ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The City of St. Augustine City Commission approved a holiday lighting guidelines flyer, reminding property owners of municipal illumination standards ahead of the 2026–2027 Nights of Lights season.
The guidelines apply to commercial and institutional properties located within the city’s historic preservation districts.
The flyer serves as a reminder of requirements under City Code Section 3-23 (e) (6), which governs holiday illumination standards and display signs.
City officials requested the reminder after recent holiday lighting displays grew in intensity and variation, drawing criticism that some decorations diverged from the event’s traditional purpose of highlighting historic architecture with a warm, classic and consistent appearance.
Under the ordinance, commercial and institutional properties in historic preservation districts are restricted to warm white or clear lights only. Permitted lighting methods include wrapping pillars, staircases, tree trunks and tree canopies. Property owners may also outline windows, doorways, rooftops and archways, or use lighting to accentuate sidewalks, walkways and patios.
The regulations strictly prohibit flashing effects, moving lights, colored lights, bright white lights and LED displays. Property owners cannot form words, objects or patterns on vertical surfaces using lights. Inflatable, mechanical, cartoon character and figurine decorations are also prohibited.
Additionally, floodlights and spotlights must be aimed away from neighboring properties, motorists and pedestrians to control glare.
The designated display period for additional holiday lighting begins on the first Saturday of November and runs through the first Sunday of February, unless altered by City Commission resolution. Following the conclusion of the Nights of Lights season, property owners must remove any lights installed below 10 feet within 30 days.
Technical standards outlined in the guidelines mandate 18-2 commercial-grade line in green or white with exterior-grade insulation. Approved lighting relies on C-7 watt long-life bulbs featuring nickel backing in clear or warm white options.
City commissioners are distributing the guidelines flyer across the community in advance of the 2026–2027 Nights of Lights season.
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