Lighting Regulations in Pembroke Pines, Florida: Balancing Growth, Safety, and Community Aesthetics

Introduction

Pembroke Pines, officially incorporated in 1960, has experienced significant growth and transformation over the decades. Named for Pembroke Road and the area's native pine trees, the city saw dramatic expansion following Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when many displaced residents from southern Miami-Dade County relocated here.

Today, as a thriving suburban community with a focus on family-friendly living, Pembroke Pines carefully regulates exterior lighting to balance safety, aesthetics, and quality of life concerns. These regulations reflect the city's commitment to managing growth in a way that preserves community character while accommodating modern development.

Quick Reference Guide to Pembroke Pines Lighting Regulations

Key Technical Requirements:

• Maximum illumination: 12 footcandles (f.c.) with minimum average of 2 f.c.
• Maximum illumination at property line: 0.5 f.c.
• Maximum pole height: 30 feet for private outdoor surface lot lighting
• Color Correlated Temperature (CCT) limits:
• Commercial/Industrial zones (B-2, B-3, C-1, I-L, I-M, I-H): Maximum 4,000K
• Other zones (B-1, PO, A, U, A-E, R-R, REC, CF): Maximum 3,000K
• Residential common areas: Maximum 3,000K
• Natural/environmentally sensitive areas: Maximum 3,000K
• Full cutoff fixtures required: For any lamp with initial output ≥2,000 lumens

General Lighting Standards

Purpose and Design Philosophy

Pembroke Pines requires exterior lighting to enhance a building or project's visual impact while providing safe, efficient illumination. Lighting designs must avoid creating "hot spots, glare, obtrusive light, light pollution, light trespass, and visual nuisance" while effectively accentuating architectural elements and landscape features.

Guiding Principles

The city's lighting regulations are built around several core principles:

• Consistency: Lighting designs must maintain a consistent approach within each site
• Minimizing impact: Lighting should minimize trespass/pollution impacts on neighboring properties and natural habitats
• Energy conservation: Designs should conserve energy and resources to the greatest extent possible
• Safety and utility: While being environmentally responsible, lighting must ensure safety, security, utility, and enjoyment

Documentation Requirements

For new developments or significant lighting changes, the following are required:

• Exterior lighting plan with photometric analysis prepared by a licensed professional engineer
• Fixture specifications including cut sheets and descriptions of lenses
• Compliance certification with the current edition of the IES Lighting Handbook
• Letter of compliance from a registered engineer or architect after installation

Commercial and Non-Residential Lighting Requirements

Installation Standards

All commercial and non-residential lighting must meet these specific requirements:

• Equipment quality: All lighting must be commercial quality and listed with a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
• Height restriction: Pole-mounted outdoor lighting limited to 30 feet in height
• Light containment: Illumination must be installed with house side shields and reflectors to confine light rays to the premises
• Time controls required: Lighting must incorporate time controls and dimmers to reduce light levels by at least 25% after business hours

Special Commercial Areas

Canopied Areas:

• Must use recessed or cut-off fixtures
• Maximum 24 f.c. at grade under canopies
• Maximum to minimum ratio of 2:1

Building Illumination:

• Limited to wall washer fixtures or up-lights that don't produce spill light or glare
• Sag lenses, convex lenses, and drop lenses prohibited

Residential Common Area Lighting

Common areas such as clubhouses, guardhouses, entry features, pool areas, and private residential parks have specific requirements:

• Full cutoff fixtures: Required for any lamp with initial output ≥2,000 lumens
• CCT limitation: Maximum 3,000K color temperature
• Featured up-lighting: Allowed for landscaping, buildings, and water features if light sources are completely shielded from public view
• Street lighting for private roads: Must deliver illumination equal to public roads but not less than average illumination of 0.5 footcandle

Examples of 2,000+ Lumen Light Sources

• 100 watt standard incandescent
• 15 watt cool white fluorescent
• 15 watt compact fluorescent
• 18 watt LED fluorescent
• 20 watt warm white LED light bulb

Outdoor Dining and Retail Lighting

Outdoor dining areas have unique lighting considerations:

• Decorative elements: Lighting must be decorative and complement the architectural character of the building
• Scale appropriateness: Lighting must be installed at a scale appropriate for the outdoor dining area
• Height limitation: Lighting cannot extend beyond the roof line of the primary building
• Boundaries: Lighting shall not expand beyond the approved outdoor dining area
• Public property: Lighting shall not be affixed to public property or landscaping

Natural Areas and Environmental Considerations

Lighting in Environmentally Sensitive Areas

For natural areas, preserves, and environmentally sensitive zones:

• Maximum 3,000K CCT
• Adaptive techniques required: Including dimmers, shielding, anti-glare filters, and time controls
• Amber colored LEDs encouraged where possible in the design

Tree and Landscaping Considerations

• Property owners must maintain trees so they don't interfere with street light illumination
• Trees cannot be planted closer than 20 feet from a street light pole
• Shade trees must be located a minimum of 15 feet from streetlights
• Palms and small trees must be located a minimum of 7'6" away from street lights

Prohibited Lighting

The following lighting types are explicitly prohibited in Pembroke Pines:

• High intensity lighting such as aerial lasers and 'searchlight' style lights
• Low pressure sodium lighting
• Mercury vapor lamps
• Search lights, laser source lights, strobe or flashing lights
• Lighting that could be confused for a traffic control device
• Blinking, flashing, moving, flickering, or color-changing lights
• Any exposed lamp or bulb visible from the property boundary
• Unshielded accent building mounted luminous tube
• Lighting used to internally illuminate an awning
• Sag lenses, convex lenses, and drop lenses
• Exposed neon tubes or bare bulb signs in windows

Supporting Pembroke Pines' Lighting Vision

At Bock Lighting, we understand the unique balance Pembroke Pines strives to maintain between modern development needs and preserving the character that makes the city special. As a manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, we appreciate the importance of lighting that enhances community aesthetics while meeting safety and efficiency requirements.

We share Pembroke Pines' commitment to responsible lighting practices that minimize light pollution and energy waste while maximizing functionality. Our experience with projects that respect community character and local regulations positions us to serve as a resource for property owners navigating lighting requirements.

Our understanding of regional architectural styles and lighting needs allows us to provide guidance that aligns with Pembroke Pines' vision for growth that honors community values. We're committed to supporting sustainable lighting practices that contribute to the high quality of life that makes Pembroke Pines an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

Conclusion

Pembroke Pines' lighting regulations reflect the city's thoughtful approach to managing growth while maintaining community character. By establishing clear standards for illumination levels, fixture types, and color temperature, these regulations help ensure that exterior lighting enhances safety and aesthetics without creating nuisances or environmental problems.

Property owners and developers should consult the full regulations and work with qualified professionals to ensure compliance with these requirements. By following these guidelines, residents and businesses can contribute to Pembroke Pines' vision of a well-designed, family-friendly community that balances development with quality of life considerations.