Item I2 I2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE �� i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
May 15, 2024
Agenda Item Number: I2
2023-2414
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Planning & Environmental Resources
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Julie Cheon
n/a
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: A Request for Approval of Permission to Advertise a Public Hearing
to Consider an Ordinance Amending Monroe County Code of Ordinances Chapter 12, Article V. ("Sea
Turtle Protection"), In Order To Update Sea Turtle Protections for Consistency and Alignment With the
Guidelines Outlined In Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62b-55 ("Model Lighting Ordinance for
Marine Turtle Protection").
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Monroe County Planning and Environmental Resources Department - Environmental Resources Office
professional staff are currently proposing the attached draft amendments to Monroe County Code of
Ordinances Chapter 12, Article V. ("Sea Turtle Protection"), to update sea turtle protections for
consistency and alignment with the guidelines outlined in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62b-55
(Model Lighting Ordinance for Marine Turtle Protection).
On December 15, 2020, Chapter 6213-55 of the Florida Administrative Code was updated to incorporate
the latest advancements in lighting technology and enhanced best management practices, with the aim
of significantly reducing incidents of sea turtle disorientation. The proposed amendments to Chapter 12,
Article V. are designed to align our local ordinance with these updated state guidelines, ensuring
continued protection for marine turtles in our region.
In order to comply with the Monroe County Code(s) a public hearing will be advertised and scheduled
for the next appropriate BOCC meeting.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
On April 20, 1994, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance No. 008-
2461
1994 adopting and enacting new provisions for the protection of sea turtles,providing definitions,
prohibiting certain activities disruptive to sea turtles,providing special lighting restrictions during
nesting season,providing standards for mechanical beach cleaning,providing for prevention of animal
predation of sea turtles,providing penalties,providing for conflicting provisions of law,providing for
severability in the event of partial invalidity,providing for applicability throughout the unincorporated
areas of Monroe County, directing that copies of the ordinance be filed with the Department of
Environmental Protection and the Department of State,providing for an effective date and for
codification.
On March 11, 1998 the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance No. 010-
1998, amending Ordinance No. 008-1994, the Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance, to include revisions that
were intended to clarify and standardize the regulations,providing definitions,prohibiting certain
activities disruptive to sea turtles,providing special lighting restrictions during nesting season,
providing standards for mechanical beach cleaning,providing for prevention of animal predation of sea
turtles,providing penalties,providing for conflicting provisions of law,providing for severability in the
event of partial invalidity,providing for applicability throughout the unincorporated areas of Monroe
County, directing that copies of the ordnance be filed with the Department of Environmental Protection
and the Department of State,providing for an effective date and for codification.
On February 20, 2013, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance No. 008-
2013 amending Monroe County Code of Ordinances Section 12-116,providing for the mayor to impose
a "Lights Out"restriction for areas of unincorporated Monroe County.
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval to advertise.
DOCUMENTATION:
ARTICLE V.—SEA—TURTLE—PROTECTION-2024 Proposed Changes Strikethrough Underline
For at.docx
Staff Report 2024-065 Request to Advertise BOCC 2024_FINAL.docx
DRAFT ONLY -Draft Lighting Ordinance.pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
2462
Chapter 12- ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION
ARTICLE V.SEA TURTLE PROTECTION
ARTICLE V. SEA TURTLE PROTECTION
Sec. 12-114. Definitions.
The following words,terms and phrases,when used in this article,shall have the meanings ascribed to them
in this section,except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Adjacent waters means waters abutting a nesting area and extending 300 feet to either side of it,and out to
either 300 yards offshore or the limits of the property line,whichever is further.
Artificial light or artificial lighting means the light emanating from any manmade or man-controlled device.
Beach means the zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the mean low-water line to
the place where there is a marked change in material or physiographic form,or to the line of permanent
vegetation,usually the effective limit of storm waves.
Beach berm means a bare,sandy shoreline with a mound or ridge of unconsolidated sand that is immediately
landward of,and usually parallel to,the shoreline and beach.The sand is calcareous material that is the remains of
marine organisms such as corals,algae and molluscs.The berm may include forested,coastal ridges and may be
colonized by hammock vegetation.
�.�•Fk�-. �i�d•�•• ... .romr:!-I�r�....t� :^.�--'I ,��.,.,�.�.p I�a ,...^ ., �7�-�. ..� :.:�.�.d; �,�„' .a-, :.•;•Ir...
Cumulatively i ` a trr�ibl means•i•4444*' L.f.gb El-2In lea--numerous artificial light sources that as a
� IV { FV9i 1 ( f be seen 1 �kfllB1 r fryf V„f r+[�kf"� i x f I fryf f,?+3+- �4,'4-i l...the nesting� fry (1?.
group `� � `� �h-"
Daylight hours means the locally effective time period between sunrise and sunset.
We t'lZ tPisible fTleans gI22yin 1=3'� xi2122 � 2l reflectors of an of tificia e
�g l] 7y C n ,Sb, r,,tkf"�l"�in 1 f V, fJf"f? ff"1,,,,,"tlle lle,,,til]E[ Ckf�f�'.1
f 1 1 l" f e"ve 1.
1 fi.oPP4,:ntCft It"Rn mean^"...the inability 2El]2t(Jl1if-g lBf adult sea turtles to lPf ff'fl[. 17f lP170''f"...y tlP [."l� lB(ejfl,,,,,,,
PI i ns e
full�Cf.. C� (k�..L'N? fT7f"�� � fixture��!f.C'"l �k �'C.r. "lC1f f�".l,,t f"f"l[.�k y C1..;.f f'f"l[.f'l....,.ens�+and l P 7�k l{EU,.f'{",f l f':+{...,�.that[. does„t�.",not
7f,f fT7ft fE%"lt....c fr,tf f"JfV..tflBf"l �k"JCxVf, �k horizontal i7 �kf"lf�....cB(�ktf�l...,.at t"lf, "DC1ttlBfT7 (B t"lf, fxtfVf f,! �... f ,"ltff"l',d fxtfVf e„
c cBf"lr"Ftf fV(tf d...ff"l such fT7jf"lf"¢fnf that f"lC"f fir 1t..fnfT7fttfnq„� 7`f t "f. fxtfVf f.A giffigir
f' f'fTlent or indirectly "7y f g b.f tion..or refraction ffIorn an`�f.,.1:�7 t g C'!I"l 1fd i.irnL,iire, is 17f lxlf�.(., S,.r above ]'[1 as
1 �f 1 1 P f
u �� I �f�l at l:. . ..
c fnanf fac tfdrf�f ckfrytf�.f�rl<<�fryc�....by i�bc�tcx�rlfryt<<c plan asp certified by t�so� ��t�a�r�* ..
I C II SRN l?IC?C..f fJ f '.. f tffl"x Yf tf f"P? (lPf t. �, f' fill P Vf,f x T fJlornontr „f r.a
. f,f V(t f l f"f ,f V c "l �k f T7�k f"l f"l f f t"l�k t t
E"llBl2.,2"' 2L L2flectors.of the fi to e are c,l.sfTl212 2l``f..(„ove f'd by�D C bl7a1d2.JTlatf'�"f f�,,,,i t2 Or event there f l..%f"I"Y f"7eillg
ckire"ltly vNil,�le frcsrn the ne.,t<ntx aL.nu�a l]y , <<ac tE.u�,�k 71t.2 t"lf f���� ry ! elding 2.
.:...V....2..E.f.L^..'..`�..
Hatchling means any species of marine turtle,within or outside of a nest,that has recently hatched from an
egg.
Indirectly 4uwjn . virile means J..igbt l-efl.ec tee (I:orn a t„1rxv�illt;f'..If��rf�� t.�..1aMp,t',Igb1 ,gL l-eflec tor of an
fc f�i f��? � directly „6Vt can ylf� sf�f��afl..�'�7y�if� l„tl,1�f f Vf f �t�if"�l�ff V„11 af2yrl�! ^.afCf ,.. „ ¢"t ,cxfrfcL ��!�fc: ¢..,cxfrfc°�'...�, f�c�tc,,.fff�ct vf�f� f ��'
q. tin x �"f'.y..t.� IVY{ W9i F car t4f.- g h'�.a
..4�..1.... —sour,ee-j-4 '..I^ . _ '. ... a.:.q.y�v+� ...�..I&ems...:rrcrr--.:yr✓zx q-c. rrv:
Monroe County,Florida,Code of Ordinances Created: 2021-12-09 10:24:50 [EST]
(Supp.No.24,Update 1)
Page 1 of 8
2463
Jurisdictional boundaries,sea turtle protection, means the area on contiguous land within 300 feet of an
identified or potential nesting area.
.� '1' ��.. L 612 I.. d ..Il\Ljv�':t.... k .... i" .pry �0 IC�NiC�VW/G6Pvl?iICtN1 fTlf � '..ft "lt'(iVf't. �'fvtrtv,...:`��xt�} flfTl..lPf t�f�^at�'f rif"11.�...ri 7,f�'fl'C'...`v/l!riVf� p:'a.fl xC"l� 7P: lP`v/l! 1�!...
Mechanical beach cleaning means any mechanical means by which debris, including, but not restricted to,
trash, litter,seaweed or seagrass wrack, is removed from the beach.
Nest means the area in and around a place in which sea turtle eggs are naturally deposited or relocated
beneath the sediments of the beach.
Nesting area means both identified nesting areas and potential nesting areas.
Nesting area, identified, means any area where sea turtles have been or are currently nesting,and the
adjacent beach or other intertidal areas used for access by the turtles.
