If you own or manage a waterfront home in Aqualane Shores, turtle-season lighting is not optional. It protects nesting sea turtles, reduces legal and reputational risk, and supports neighborhood standards that uphold long-term property value. Naples and Collier County enforce lighting rules each year from May 1 to October 31, with a 9:00 p.m. to sunrise curfew for lights visible from the beach. The good news: with a focused checklist and a few smart upgrades, you can keep your property safe, elegant, and compliant.
Why turtle-season lighting compliance matters
Turtle hatchlings navigate by moonlight over the Gulf. Artificial light can disorient them. Naples codifies that protection with rules that require lights visible from the beach to be turned off by 9:00 p.m. or modified so the light source is not visible from the shoreline during nesting season per City of Naples code Sec. 52-61 and seasonal guidance. Collier County applies similar standards, including interior-light measures where beach glow is visible as outlined by the county.
Beyond compliance, well-designed low, shielded lighting delivers a refined nighttime look, preserves dark-sky views, and signals careful stewardship to future buyers. Proactive management also reduces the chance of citations during in-season inspections.
Exterior lighting that meets dark-beach standards
Fixtures and bulbs
- Choose long, low, shielded. Use true long-wavelength amber, orange, or red lamps that emit primarily at wavelengths of 560 nm or higher. Avoid filtered white or “bug” bulbs that still emit short wavelengths per FWC criteria and certification.
- Prefer the lowest lumen output that still meets safety needs; dimmable drivers help fine-tune brightness. Keep color temperatures warm-amber, not white.
- Where higher intensity is required for safety, low-pressure sodium with proper shielding is an allowed approach under county guidance see Collier County requirements.
- Replace glowing globe or exposed-bulb fixtures with full-cutoff or baffled models so the light source is not visible from the beach per City code and FWC’s “long, low, shielded” principles.
Placement and shielding
- Aim light downward and away from the shoreline. Add factory louvers, visors, or custom hoods to block the lamp and lens from seaward sightlines FWC criteria.
- Mount fixtures as low as practical. Lower heights reduce spill and glare onto reflective surfaces.
- Use narrow optics and tight cutoff angles for path and step lights. Avoid broad floods and uplights that can project skyward or beachward.
- Add timers and motion sensors set to the shortest practical duration so lights are normally off after 9:00 p.m. and only activate when needed. Position sensors so passing wildlife or distant activity does not trigger beachward glow.
Docks, lifts, and seawall lighting
- Replace open fixtures with shielded, amber marine lights. Aim illumination downward to the deck surface and landward if possible.
- Boat lifts: use low-lumen, amber task lights directed away from open water. Disable or dim decorative blue or white accent lighting during season.
- Underwater lights: switch off for the season or replace with compliant solutions confirmed not to be visible from the beach. Underwater glow can scatter and create visible halos.
- Add cutoff shields to piling and cap lights. Confirm from the beach line at night that the lens is hidden and no hotspot is visible.
Landscape and pool areas
- Path lights: choose low, louvered fixtures with opaque shields. Keep spacing tight and wattage low to avoid bright pools of light.
- Garden accents: avoid uplights and backlighting that hit palm fronds, walls, or water features visible from the shoreline. Favor subtle, downcast grazing in courtyards away from the beach.
- Pool and spa: use compliant amber options, dim down, or switch off after 9:00 p.m. Shield any enclosure or cage-mounted lights and aim away from the beach.
- Reflective surfaces: glass railings, water, and light-colored pavers can reflect light to the beach. Reduce output and adjust angles so illuminated reflections are not visible seaward. City and county enforcement actions often cite visible sources or reflections as violations see county guidance and City code.
Interior light control to prevent beachside glow
Windows and coverings
- After sunset, close draperies, shades, or blinds on rooms facing the beach. If light is still visible outside, implement at least one of the county’s measures: add tint, move lamps away from windows, or turn off nonessential lights per Collier County.
- Consider professionally applied window film to reduce visible light transmittance where permitted. Check City of Naples permitting or any HOA conditions before specifying percent levels, as numeric thresholds vary by jurisdiction.
Room-by-room considerations
- Living rooms and great rooms: relocate lamps and sconces away from beach-facing windows. Use dimmers and amber lamps. Aim recessed cans with tight trims and lower output.
- Kitchens: under-cabinet task lights can replace ceiling floods. Keep island pendants on dimmers and close shades after sunset.
- Upper floors and stairwells: these often project light. Install blackout shades or motorized treatments and reduce lumen output.
- Bathrooms and bedrooms: switch to amber night lighting for overnight use and keep window coverings closed after dark.
Guest and household guidance
- Post a simple “lights out by 9:00 p.m.” reminder near beach-facing doors during season.
- Include a one-page house card for guests and staff that outlines window-covering routines and which switches remain off after dark.
