order shall indicate the importance of sea turtle nesting and shall direct residents and property owners to tum their lights out between the hours of dusk until dawn. Further, the mayor may request utility companies to shield or tum off lights in designated areas for the same purpose.

(Code 1979, § 13-63; Ord. No. 8-1994, § 3; Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1; Ord. No. 035-2012, § 1 ; Ord. No. 008-2013, § 1 )