Nesting area,potential, means any l. -. i,n omlala a2 �,y�„��tx�.,tat���l 2L v2Lt 2�2(
4ses arya, tr a..�.� �:.���a �.. wrri and x:(e"sillle to nestingffnf a fv.,tflf[ f?r s .a
..
..I =e. .9:: 1......, ....9146 -
Nesting season means the period from April 15 through October 31 of each year.
Permitted agent of the state means any qualified individual,group or organization possessing a permit from
the Department of Environmental Protection x byt ry I r<< a I �:., a, Wildlife M� ,,��u,atio, ('rrmis,.io to
conduct activities related to sea turtle protection and conservation.
Sea turtle means any specimen belonging to the species Caretta caretta(loggerhead turtle),Chelonia mydas
(green turtle), Dermochelys coriacea(leatherback turtle),Eretmochelys imbricate (hawksbill turtle)or any other
marine turtle using the county beaches as a nesting habitat.
tl.��....i.. 4a..L.L...TI
., ..... .q..r.pc-4, .eq. I, . ,.. , �u .....I ,). r ,
S,rrlc.:a a,,�, �� va..: ,t I (v..,o,a ( f ( t,'f a , kev(e fitted ov,:.a ligbt .... that , o(LA.. ,the .i.gb..
. ry k
,lPf.uf(f�if l.Sf�l"1 7f�ffv x„>f�f�fv vP. f, �x a7,af Vf�f ,t„afvl�ffvt��„afvrf(v!v� f�.f ffv tla fvf�,tffltx aff�a afvl� �7f P^vf�fvt, tlf� ftrlt fflBfTl aff vvE,.x.
p V... ' f lBm the ne,,tff"g of�'a.,".
�",,,kl �I.V�TIV.v,E 6I�u"I... �u"I,I� I...
Tinted glass means any glass that:
(1) Has been treated to achieve an industry-approved, inside-to-outside light transmittance value of 45
percent or less(such transmittance is measured as the percentage of visible light that is transmitted
through the glass);
(2) Has a minimum five-year warranty for the level of light transmittance specified in subsection (1)of this
definition;and
(3) Has performance claims that are supported by approved testing procedures and documentation.
Wildlite lighti22 M2a2 2l tMu;1,j„a1 IigI,�.fng Li tw es and...bulb,,that minimize,,the fm:.netxa ive affe(;:t,to
of to-nal behav'im-,of f ,r r ," r " e following(Lite'lij a�v',IV,.'„,.
t"l f? P",l ., ..,�f�,t f f"l�x..,.a f"l l'i "l a t'.( "l f f"l[.; ;,� a t f 1 f"t 0',�,a f"l l'i l,x t"l f�f wildlife,f f� .,
4f� 14l12 lit'„b't' N mounted a,Jov/v to t.�'fe gl- 'u.nd x floor a, Iom(tk(a4,rle t1,m6ut„1, t1,2.. 2f:,(;;.i
ar,r �lP� fT lPflf tfJl'� ua!all fixu:a ,:,r low bollaf"dr,r jf d gl-of1f"V.d-level fixu f"f'r,.i;.
4a� 4..1 e l ume ,emitted by 122 lit„I,� am the minimal �egE i.I� d fm the intended jk 1l, i(atioJI.
Created: 2021-12-09 10:24:50 [EST]
(Supp.No.24,Update 1)
Page 2 of 8
2464
�1�]g �igbt �g�-ce is contained within a full cgt:gff 2�- fixture sgch that no igbt is brojdcj,,t
above a horizontal ��2��D2 �n� ��22 2oint ,ource of igL 2�2� �ny Leflective surfaces of the fixture are not
' (Code 1979,51]'61; Ord. No.8'1994 51;Ord. No. 10-1998 51)
Sec. 12-115' Prohibition of activities disruptive to sea turtles.
(a) Prohibition o/horseback riding, campfires, and vehicular traffic. Horseback riding and campfires shall be
prohibited on nesting areas during the nesting season.Vehicular traffic shall also be prohibited on nesting
areas during the nesting season except for emergency and law enforcement vehicles,vehicles permitted on
the beach for marine turtle conservation or research,or vehicles used for beach cleaning in compliance with
seotion12'118.
(b) Prohibiting storage orplacementof anymaterialin the nesting area.The storage or placement of any
material such as, but not limited to,construction material, rip-rap,trash and debris,mulch or other organic
material, landscaping material,fill,vehicles,or boats,that has potential to impede movement of hatchlings
or adults between ocean and nesting areas,or that may cover existing nests or nesting sites is strictly
prohibited.
(c) Development. All development shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from any area that serves as an active
or potential nesting area for marine turtles.The 50-foot setback will be measured from the landward toe of
the most landward beach berm or from 50 feet landward of mean high water(MHW),whichever results in
the smaller total setback.The maximum total setback shall be 100 feet from MHW.
(d) ����iy turtle ne,,ts or �Ie,,ting ��Aivities have been repgLtgd ��ithin a portion of a nesting �ny
,,tructure,,, including, �2� �22� �irnited to, beach chair,,, urnbrellas and cabanas which have the Mtential for
2L �L2rine turtles and which rnay interfere with the we of the natural beach environment for
(Code 1979,51]'62; Ord. No.8'1994,52;Ord. No. 1O'1998' 51)
Sec. 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,
Created: z02z'zz'09zo.z^.50 [EST]
(Supp.No.»4,Update U
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the following measures shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the negative effectsof new or existing artificial
lighting:
(1) Exterior artificial light fixtures **����ee�
4**ea�s�4�ofthe4es*e-4 nesting shall be designed, positioned, modified,or removed sothat:
a.
cand|essetforthinapphcab|efedera| andstate |awsdesiQnedtoprotectpubhq:::
b The point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture isnot
aH4,4�
(Z) 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 offixtures so that the point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture
|
| is eliminated orisno longer visible from the
/
b. Replacement of fixtures having an exposed light source with fixtures containing recessed light
sources orshields;
C.
d. Replacement ofnondireo iona|0xtunesvvithoomp|etely shielded directional 0xturesthatpoint
down and away from
�-gpj��,ed Beach,,ide shields are to cover 270 deg�-ees and extend below the bottorn edgg 2f t�]�
not visible frorn the nesting�L22,
— '_,_ --__ -____'-__—�-
ImAtem
t Replacement of pole lamps with |ow'prof|e, low-level luminaries so that dle ig�]t or any
1-+-L`Planting or improvement of landscape vegetation
| � - between the light source
� -
and beach to light from 4i-e�eac--4.the nesting
Created: z02z'zz'09zo.z^.50 [EST]
(Supp.No.»4,Update U
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k] Construction of ground level barriers andward of the beach and frontal dune in compliance with
the land development regulations(section & 118'7 environmental design criteria)toshield
light sources from
and
Klurnination-
of or direc��isil2ilitY L212 �122 D2��illg�l-ej Work zone lurninaires shall be shielded to avoid
i Inclusive of all the standards of this Section, inclgding�:��ing �ixtures that are ong
ii
l2g��essjry, �nd incorporate all the standards of this Section,and
iii
of fixture,and
ix
| fi 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 oreliminate
negative effects on sea turtles;
| krn. Permanent removal of all floodlights,uplights,or spotlights used for decorative or accent
/
purposes;
| Al. Permanent removal or disabling of any fixture that cannot be brought into compliance with the
/
provisions of these standards;and
| **g. Shielding or modification of any existing lighted sign pursuant to the land development
/ regulations(section 118-6,environmental design criteria)such that itis not directly visible from
| .
/
(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 turn
their lights out between the hours of dusk until dawn. Further,the mayor may request utility
companies to shield or turn off lights in designated areas for the same purpose.
(Code 1979,51]'6]; Ord. No.8'1994,5];Ord. No. 1O'1998, 51;Ord. No.O]5'2O12, 51;Ord. No.OO8'2O1], 51)
Created: z02z'zz'09zo.z^.50 [EST]
(Supp.No.»4,Update U
pages of
Sec. 12-117. Standards for interior artificial lighting.
To prevent interior artificial lighting from illuminating the jurisdictional boundaries or adjacent waters during
the nesting season, measures such as, but not limited to,the following shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the
negative effects of new or existing interior light emanating from doors and windows:
(1) Interior artificial lighting within direct line-of-sight of the ilest lg ai rya 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, %„I?.i;,j..f.l;{ect..L.:F....L�p.l;..
ry .Y .� u i r"d'^I nro�i"P"Yi.S,Y:...�..wi'}r�. a Y."�'.', r"}Q".'T�'Q.. ',ry n�1 I"r t i��.f i I L g I ;
ry C p
v�S� e" '�"�'I'a.FY�f JY..Y rPv—T .T4'CF"I"Y' ��,��� the���
(2) Measures such as,but not limited to,the following shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the negative
effects of new or existing interior beachfront lighting through appropriate design:
a. Use of window treatments such as blackout draperies,shade-screens or blinds to shield interior
lights from . _ thy:'...nesti.lI.g...L.f:. ..2.;
b. Installation of new windows that meet the standards for tinted glass or,for existing windows,an
application of window tint or film that meets the standards for tinted glass;
C. Turning off all unnecessary interior lights;
d. Arrangement of lamps and other moveable light fixtures away from windows;
e. Appropriate interior design to eliminate overhead lighting that could y e �kl:���t.ly� iiw irg(tly, g.i:.
,iry r'r�rr rvvr irvv rW^r rord,' a rvro W�ron �.r ry ^�`�
�.�U���.� U't��u".` y�u"�"r '"`• �:1 �" ^r lro ,�"' Qry Y'� CWC"'' '...r�,��� tr'r`.. �rV�ry"rt��...�i.".k....
and
f. For new construction within line of sight of the•4 �]est<<]t„ ..I;.L. ,tinted glass shall beinstalled
on all windows and glass doors of single or multistory structures.