- Train weekly rental or estate staff on settings for dimmers, timers, and motion controls.
Plan and document for smooth compliance
Seasonal prep and inspection routine
- Late April: complete a night audit from the beach line. Note any fixture or reflection visible seaward and log by location.
- Set automation for season mode: program timers to off by 9:00 p.m., confirm motion sensors, and verify scenes on whole-home systems.
- Schedule a mid-season night walk every two weeks to catch shifted fixtures, vegetation changes, or new reflections.
Contractor and property manager coordination
- Share this checklist with your electrician, landscaper, and dock contractor. Specify long-wavelength amber lamps and full-cutoff fixtures that meet wildlife criteria FWC certification resource.
- For new work within 300 feet of mean high water, ensure lighting plans meet City of Naples requirements and include shielding details and fixture cutsheets City code Sec. 52-61.
- Ask property managers to verify nightly curfews and conduct periodic after-dark checks.
Recordkeeping and proof of compliance
- Maintain a fixture inventory with model numbers, lamp specs, and locations.
- Keep before-and-after night photos from the beach line that show the light source is not visible.
- Save programming screenshots for timers and control systems. This file supports good-faith efforts during any inspection.
Addressing violations quickly
- Assess: confirm the exact fixture or interior source visible from the beach.
- Correct: shield, re-aim, dim, or replace with compliant amber fixtures. For interior glow, close coverings or move lamps.
- Confirm: repeat a night audit from the beach line to verify results.
- Document: log changes, photos, and dates. If you need technical input on compliant products, contact FWC Wildlife Lighting staff at the email listed on their program page FWC guidance.
Preseason-to-postseason checklist
Before season starts
- Walk your property after dark and inventory any light visible from the beach City code reference.
- Order true amber (≥560 nm) lamps and full-cutoff fixtures; avoid filtered whites FWC certification list.
- Add shielding, louvers, or hoods to balcony, dock, and path lights. Lower mounting heights where feasible.
- Program timers and motion sensors to shut off by 9:00 p.m. and limit activation windows.
- Review interior window coverings; add tint or blackout shades if glow is visible Collier County guidance.
- Brief household members, guests, and staff on seasonal rules and nightly routines.
During season (May 1–Oct 31)
- Lights out by 9:00 p.m. for any source visible from the beach, or ensure it is fully shielded so the light source is not visible City of Naples.
- Close beach-facing curtains and shades at dusk; move lamps away from windows.
- Conduct a night audit every two weeks from the beach line and correct new issues promptly.
- On docks and lifts, keep accent and underwater lighting off. Use only shielded, low-lumen amber task lights as needed.
- Remove or secure beach furniture and obstructions nightly to keep the path clear for nesting and hatchlings City guidance.
After season
De-brief with your contractor and property manager. Note what worked and what needs improvement for next year.
Replace any temporary fixes with permanent compliant fixtures ahead of spring.
Update your inventory and photo log and store control-system settings for quick reactivation next May.
Protect wildlife while enhancing property value
A compliant, dark-beach lighting plan is both stewardship and strategy. It safeguards sea turtles, reduces enforcement risk, and elevates how your home presents after dark. If you are planning repairs, upgrades, or a redevelopment in Aqualane Shores, our team can help coordinate property-specific lighting readiness alongside your broader real estate goals. Schedule a confidential consultation with The Silvers Group to align compliance, design, and market value.
FAQs
When is turtle season in Naples?
- May 1 through October 31. Lighting visible from the beach must be off by 9:00 p.m. or fully shielded so the source is not visible during this window City guidance and code Sec. 52-61.
What counts as a violation?
- Any light source or reflective surface visible from the beach, or light that casts a visible shadow on the beach. Common issues include unshielded balcony lights, landscape uplights, and interior lamps near windows Collier County guidance.
Do interior lights matter?
- Yes. If interior light is visible from the beach, you must close coverings or use measures like tint, moving lamps, or turning off lights after dark Collier County.
Which products are considered wildlife-friendly?
- Fixtures and lamps that are long-wavelength (≥560 nm), low output, and fully shielded. Use the FWC Wildlife Lighting Certification list and install so the source is not visible from the beach FWC criteria.
What if my project is within 300 feet of the shoreline?
- New development and substantial repairs in this zone must submit compliant lighting plans under City of Naples code Sec. 52-61. Work with your design team to specify shielded, certified fixtures and provide documentation with permits City code.
Who enforces the rules and who can help?
- The City of Naples enforces in-city rules, and Collier County conducts seasonal inspections on county beaches. For technical questions, FWC’s Wildlife Lighting program provides guidance and contacts City info and FWC.
Can I keep security lights on all night?
- Only if they are necessary, low-lumen, long-wavelength, and fully shielded so the source is not visible from the beach. Use motion sensors and short timers to limit duration Collier County.
