Barrier Island Lighting Ordinance
As of As of January 1, 2018, all artificial lighting on Pensacola Beach (pre-existing and new construction) must adhere to the lighting ordinance and/or be converted to sea turtle friendly lighting. Under the ordinance, exterior lights visible from the beach must:
Keep it Low: Fixtures and light sources should be mounted as low as safely possible and utilize the lowest wattage/lumens for the intended purpose.
Keep It Long: Bulbs and fixtures should produce long wavelength light (<560nm) without the use of filters or lenses. Long wavelength bulbs appear red or amber in color. Yellow bug bulbs may be marketed as wildlife friendly, but generally are not the right wavelength.
Keep It Shielded: Light sources should be enclosed in a full-cut off fixture. Appropriate fixtures should shield the light from being visible from the beach and reduce cumulative glow as much as possible.
For more provisions and exceptions, read the full ordinance here.
A number of local and chain retailers carry appropriate fixtures. They may be marketed as Wildlife-Friendly, Sea Turtle-Friendly or Dark Sky. For a list of certified and approved fixtures, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website here.