(Code 1979,§ 13-64; Ord. No.8-1994,§4;Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec.12-118.Standards for mechanical beach cleaning.
All mechanical beach cleaning activities designed to remove debris from the beach or redistribute debris on
the beach through the use of motorized vehicles or other mechanical means shall comply with the following
standards:
(1) Timing. Beach cleaning shall be confined to daylight hours during the nesting season.
(2) Mode of operations. During the nesting season (April 15 through October 31):
a. Beach cleaning operations shall be limited to the area seaward of the strand line(previoushigh
tide mark).
b. Light-weight motorized vehicles having wide,low-profile,low-pressure tires,or hand raking shall
be used to conduct beach cleaning operations.
C. Devices used for removing debris from the beach shall be designed and/or operated such that
they do not penetrate beach substrate by more than two inches.
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d. Operators shall be educated to identify a sea turtle crawl (turtle tracks), recognize and avoid
sea turtle nest, report nests and/or crawls to a permitted agent of the state.
e. All excess raked material must be removed from the beach and disposed of properly or stored in
an upland area as approved by the director of environmental resources.With special approval
from the director of environmental resources and the state department of environmental
protection, limited quantities of organic material may be incorporated into the substrate in order
to enhance the beach/berm system.
(3) Coordination of beach cleaning operations with state-sanctioned scientific studies.All beach cleaning
operations shall be coordinated through the state to ensure that these operations do not interfere with
state-sanctioned scientific studies or surveys of sea turtle nesting activities.
(4) Authorization. Any person performing mechanical beach cleaning must have a current permit fromthe
Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the area being cleaned.
(Code 1979,§ 13-65; Ord. No.8-1994,§5;Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec. 12-119. Protection from predation.
(a) No predatory pets or pets likely to have a potential for being disruptive or damaging to nesting turtles,
hatchlings,or nests shall be allowed to roam loose and unsupervised within the jurisdictional boundaries
during the nesting season.Such pets include, but are not limited to,dogs,cats,snakes, lizards or iguanas,
ferrets and pigs.
(b) Feeding of raccoons,opossums and other wild animals within the jurisdictional boundaries is prohibited.
(Code 1979,§ 13-66; Ord. No.8-1994,§6;Ord. No. 10-1998, §1)
Sec. 12-120. Penalty.
(a) Violations of this article may be prosecuted in the same manner as misdemeanors are prosecuted. In such
cases,the violations shall be prosecuted in the name of the state in a court having jurisdiction over
misdemeanors by the prosecuting attorney thereof and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to
exceed$500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 60 days,or both such fine and
imprisonment.Violations may also be prosecuted through proceedings before the county code enforcement
special magistrate or through any other lawfully available means including civil and injunctive relief.
(b) The property owner and,where applicable, his designee,agent,tenant, lessee,or assignee,shall each be
held responsible for adherence to the provisions of this article.
(Code 1979,§ 13-67; Ord. No.8-1994,§7;Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Secs. 12-121-12-139. Reserved.
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2469
1H I3 �\
MEMORANDUM
MONROE COUNTY PLANNING&ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
We strive to be caring,professional and fair
To: Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Through: Emily Schemper, Senior Director of Planning & Environmental Resources
From: Michael Roberts, Sr. Administrator of Environmental Resources
Date: April 16, 2024
Subject: REQUEST TO ADVERTISE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12, ARTICLE
V OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ALIGN WITH
CHAPTER 62B-55 F.A.C.; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
REPEAL OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS,PROVIDING FOR INCL USIONIN THE
MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR ANEFFECTIVE
DATE. (File 2024-065)
Meeting: May 15, 2024
I. REQUEST
The Monroe County Planning & Environmental Resources Department is requesting approval to
advertise and schedule a public hearing to consider adoption of proposed amendments to Sections
12-114 through 12-117 of Article V — Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance - of the Monroe County
Code of Ordinances.
The proposed Ordinance is for amendments to Chapter 12 Article V Sea Turtle Protection to
align with the guidelines outlined in Chapter 62B-55 —Model Lighting Ordinance for Marine
Turtle Protection - of the Florida Administrative Code. These changes include integrating the
latest advancements in lighting technology and implementing best management practices (BMPs)
to significantly reduce incidents of sea turtle disorientations.
II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On April 20, 1994, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved ordinance 008-
1994 adopting and enacting new provisions for the protection of sea turtles,providing definitions,
prohibiting certain activities disruptive to sea turtles,providing special lighting restrictions during
nesting season, providing standards for mechanical beach cleaning, providing for prevention of
animal predation of sea turtles, providing penalties, providing for conflicting provisions of law,
providing for severability in the event of partial invalidity,providing for applicability throughout
the unincorporated areas of Monroe County, directing that copies of the ordnance be filed with
the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of State, providing for an
effective date and for codification.
File 2024-065 BOCC Staff Report Page 1 of 9
2470
On March 11, 1998 the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved ordinance 010-
1998, amending ordinance 008-1994, the Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance, to include revisions
that were intended to clarify and standardize the regulations, providing definitions, prohibiting
certain activities disruptive to sea turtles, providing special lighting restrictions during nesting
season, providing standards for mechanical beach cleaning, providing for prevention of animal
predation of sea turtles,providing penalties,providing for conflicting provisions of law,providing
for severability in the event of partial invalidity, providing for applicability throughout the
unincorporated areas of Monroe County, directing that copies of the ordnance be filed with the
Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of State,providing for an effective
date and for codification.
On February 20, 2013, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved ordinance
008-2013 amending Monroe County Code, Section 12-116; providing for the mayor to impose a
"Lights Out"restriction for areas of unincorporated Monroe County.
III. PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Section 1. Recitals and Legislative Intent. The foregoing prefatory recitals and
determinations are true and correct and are hereby incorporated as if fully stated
herein.
Section 2. The text of Sections 12-114 through 12-117, Article V of Chapter 12 of the Monroe
County Code of Ordinances is hereby amended as follows.
(deletions are shown stricken through; additions are shown underlined):
Sec. 12-114. Definitions.
The following words,terms and phrases,when used in this article,shall have the meanings ascribed to them
in this section,except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Adjacent waters means waters abutting a nesting area and extending 300 feet to either side of it,and out to
either 300 yards offshore or the limits of the property line,whichever is further.
Artificial light or artificial lighting means the light emanating from any manmade or man-controlled device.
Beach means the zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the mean low-water line to
the place where there is a marked change in material or physiographic form,or to the line of permanent
vegetation,usually the effective limit of storm waves.
Beach berm means a bare,sandy shoreline with a mound or ridge of unconsolidated sand that is immediately
landward of,and usually parallel to,the shoreline and beach.The sand is calcareous material that is the remains of
marine organisms such as corals,algae and molluscs.The berm may include forested, coastal ridges and may be
colonized by hammock vegetation.
Cumulatively i a trr�rbl means•i•4j4*' ligb („I2M lea--numerous artificial light sources that as a
group be ,,een �2y�fl.. ��2DLIEx �ffl...the fIestff1.g f f J•49�.
Daylight hours means the locally effective time period between sunrise and sunset.
File 2024-065 BOCC Staff Report Page 2 of 9
2471
can be
l21�onentotion rneans the inability g�l]�t�jlling gl-adult sea turtles to orient pLgp�Lly tg tl]� 2��:ejn
full cut:�2L tixture rneans a fixture with a flat, horizontjlly��griented ens and op�g��g�ides that does not
LLLI'11�
above 90" as
Hatchling means any species of marine turtle,within or outside of a nest,that has recently hatched from an
e88.
Indirectly means
+:30
- -4_-1 4�� -_- _' W _ _- _ _ _- _ _--, �__ _ _ - ___ �_ _ - _ ___ .
Jurisdictional boundaries,sea turtle protection, means the area on contiguous land within]OO feet of an
identified or potential nesting area.
nanorneters
Mechanical beach cleaning means any mechanical means by which debris, including, but not restricted to,
trash, litter,seaweed orsea8rass wrack, is removed from the beach.
Nest means the area in and around a place in which sea turtle eggs are naturally deposited or relocated
beneath the sediments of the beach.
Nesting area means both identified nesting areas and potential nesting areas.
Nesting area, identified, means any area where sea turtles have been or are currently nesting,and the
adjacent beach or other intertida|areas used for access by the turtles.
Nesting area,potential, means any 4e,4,�
4,y*es—a r e a
Nesting season means the period from April 15 through October 31 of each year.
Permitted agent of the state means any qualified individual,group or organization possessing a permit from
the Department ofEnvironmental Protection to
conduct activities related to sea turtle protection and conservation.
Sea turtle means any specimen belonging to the species Caretto caretto(loggerhead turtle),Chelonia mydcls
(green turtle), Dermochelys coriacea (leatherback turtle),Eretmochelys imbricato (hawksbill turtle)or any other
marine turtle using the county beaches asa nesting habitat.
Shield rnealis ali op�g��g ��:ove�I ing, (jnopy gl-other such device fitted over a igl]t that blocks the igl]t
fl-2]2 b�ing
Tinted glass means any glass that:
File 2024'06580CC Staff Report Page 3oI9
2472
(1) Has been treated to achieve an industry-approved, inside-to-outside light transmittance value of 45
percent or less(such transmittance is measured as the percentage of visible light that is transmitted
through the glass);
(2) Has a minimum five-year warranty for the level of light transmittance specified in subsection (1) of this
definition;and
(3) Has performance claims that are supported by approved testing procedures and documentation. { p( p ! ! fixtures "I"I f f"l f f"T7 f�"f'?.,,the��. 7 C,,�t��.f"l t f a..for.,{(V/(.... ( ?' (C �fINiC fTI�'rEf"lr,rEf Cf. f(frE f�r,%."lCff"l�% f.�Cf1f��,rE..f"ll bulbs that f.... .,
affect, to the nocturnal behaviors of nesting an� f,atulling ,aa and other wildlife I he following
u;rite <a all IL.�.
,, I ]a...i g]t r,l t,f 1 f(f' is rn l P f 1 n t f",.d a r, l P\/! t l P t"V f"g f l P f 1 f1l� l P r l P l�r a r, p f"ri„(t i c j"7 f" t"V f l P f 1,k.,�,l,�, '' rig l P f,�,;t f 1 f e r"'I«,.
r � �'"l t"l 4 f 1„
,eau: a,, 12 mounted yvalll fi tgro:s Iovy bollard,,, and t„��,':P..fund Ievel fixtures
�2) 1 he lfufYYfryns emitted ,y tbg light r,lBf1f(fry are the fYYinir Yal,[,eglf i ed for the intended
.) 1l12...L„I t ,1P111(fry is contained within a .ffully",hieldedat no li l]
brojd a,t above a...horizontal 2!f D2 2l]� tb2 2 2il,.t sm a a.of fit„b,t 2l]� any Leflea tive surfaces es of the
fixture are f2ot l'ire(„tly vfr,fble ff"IBrn the nestM9 al'21..
(4) 11]g... gMitting I,Ledgl]2inately lit„I,t nrn) 11'¢ery g I2l]g uv elengtb...Iit„I,t.
,o .". ', I"�:�...11 �' „ ,l i rn va�..2 11127 YLl 12 P„L Lt tr
, tl-ue „", d neon a"" 7�.ran
..
L,2 l2l]22; f,y t q„2 1 l2Lida 1 Nh and Wildlife a ow e vatic m a, uLfd.fL fit„f t<<,tx
(Code 1979,§ 13-61; Ord. No.8-1994,§ 1;Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec. 12-115. Prohibition of activities disruptive to sea turtles.
(a) Prohibition of horseback riding, campfires, and vehicular traffic. Horseback riding and campfires shall be
prohibited on nesting areas during the nesting season.Vehicular traffic shall also be prohibited on nesting
areas during the nesting season except for emergency and law enforcement vehicles,vehicles permitted on
the beach for marine turtle conservation or research,or vehicles used for beach cleaning in compliance with
section 12-118.
(b) Prohibiting storage or placement of any material in the nesting area. The storage or placement of any
material such as, but not limited to,construction material, rip-rap,trash and debris,mulch or other organic
material, landscaping material,fill,vehicles,or boats,that has potential to impede movement of hatchlings
or adults between ocean and nesting areas,or that may cover existing nests or nesting sites is strictly
prohibited.
(c) Development. All development shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from any area that serves as an active
or potential nesting area for marine turtles.The 50-foot setback will be measured from the landward toe of
the most landward beach berm or from 50 feet landward of mean high water(MHW),whichever results in
the smaller total setback.The maximum total setback shall be 100 feet from MHW.
(d) ff any turtle nests or..11estil]g...autivit«, have been reluorted...within a IM tion of a nesting.:� ' ...y I y
1 1
i" A ....l', .
r,tf"f1(tfllf"fryr, ff"V(r..f1l'iff"V xr....7f1t f"lC�t ffTlftfryl'� to,, "Jf�.�k( "l ( "laff"r, f1fl"I7f"fry ar, ,af,�'k cabanas which ha„Vf�ry t"Vf�ry 7lxtgf"ltfa for
f�f"ltf a�,„fTlfryf"lt lx.f fTlaf ff"lf'ry turtles and .. ay interfere fry wf,t"l the G,1r,fry of 1.1fry natural beach environment for.,.,
I'�O,ry f"T7 l P V e 1,�� from the nesting ... g ..i. .L
"" ri(,fryl'i in a., fTlaflflef" r,lB ar, tlB f"lot...lB"1r,tf"f1(t the tf"aw,ft of turtle hjtc"l ffl„gr, tlx t'lfry �tgf" w" ac f?fTlfryf"lt r,"lof1 d..
include ,tacking a ,ta.gg f 2 22t 2 f, at the landward f'dg2 2L tb2 D22, if,g L 2::
File 2024-065 BOCC Staff Report Page 4 of 9
2473
(Code 1979,§ 13-62; Ord. No.8-1994,§2;Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec. 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 directly, indirectly, gL�G„rnulat vely vir,.ible (rorn any IDorciaxn wit ..
14 of the'•I�� nf ,'ti�]t,a�2 2 shall be designed, positioned, modified,or removed so that:
a. t,ley jgl ] x`v/l!r.t,Vg gngt..], 11l P`vl`r!f"@,`v/l!r.if 11 �i e tf'da.,,.fgll cgto r : y r+]i' led and f"n Puntf'kY� as(lo,,e tl,i,".
1 1
t,;l f�`�.�f l t f..V,.fl 11 l P f 'I P,l,f,"l f ry l� floor ,f,.V f„ a(f ry a�„f'y7("1`+`+f"7 e.,to x achieve.. e...n"I f n f n"1
candles set forth in appli alale'federal and state laws designed to protect pulali
IE.urnina'tio.fn of (f sj y't2 MLItain safety ,f ,�Lity,... e....�;mm
The point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not dirg(tly, hwfin=,(tly,,2"-
y " rl any 12o tion as( +r a qyE v 1, fi'ea r4 tI 4aa'a tl fry fIe:s:tint"of fya;a /a:)I.(ia�rl�afat%vf�f vie„if(ff� i�'ax
IN+ffl+Ac`"ea.-,`:",d-`drarr-la
.q::.
............................:
(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 n2est'nt„Lna;t;
b. Replacement of fixtures having an exposed light source with fixtures containing recessed light
sources or shields;
C. �tf�„gj1 h g a.]y IiLdh�t "our(o HE1fl t ell lBf" fT�7 t at fry not on r( a, fJ fJf gtb)f? x ffl„(anl'fJr(fJnt,,.
y t � ) .. v if,,ll((f f��(f"a Pl t, l�Sf Ili x�"� fntC' fl�ft f��ltfn � (ll!f„t"� t"�C' � � x � a,
�x��f `rt �ruattat�f" �xnt, �aavfry frynt,,t."� f tx ILLLI �.s� lrv�u..
I2re„ure:��x�k<<u��.)..I�t„I�t ;rp„�a�(r� or arnla available for the..:s2Li(i(I�:.a����l�(
�•9::w�i �ad I •�=��-��'.e.q..l•a '�; �y�l^^.,,--�',t,�;d^�-I^,�•: -- e ��'�-ww��..•.p, �;�..;�s�ra
V4PW ^";
d. Replacement of nondirectional fixtures with completely shielded directional fixtures that point
down and away from + the nesting Lgf ;
Y(. Provide shields for f^tf, rys Vrf.:b ry lT l t"ry nesting an,d n( t 12ractical...., to fTT ledfate.,y 7f
�g.� ...,Beach,,ide shields are to cover 270 11.eg�fryfrys..and extend ry.,.fP`v/l! t"l e....,"7("1ttl PrI"1 e11 xg l,t, t"lf,..
fixture e l..%fl..the ,eawarl1 "xfale s1..% t�',„fat the �.� .�.Vf(f� l..�tf.... .....�' �' ' "PI t`tG I,.�f �t ,�s� any ff'� f (t�nf ;fVf a(f' � bt f»t'�.Vff i...
fry nestingarfrya,.„.
not visible ��,i'�� ti.i,i
�...................... ..p�,,.,�1,�,�Iro'�,','�...:�.q.. . •�'r •p� w' '. :' '.��; "_. '. •a:�• _.'" a". i.:�.•I�q. ....1...� " � e
L.. c4' _.' ;a & 4
••q•z-„-rr- n'"„'•^'".q..... _, _,..::�..I• _ '�I q,..-,,.rr,
Replacement of pole lamps with low-profile, low-level luminaries ,2 that d e 1i„t„Il„t t„�,p�,u��n or any
reflective e(tfVe....
]t fixture is f"l,C(t Vf rf 7..e frorn the #q.-,w..... ne rtffl x
i l ...i#�(,)' ... .-, s.q.q...:�W,'� r' �' �,' 3 r &,a..l ... ., i .
l- -Id'.. _A-Wa# ;:..
.Lp�. '_. '' r: .�'�.�',. � " � ".�.�:...."ski'�•""'r"',.rarar�"-o�•rv'oti�vw�•w`'r.,•�`�.�"s.:..' �,• n I ,•,,' r
File 2024-065 BOCC Staff Report Page 5 of 9
2474
h-t„ Planting or improvement of landscape vegetation IIu _, + 41-e-4I-�d
^' ^^� -r •u•u �� ' between the light source
y �ry,t'.f.f?.i...L..f:.2..2.;
and the beachto screen light from . t�e n,
the beach dune in compliance with the
•i•••.�¢ Construction o ground eve barriers a���.;� ar�k �s� � ��'�': �a����:.:J�x�"�ta �
land development regulations(section 1.1.8.6&„118-7 environmental design criteria)to shield light
sources from _, (,4t.hg l2g t,f fftx aLg�.;
"1 1 1 C 1 1 1 ! ! ! 1 1 .ff
faCfau f� au�� „� �Z�,)..fa��� a�rp.� ,�xv� �'., I��� �,, a���k t���r1.1��x�a��...���t„fit<<��'i��..((fa,f�f�.i'af�t,) ;f�¢..aff f2� t�E91��� �k ��..
" ftt,.�� " "C't 7� tlf "�„l l �r� to "�( ' afy..f11(tuf:ly
..
12' 2 f2ng LLL'1...l1r22 �:
f'..D t ti..." n r" .a ' ., r t t���rll�c��a� ��!�s�.„ �ax����, � „�t<<� ; axe �axa� ua!ay c�;,s��, rsac t,faxn and.
l%f„l illg L.L 2d Cy„fY fV txf. l] ies "half be directed d a\/VDY if 212 t122 V�ry,tf.... fnt! al-ea to avoid III61r"1<nati. l�si.
lP...,I or direct visibility f lPf"I"1, t"l g f"l g,,ting „rya tlPf,..,"flPf"l f?.,lurninaires shall be shielded d to avoid
d.
t'i,.btillg of-ej"s outside of the ff"Y7fT,1,e Mate.,(,lPf"stf"f1,(;,tion area..„..
y t " g�& f x"�tff�;';x ��a"....,lxt"l f�f t„f?f'Y7 7 C1 f`i�,f(lPf l",,C.f`f1(C.flx�,��, ��, .,.,
._,. ". standards of tl"if"" Section, tr " �;, ?s that are IPf"g
f� ! f1 rff"�''�1. Inclusive lB �k.. t"lf� ,.: ... ff"l( f1l'.f f�tflf"�'„
ua!av^ellent„tf],.d2ua!n2y2ld �i e..c tee, fluff a�ato ff,and fully ,bief.ded ,o.f.!t„fit N not directfy2L
i"Je ff lsf ...
t l t a l
lP �f,1f fft� f f' ttffT P:a fff�a turtle nest' r IT 11f':a restricted I(tf,„l to the IT II 11T",,..
n2u e.„a:yr �..nd ,I2L rnu ml�;l;,f:ate "I.Lthe standards...
of this Section,Wid
iiI IV"o unted ess than gigl]t f' t Ckl gC g tl]V �,,ent floor or deck, rnea"+fuf"f'dIf"orn tll,ebottltrn
of fixture,an
t f t t ly� tf?",tf;,,.f,(tf?l'� lk..,t"Vf' I"Iff;"lffT7a af;"I"IlPf1f"lt lt. f1fl"Iff"lLitflPf"V necessary...taP (lPf"I.CPf"fI"1 lP...the
t on safety f gglf f,f�'fTlent:s al�l� ic;;,a�a �� c as��, �sac t.i .....
jl. 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;
I(i . Permanent removal of all floodlights,uplights,or spotlights used for decorative or accent
purposes;
1n. Permanent removal or disabling of any fixture that cannot be brought into compliance with the
provisions of these standards;and
iTii x. 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
t'29...2.l:.2 .
(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 turn
their lights out between the hours of dusk until dawn. Further,the mayor may request utility
companies to shield or turn 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)
Sec. 12-117. Standards for interior artificial lighting.
To prevent interior artificial lighting from illuminating the jurisdictional boundaries or adjacent waters during
the nesting season, measures such as, but not limited to,the following shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the
negative effects of new or existing interior light emanating from doors and windows:
File 2024-065 BOCC Staff Report Page 6 of 9
2475
(1) Interior artificial lighting within direct|ine-od*ightof the lasae4�Iest0Ig�[22 shall bedesigned,
positioned, modified,or removed yothat:
a. The point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not directly,
L��M�::��2�i v e I yvisib|e
(Z) Measures such as,but not limited to,the following shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the negative
effects of new or existing interior beachfront lighting through appropriate design:
a. Use of window treatments such as blackout draperies,shade-screens or blinds to shield interior
lights from
b. Installation of new windows that meet the standards for tinted glass or,for existing windows,an
application of window tint or film that meets the standards for tinted glass;
C. Turning off all unnecessary interior lights;
d. Arrangement of lamps and other moveable light fixtures away from windows;
e. Appropriate interior design to eliminate overhead lighting that could
and
t For new construction within line of sight ofthe tinted glass shaUbeinstaUed
on all windows and glass doors of single or multistory structures.
(Code 1979,51]'64; Ord. No.8'1994,54;Ord. No. 1O'1998' 51)
Sec.12-118.Standards for mechanical beach cleaning.
All mechanical beach cleaning activities designed to remove debris from the beach or redistribute debris on
the beach through the use of motorized vehicles or other mechanical means shall comply with the following
standards:
(1) Timing. Beach cleaning shall be confined to daylight hours during the nesting season.
(Z) Mode o/operations. During the nesting season (April 15 through October]1):
a. Beach cleaning operations shall be limited to the area seaward of the strand line(pnevioushi8h
tidemark).
b. Li8ht+mei8htmotorizedvehideshavin8vvide,|om+profi|e,|om+pnessuretires,orhandrakin8shaU
be used to conduct beach cleaning operations.
C. Devices used for removing debris from the beach shall be designed and/or operated such that
they do not penetrate beach substrate by more than two inches.
d. Operators shall be educated to identify sea turtle crawl (turtle tracks), recognize and avoid
sea turtle nest, report nests and/or crawls toa permitted agent of the state.
| e. All excess raked material must be removed from the beach and disposed of properly or stored in
�
an upland area as approved by the director of environmental resources.With special approval
from the director of environmental resources and the state department of environmental
protection, limited quantities of organic material may be incorporated into the substrate in order
to enhance the beach/berm system.
|
' (3) Coordination of beach cleaning operations with state-sanctioned scientific studies.All beach cleaning
operations shall be coordinated through the state to ensure that these operations do not interfere with
state-sanctioned scientific studies or surveys of sea turtle nesting activities.
Filu2024'065 80CC Staff Report Page 7oI9
2476
(4) Authorization. Any person performing mechanical beach cleaning must have a current permit fromthe
Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the area being cleaned.
(Code 1979,§ 13-65; Ord. No.8-1994,§5;Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec. 12-119. Protection from predation.
(a) No predatory pets or pets likely to have a potential for being disruptive or damaging to nesting turtles,
hatchlings,or nests shall be allowed to roam loose and unsupervised within the jurisdictional boundaries
during the nesting season.Such pets include, but are not limited to,dogs,cats,snakes, lizards or iguanas,
ferrets and pigs.
(b) Feeding of raccoons,opossums and other wild animals within the jurisdictional boundaries is prohibited.
(Code 1979,§ 13-66; Ord. No.8-1994,§6;Ord. No. 10-1998, §1)
Sec. 12-120. Penalty.
(a) Violations of this article may be prosecuted in the same manner as misdemeanors are prosecuted. In such
cases,the violations shall be prosecuted in the name of the state in a court having jurisdiction over
misdemeanors by the prosecuting attorney thereof and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to
exceed$500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 60 days,or both such fine and
imprisonment.Violations may also be prosecuted through proceedings before the county code enforcement
special magistrate or through any other lawfully available means including civil and injunctive relief.
(b) The property owner and,where applicable, his designee,agent,tenant, lessee,or assignee,shall each be
held responsible for adherence to the provisions of this article.
(Code 1979,§ 13-67; Ord. No.8-1994,§7;Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Secs. 12-121-12-139. Reserved.
Section 3. Construction and Interpretation. The construction and interpretation of this ordinance
and all Monroe County Comprehensive Plan provision(s), Florida Building Code, Florida Statutes, and
Monroe County Code provision(s)whose interpretation arises out of,relates to, or is interpreted in
connection with this ordinance shall be liberally construed and enforced in favor of Monroe County, and
shall be construed in favor of the BOCC and such construction and interpretation shall be entitled to
great weight in adversarial administrative proceedings, at trial,bankruptcy, and on appeal.
Section 4. No Liability. Monroe County expressly reserves and in no way shall be deemed to have
waived, for itself or for its officer(s), employee(s), or agent(s), any sovereign,governmental, and any
other similar defense,immunity, exemption, or protection against any suit, cause-of-action, demand, or
liability.
Section 5. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or any part or portion thereof,is held to be
invalid or unenforceable by any administrative hearing officer or court of competent jurisdiction,the
invalidity or unenforceability of such provision, or any part or portion thereof, shall neither limit nor
impair the operation, enforceability, or validity of any other provision of this ordinance, or any
remaining part(s) or portion(s)thereof. All other provisions of this ordinance, and remaining part(s) or
portion(s)thereof, shall continue unimpaired in full force and effect.
File 2024-065 BOCC Staff Report Page 8 of 9
2477
Section 6. Repeal of Inconsistent Provisions. All ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are
hereby repealed to the extent of said conflict. The repeal of an ordinance herein shall not repeal the
repealing clause of such ordinance or revive any ordinance which has been repealed thereby.
Section 7. Filing and Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon receipt of
official notice from the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Florida that this ordinance has
been filed with said Office.
Section 8. Inclusion in the Monroe County Code. The provisions of this Ordinance shall be
included and incorporated in the Code of Ordinances of the County of Monroe, Florida, as an addition to
amendment thereto, and shall be appropriately renumbered to conform to the uniform marking system of
the Code.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a
regular meeting held on the day of May, 2024
IV.ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The proposed amendment is consistent with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan including but not limited
to Objective 206.6, Policy 206.6.3, which states: Monroe County shall maintain
the turtle protection ordinance and shall periodically amend the ordinance to reflect current Florida
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sea turtle lighting guidelines. (62B-55 FAC; 161.163
F.S.) Regulations of this ordinance apply to existing and new development and generally
accomplish the following:
1. prohibit activities disruptive to marine turtles;
2. maintain standards for preventing interior lighting from illuminating nesting areas during
the nesting season;
3. maintain standards for mechanical beach cleaning; and
4. protect marine turtles from predation.
VI. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends APPROVAL to move forward with advertising and subsequently holding the
public hearing.
File 2024-065 BOCC Staff Report Page 9 of 9
2478
� t
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ORDINANCE NO. OOX-2024
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA AMENDING MONROE COUNTY CODE SECTION ARTICLE V
PROVIDING LIGHTING STANDARDS TO ALIGN WITH GUIDELINES OUTLINED IN
CHAPTER 6211-55 — MODEL LIGHTING ORDINANCE FOR MARINE TURTLE
PROTECTION - OF THE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES
INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE
MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS Monroe County recognizes that light pollution of beaches is a serious
threat to sea turtles and other species inhabiting its beaches; and
WHEREAS the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes that nesting adult and
hatchling sea turtles are negatively affected by light pollution created by artificial light visible from
any portion of the beach; and
WHEREAS the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes that sea turtles are
protected by federal and state law; and
WHEREAS the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes that both its economy
and the quality of life of
its residents are enriched by a healthy sea turtle population; and
WHEREAS the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners desires to minimize the
detrimental effect on nesting sea turtle populations, and other listed sensitive wildlife by amending
the standards in Chapter 12 Article V to reduce the amount of artificial light intentionally or
unintentionally visible from beaches;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida:
SECTION 1. Monroe County Code Sec. 12-Article V shall be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 12-114. Definitions.
The following words,terms and phrases,when used in this article,shall have the meanings ascribed to them
in this section,except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Adjacent waters means waters abutting a nesting area and extending 300 feet to either side of it,and out to
either 300 yards offshore or the limits of the property line,whichever is further.
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2479
Artificial light or artificial lighting means the light emanating from any manmade or man-controlled device.
Beach means the zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the mean low-water line to
the place where there is a marked change in material or physiographic form,or to the line of permanent
vegetation, usually the effective limit of storm waves.
Beach berm means a bare,sandy shoreline with a mound or ridge of unconsolidated sand that is immediately
landward of,and usually parallel to,the shoreline and beach.The sand is calcareous material that is the remains of
marine organisms such as corals,algae and molluscs.The berm may include forested,coastal ridges and may be
colonized by hammock vegetation.
�.e.q..l...a _.�ifi.�.�.q..l.. _. ._. '+ �� � � _. ._. . _. :.r• ;;�-:�,�....b. i.
Cumulatively iJ umin vir i fle means i ligl]t fl gl:r by--numerous artificial light sources that as a
group 14w*n can l2 e l] l y l „ rtk" i t the nesting lfjb'C .
Daylight hours means thelocally effective time {period between sunrise and sunset.
k ...f 1 L� �'r t rs a rn'�s L u�.1 rreflectors artificial1 ., 1 '�n
p p l"T7��.a l"l, l B�,!l l"l � �ry �ry l"T7�',.I., / ..,., r
f�(N?vt.., 6P(�( Y�... lB rEf"l cxa��, cxl , ����t "r�rv�a�c� that can �.�:.
,f gliliy all l„b,,e ver,,talvdin al V frylfry llvthe n est i ng al-ea.,,'.,
�i. SNP?'.ntotloF"kTlf'anst e inability IPYli" t(I"Vlfllg l L l'�61 t�gf turtles to orient pfl p�l-,ly tg tl"Vg a a a flat,
g f'ikf1,,.,',,,.
t t,
full a`uu�'.:�"'Pf I(,Mt�.L,(N?'. fTlf?�'il"lr, fA�C.f1l"f?`v/l!f;�',"l �'.m, "lCll"fzls,f;ttay�Clf"ffrylvtf?l'� frylvr,andlP�7al'�'f.V„f' r,ll�lf`r,that does l"lC�'„
p Lli2it fit„lit..distribution above a horizontal plane..located at the bottom of Ule flxu:a.lry a figbtilug.fixtlal"e..
(lBlvr,tl"flcted...,lly such fTlanfl„fryl"tlat..,no ligbtfrylTllttf?d 7y tvfa fixu,Lrg,„fryltvfryl",.d
irectly...fglrl tbg fal]22...gl a c iff:a','Int'
.. indirectly y �ryc ticxl�l rxl refraction, l cxlrl any� .��' lal�.. I f above 0" a;�' �'1T7�'l"lt lBl .f. "J l�'.. ..7a1 t lB � ll"lall� 1, 7l lB � c t� l at 1,�.�
dete.lr lnlltl'd....by I�f�c,�t4xlrl�t<<.�'� I�ljn or certified by tfa2 (!»dale rnan ufac to el".�'..
I C( �Li lded rneans a igl]e in„g fixture (on,,rtl„u tee in such a rnanner that the gll.H\/ying 2l2ITl2n Ic%IT117S.
g14 L 2l reflectors tors of the fixture are c orn�I��l2t21y..�„:ov red by an 22 24 a2 t2 I� event ti ern (turn being
fit fl»tl::9J l 2L24 iding tbis , elfil4„��„ing l]2l:r 12 l�ll�'(rt f vl"«f�J'.f� fll..%lTl tlf lvf�„�tllv�r alga ylv�f �tlllctf.ula �7alt.aPftvf� l„�� ' rr ^.
'J:f:.l..a...a..L.f.!.x.�:'.d.::.
Hatchling means any species of marine turtle,within or outside of a nest,that has recently hatched from an
egg.
Indirectly4umin... virile means ll.igbt l-eflec tee fl:orn a t„Irxu�illg l'..Il�lrl�l t.�..IaMI2,Ex1cd11 cpr rgflec t'or of an
alCl ,cla lt,�,t ,� alca„ a�fc �,r,calce...f, notd..ifectya; ,lble � atca� ae seen by a� � ;,Ll f .. t i" l i n gy .,.
t"` nesting .„.,,� c- r �' „ �47 g.U.ew.l�f .-�?I'YI4:-I�, c- S,.9. Ad:M" �G+1
�,..w i��S.• -,I II I•g�-•'. _., y�J..Vror`r'i�l,^r`"'"mi'""_. ,•,.�•�w�w'r .•.w l�, �.sl4,l,�,�w,�, ,"I,.�.�..r.: _. � � _.
Jurisdictional boundaries,sea turtle protection, means the area on contiguous land within 300 feet of an
identified or potential nesting area.
I222 V2:2 PvIL22 L IYY=�t122 Lxl"lt'r( it„l"l`LjvP:'lel lgx l"l� l]lL 2L g 22. er rif"1d jb,ent`vjvelef lgtl"l,l2212I
Mechanical beach cleaning means any mechanical means by which debris, including, but not restricted to,
trash, litter,seaweed or seagrass wrack, is removed from the beach.
Nest means the area in and around a place in which sea turtle eggs are naturally deposited or relocated
beneath the sediments of the beach.
Nesting area means both identified nesting areas and potential nesting areas.
Nesting area, identified, means any area where sea turtles have been or are currently nesting,and the
adjacent beach or other intertidal areas used for access by the turtles.
Nesting area,potential, means any _. lea:l] c 4xrn2l2 21]4 ��„ul vl�txl.,tatl�4 2 ;,d al,r'Ia v2g2�2�.
du areji i ... " rsi ,,ting a�f tlll"tlf`rs 2r�:..za
"
' .I f-�hW1=t(=' �. a l' a(��l"l t t„C"x a..,.r,`49 7���i( "l �i l"¢l' �i((��„l 7 �� t l t.. , l l"l.,, ......
Nesting season means the period from April 15 through October 31 of each year.
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Permitted agent of the state means any qualified individual,group or organization possessing a permit from
the Department of Environmental Protection or by tVfry l",Bf"fda fr"«V and Wildlife.... tl,lPfVr,fryf"VaCfIPn tlM�"xfT7fTlfr,r,f"Cxf"¢,t0
conduct activities related to sea turtle protection and conservation.
Sea turtle means any specimen belonging to the species Caretta caretta(loggerhead turtle),Chelonia mydas
(green turtle), Dermochelys coriacea(leatherback turtle),Eretmochelys imbricate (hawksbill turtle)or any other
marine turtle using the county beaches as a nesting habitat.
,4-�• e4::•%g••ka i . '. rh•�•U a g �r r.....w+ l ' q::k _, :: ....�q.q:::� ;I
k�•U•9""�✓c"�� _", .,...�'�r'�"^ 9"1"I"sw. � ��•..... .. �� �" �al�-4:� '� ... `,'" ""'�", "",,n _. ' �lF�d-�'. _. '•m'. _. s•;Er
t
it .. a igl it I,gBf l e that blocks Frs fry..-1,gbt..
�e�1(?'Icdiafryaf"Vr, an lP�7al"�.f1f� c IPVa"f"ff"V� c af"lC%7y lPi".,lxtVf`f"such device fitted lPVfryf"... .
' frorn beilig y...,an ob,,erver )r,talldill of yral f?"ffry in the ne, ),tin aff a anV '� 1 r pL yel]t, tl;Vf�1 li lit,,, il]E;,
�� 1
�ff e(,t y, indirectly,"aBf c f1fY7f:ll atfVe y„Vf,f 7 f"'....f lPfTl the fVf ,tfflLx of f 1.
Tinted glass means any glass that:
(1) Has been treated to achieve an industry-approved, inside-to-outside light transmittance value of 45
percent or less(such transmittance is measured as the percentage of visible light that is transmitted
through the glass);
(2) Has a minimum five-year warranty for the level of light transmittance specified in subsection (1) of this
definition; and
(3) Has performance claims that are supported by approved testing procedures and documentation.
I /rlcllrje.I,I2Lr~r2...M= aL ificial.ligbI ing.Li to e.:s and bulbs that.rninirnizes the for fo neg2x ive affects'to the
nocturnal behaviors f ne,,ting al]c ls.atc lllrn.g ,rya bE.l„tles aril„) other wildlife I he following triter is
�:�,...I�I„I t ;r,::P l c e i. ..lrounted as low to the...gl-o and or flcsr.P.l a, 1�rj tic able thr cxugJb tb2 �2 2E Lixtures
,�aca' a, frsr7 �r�cx�rnted wall (� t�a��'ai frxra lf�lfllarcktr..a��ck tllr,':P..fr��cl 1�., :�'l fixtures
V jigbt ;2f1f c e are the rninirnal f'fryl flff el:'.'. for the intended a7S f.(atfl.Sfl..l.
1 I12...IiI„I t f:xiai c ry is contained within a „full c gt""off or fully ,hiielded fixture such that no li.gl]t is
brojdc a,t above a...horizontal 212l]2 2l]c t.Jb2 1Mint ,ou c e of ICI''„If�r a2cl a..lfy l-efle.l twe surfaces of the
VP'... 2fT12"«„"2fYlfttff1„9 =LMinatelyIBfV x'��a!aVf� h^f....�tV I �"lt `Ma���. IVI�I"1 .L.Vf ,f l2ng 2Y2a2122g ligb�
r^ ,lBl'i,h„ l]Y Va1 2l- lafT a,,r afT l f' f anV "l-g� Ltti;r tL"f f;ed l2ggfV lafT 7r F and, Pf1..lq f�., ff"l('. f1l'i f� VP�... .,.
. 1r r 1 r^' r 1 1 1 1 1'"
cxt]2 wtified by t1¢2 1 l2Li La 1 Nh and Wildlife q ow ervation q csrnrni„icxn a, wildlife IiI„b.ting
L2...l"Vtt�7,f„„�r�yfr c:;p..(lP�""If c;l.,,b,,,fV,f�f Va''t'.l�Pf"Vt`yc�s f,:U..- f f."t Z .a,.frtifff dZ::
(Code 1979, § 13-61;Ord. No.8-1994, § 1; Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec. 12-115. Prohibition of activities disruptive to sea turtles.
(a) Prohibition of horseback riding, campfires, and vehicular traffic. Horseback riding and campfires shall be
prohibited on nesting areas during the nesting season.Vehicular traffic shall also be prohibited on nesting
areas during the nesting season except for emergency and law enforcement vehicles,vehicles permitted on
the beach for marine turtle conservation or research,or vehicles used for beach cleaning in compliance with
section 12-118.
(b) Prohibiting storage or placement of any material in the nesting area. The storage or placement of any
material such as, but not limited to,construction material, rip-rap,trash and debris, mulch or other organic
material, landscaping material,fill,vehicles,or boats,that has potential to impede movement of hatchlings
or adults between ocean and nesting areas,or that may cover existing nests or nesting sites is strictly
prohibited.
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2481
(c) Development. All development shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from any area that serves as an active
or potential nesting area for marine turtles.The 50-foot setback will be measured from the landward toe of
the most landward beach berm or from 50 feet landward of mean high water(MHW),whichever results in
the smaller total setback.The maximum total setback shall be 100 feet from MHW.
(d) if aliyturtle nest,, lBf nesting ac ivitie,, have been ff pgltf'd a portion of a ne,,ting of 2a, ally tfJfTl�a,C"�faf`�;,.
t r ., ry r �� 1 1..I:' ry r
r,tf"flctfll,f"fryr,r ff"lcf11'iff"lE7f1t f"lC�..., ffTlftf?l,) tlBr 7f �( "� ( "� ff",, f1fl"1'7f"f� a, �fvl'� cayafrar, �vJ."lfc "� vn,Vf� tvf� 7C�tf�f"ltf�i lPf...
th
e natural beach r
fryfvtf a7,fYlfryflt lB... frlaf ffvf, tflf� f`r, andand �vJ"lfc "� rlay interfere fry with the ..( "� fryfvV„f,f lBf"lfT7fryf"¢t lB...
22 inn I22l2ltnt ,ball b ry.
y y rl g a f f'TM'�t.. �ti v N.I� aorp/� ����.�,ryrrl�xv�ry�,� ��..ry�"r' the fv�ry,t.„i
Y Y) t a I ,t �, �
t'�.(f ry l� w..� fTl a fl fl..�'�f ,' l P , t l x not l P r f f 1,(,.,,t the f"ry ' �'',i fv,f t 1..,,t turtle 1 f t �'"ry "i a t(:i f f,�¢ �.x.. �.s t...2 �a!ato:,l Placernent ,hcru d....
¢c lude ,tacking a � e d 2 2E tlr2 era, .. ..
include �..ff"� ri ,tri.�'��x� f f l�� 7attf"f fl..�t tl"�f'^ l��f"�1��/`!af l.' ' � ' tll"���cil'"f a.
(Code 1979, § 13-62;Ord. No.8-1994, §2; Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec. 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 directly, indirectly,2l LLIalat%„nely vNible fro n ally la.��fr tiol¢„' "' ' as
life ••of the•h nee t%l:t„...l..l;.n .shall be designed, positioned, modified,or removed so that:
a they al 2..�.2l]tx directed,ted,.fall c gtriff, fully ry,r��ry c�fck a:rc.� lncx�a�rt��,���k a,c c"`:.i t'oP.
tJig txLgrx lid or fff,f,lred flc"c"� �� a, rcr r �!^ r„��a �r � cx achieve the l-ninil-nal jrnoflllt of..:Y �'e ����
.. ,�u�...,ac .
p4 : ._ -.de+,)....a . .:....la4
S�
.. -IIG.11rninat'ion nec g,,;ar to f"aaint'ain r,affr't' afvl'� r,f?(:;;f1f"ft' pr�4.7-vJ d e-saq'� �l
r. The point source of light or any reflective surface of the light fixture is not dirg(tly, hr„i�kirrc tly,,gl-
c„ a"ua at„iae y a ,,�� � �u "1 any a.cticr c
w f. _
q"'..7tvn nesting of„nf.D."kyy..
'p...........................:.• _• _• " .y7....�.q,"'';s +4, •'dcrr`i"rrir"'i^s-ra•-Id•e=•'. " �yF.,... " " _.". " •e;k._. ".s4•�.j•••. .
a04/0+
�. �ri r^.,¢:w i'�::-•r•,w'••"`w"vr'• ... •r.�d r,,.q." •rrcwr•"v�a•q�a. r ,....• .,'. ... ....rl�v-q�a-,�W.rr..rJ.,�r. �.n,_
(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 lam ne,,tint„
b. Replacement of fixtures having an exposed light source with fixtures containing recessed light
sources or shields;
l.Pfvt�
." ....
C te.�7 ac h^2f',y ft'�vt..:,lPf1f c.P"ry.r... ftx vt "1f,,ll r l„tf �..ff"I7 t vat f,notuiva„ fry fryfvf'xt''l fry f�� fflc afrckfry,cf'fltr.
flux e,,c entr or lIigb illten,,ity ligbtillg) vVith the nBwest ua!attat„fr Igl] „\L`l fJlgngt„ly (g tr LED or Iovy
are,,sure cxck<wr.)..jigbt ,c;".lal c� c.ul.... fortlr�:�,..:,,�r�ryc�f�q��l�..alrlrl�c nt�cs��¢„•C��pP4a la�alr a. a�lalrlr�,....
.�: �iad hi�•h��J- atla� r�la• �. r.
.qac ., , ... _. `91I�,'.� i��...,-r+�."`,""-'�•�.,w'".•,••�..y..lc.�....���b•�::�:• H�•f:^•..rS•@F.."••• 7
v-ape+4-@ I:y:l.p.cy.D'
d. Replacement of nondirectional fixtures with completely shielded directional fixtures that point
down and away from --hP44 `I-wt t"art„.a.l:.2.2.;
(' Provide ,hield,, ...1Pf f,t'f+ll.ffry, Vf"«f'yvfry frorn the fl„fry, ffvg al-ea af..
f�lr ac f'dp...Beac ,,ide , field,, are to cover 270 d,egl-e,, and extend 7f'lovy the bottlPfn,,.edg� g tl"VG?,,.
fixture l..Sfl the ,f^aw!af d "«.fdfry ,l..S that t1P:a ig 2L f ' of the Ig
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cy.l..."-, ._,r a ,.. —r'kt— "; ".....r -d _,a _,_, }4cQcF9"Pf-Wg--r`.;N�--., ..r•..4r"k-'.d..`x....d4a• c`4'� .v_,i�'rc:.,iw�r`�"br ".�n.e.
Replacement of pole lamps with low-profile, low-level luminaries ,oUlat tlr..L....If.t„„I,]t ",;�,y�„" " "2l-"l]y
r ellec tive...:,u fac eof the..igl]l Li t„ure is not v^Nibl�1 ry� f... fr c.srn t' tei h
,h� b „f4 nestin a a�•��a�r='� •q
nuu a
..v4✓m-w..., .�..r•...cNi.y aep,444e I:q^.I....# "' ,
a ^i .. ,'•,`8� _, .._, '"1••�,-••�•$•�4'rx"�r"'`-r.,`.�{: -w•`q.� "a I•.�..'._, '"'. :�...�." a ��_, 'fi .a'�w•c':. a_,
���4�•",��v��$n q""`"r.,-rs'ri..." " ��:�8:}r-4�� ..i..l..^} 4��.;r.rri�^.,--i�'r✓"��'v:......, .., .1.e... "::�.D,
14.t„,,Planting or improvement of landscape vegetation Lam °' mp k- (e w itU e--I&R4
crut_,'" between the light source
and the beach to screen light from:t- _, (,4tl2 lle,,tilE aLgf ;
�. g " dune in compliance with the
.�e Construction o round eve barriers a�4c"klrua�ck ax :t�lfry beach a�4c.s ..l"a"�"�ta c"�„
land development regulations(section 1.1.8.6& 118-7 environmental design criteria)to shield light
sources from . eac--4t l2e ne,,t.l.29 a frya,
''•;I �I'"l C.f?I"I l P I"�\�,!I I'"I"1 I'"I"1 I I'"l I 7 C"%l h ww I"l l"� a"+"+l:.H(I a t f?l,� '7 C"%l P l"�f'(:� I r l"l C:I I'"l I I r l"l C:beach a („ , � f" ry c' h„lVry ,,..r r 7fry ","2f" i t2 ZaI " .fr
" f" I/( "r bw.w�I"f?a7�r at I'f",lll i"I"l P ai c"koff
.�4 ,r•:.
l' fV,f"ff"l�� r,f?a tfVf"C f?„1�,tf" r f "t,c'4 "" �t 7? turned e to n'.. � a"f..,."l tf "f..al
..,.
2' g r� r l '';' l2ng wrs,auufrylfryf�lgtb Lt"t"....lafrll�fV�f� f "It+ ,"Ia 7f" ...
�cl tiG„1f"Il"l�. r2f tf.V l"t f? llg` tff"l�...r ry r" .a, .., { " i rt
�� I .... � ,f�a,4xl�¢ tf��r�l�c�l�al�y wa!asl � �axl�f�...lt �til�t��x. axl�l�axap�kwa!ay c 4s1�, l�lwc t,laxl� and.
�i laf ed f„f ne ggl],c es shall be directed away f gl]2 tb" 2f ting al-ej to avoid illG„Vrninatf,on
r t" „" a e, , all be ,hiel avoid l P...1 B f c 1 f f f?(,,t V I r,I"7 I...f,t`r f f l B fTl t"l f�. f"l f�.;,;� f f"l�. o f f'^a �vrt�v�l B f„� f l B f"l f? .f 1 fTl f f"l o f f,.,''r r ..,, n r n.,.,.��f, �� t l B .
lif.LlE aLfrya,cx�:t ide of the irnm diat4
I k All other t'.elL2�2L'Ly .... ig I
l,m nclwive of all the standards lP this,xf?ctflBfl including fVr,ffv„''I ixtures t"14kt are lBfv',,,,
wa!avelelEtbr..p"kaxwal waal4s directed, (lull c lwtoff, and fully r,l]iel ked so l.igbt is not 4"kirec;,tlya".f
indirgctly vir,.,.lalfry (raxlrl the nf
` ` "� turtler V r , IIIIIIII� t li t 1 m i 1.
ll_. fVf"fvf�l'i lP during flf',p lttffTlf� ff1 r,f?a fvff,tfa x ,r�a,cxn fTIfV, �lC�..ff�, f"fc tr�l'i to the fTlff"IffTl."k..
ry a r a ... r l all the standards...of this Section,anl'�I.
a\/�rlax�u,�4t ��lf�cf�„„any a�4c.s , 4aff <<�lcax���cl�atf� a..,.
t"laf"l 2„ng ''t 2"JC4V2 a t"lfry l l„26 floor or de(L fT1ea,flffryl,u "¢fry"JC�ttk.t„nmuuu.
�c.s�� nuu.
..L. crn
f...f.L.�%.t..L...I...'.,....a..l�..d
}1fry��� `,r .ry
t�ilc tfry�,� t�,.It the ����"'�V���a "a'����,��.��rvlt c:ry �.����fV l"4t��,��rvl necessary„a� �t�,� �,„ry fV �,�rrn tot rvl e
a22llp:able cars"wtruct'.ion safety leg4 :uirer gent.:lf.:.
9•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;
4f n. Permanent removal of all floodlights, uplights,or spotlights used for decorative or accent
purposes;
I„Ir. Permanent removal or disabling of any fixture that cannot be brought into compliance with the
provisions of these standards;and
s?. 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
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(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 turn
their lights out between the hours of dusk until dawn. Further,the mayor may request utility
companies to shield or turn 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 )
Sec. 12-117. Standards for interior artificial lighting.
To prevent interior artificial lighting from illuminating the jurisdictional boundaries or adjacent waters during
the nesting season, measures such as, but not limited to,the following shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the
negative effects of new or existing interior light emanating from doors and windows:
(1) Interior artificial lighting within direct line-of-sight of the bP,,+ 4 nesting ai rya 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, i�,�k%.f����tly, c:.r
rialativ'ly visible a+�s ka c va t��;:...�1� e 4a+ a ii fi xir the ile,t'[29 ai rya;
b i--H- �s.....w..i.th4 4(..,, kl,,.54&4�.q:t....d+ c tqy-Y4Rd...r.&&4, . 4n=nu i d
C..:........................: �h..i..... aa••I•e § •Q i..rI, I�.. `
(2) Measures such as,but not limited to,the following shall be taken to reduce or eliminate the negative
effects of new or existing interior beachfront lighting through appropriate design:
a. Use of window treatments such as blackout draperies,shade-screens or blinds to shield interior
lights from the : -, hth ...i,ry .LI.i...y..l.:.2 ;
b. Installation of new windows that meet the standards for tinted glass or,for existing windows,an
application of window tint or film that meets the standards for tinted glass;
C. Turning off all unnecessary interior lights;
d. Arrangement of lamps and other moveable light fixtures away from windows;
e. Appropriate interior design to eliminate overhead lighting that could be d<<e(,,,
t!y.R....i..n���).f.I..i'.c...t.!..y.R....2.L
and
f. For new construction within line of sight of the beae4ne,ting al;y!i,tinted glass shall be installed
on all windows and glass doors of single or multistory structures.
(Code 1979, § 13-64;Ord. No.8-1994, §4; Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec.12-118.Standards for mechanical beach cleaning.
All mechanical beach cleaning activities designed to remove debris from the beach or redistribute debris on
the beach through the use of motorized vehicles or other mechanical means shall comply with the following
standards:
(1) Timing. Beach cleaning shall be confined to daylight hours during the nesting season.
(2) Mode of operations. During the nesting season (April 15 through October 31):
a. Beach cleaning operations shall be limited to the area seaward of the strand line(previous high
tide mark).
b. Light-weight motorized vehicles having wide, low-profile, low-pressure tires,or hand raking shall
be used to conduct beach cleaning operations.
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C. Devices used for removing debris from the beach shall be designed and/or operated such that
they do not penetrate beach substrate by more than two inches.
d. Operators shall be educated to identify a sea turtle crawl (turtle tracks),recognize and avoid a
sea turtle nest, report nests and/or crawls to a permitted agent of the state.
e. All excess raked material must be removed from the beach and disposed of properly or stored in
an upland area as approved by the director of environmental resources.With special approval
from the director of environmental resources and the state department of environmental
protection, limited quantities of organic material may be incorporated into the substrate in order
to enhance the beach/berm system.
(3) Coordination of beach cleaning operations with state-sanctioned scientific studies. All beach cleaning
operations shall be coordinated through the state to ensure that these operations do not interfere with
state-sanctioned scientific studies or surveys of sea turtle nesting activities.
(4) Authorization. Any person performing mechanical beach cleaning must have a current permit fromthe
Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the area being cleaned.
(Code 1979, § 13-65;Ord. No.8-1994, §5; Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Sec. 12-119. Protection from predation.
(a) No predatory pets or pets likely to have a potential for being disruptive or damaging to nesting turtles,
hatchlings,or nests shall be allowed to roam loose and unsupervised within the jurisdictional boundaries
during the nesting season.Such pets include,but are not limited to,dogs,cats,snakes,lizards or iguanas,
ferrets and pigs.
(b) Feeding of raccoons,opossums and other wild animals within the jurisdictional boundaries is prohibited.
(Code 1979, § 13-66;Ord. No.8-1994, §6; Ord. No. 10-1998, §1)
Sec. 12-120. Penalty.
(a) Violations of this article may be prosecuted in the same manner as misdemeanors are prosecuted. In such
cases,the violations shall be prosecuted in the name of the state in a court having jurisdiction over
misdemeanors by the prosecuting attorney thereof and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to
exceed $500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 60 days,or both such fine and
imprisonment.Violations may also be prosecuted through proceedings before the county code enforcement
special magistrate or through any other lawfully available means including civil and injunctive relief.
(b) The property owner and,where applicable, his designee,agent,tenant, lessee,or assignee,shall each be
held responsible for adherence to the provisions of this article.
(Code 1979, § 13-67;Ord. No.8-1994, §7; Ord. No. 10-1998, § 1)
Secs. 12-121-12-139. Reserved.
SECTION 2: SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid
or declared to be unconstitutional, inoperative or void, such holding shall not affect the
remaining portions of this ordinance. If this ordinance or any provision thereof shall be held to
be inapplicable to any person, property or circumstances, such holding shall not affect its
applicability to any other person, property or circumstances.
SECTION 3: CONFLICT WITH OTHER ORDINANCES. All ordinances or parts of
ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of said conflict.
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SECTION 4: INCLUSION IN CODE OF ORDINANCES. The provisions of this ordinance
shall be included and incorporated in the Code of Ordinances of the County of Monroe, Florida,
as an amendment thereto, and shall be appropriately numbered to conform to the uniform numbering
system of the Code.
SECTION 5: TRANSMITTAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be filed with
the Department of State and shall be effective as provided in Section 125.66(2), Florida Statutes.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a regular meeting of said Board held on the XXth day of , 2024.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting held on the xxtn day of , 2024.
Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein, District 5
Mayor Pro Tem James K. Scholl, District 3
Craig Cates, District 1
Michelle Lincoln, District 2
David Rice, District 4
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
MAYOR HOLLY MERRILL RASCHEIN
ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
APB jai
Dais; 4110/24
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