Florida’s Turtle Code: Window Tinting for Beachfront Properties

Living on Florida’s coast means sharing your backyard with some of nature’s most amazing creatures, sea turtles. Each year, these endangered turtles return to our beaches to nest, but artificial light from homes can confuse hatchlings, lead them away from the ocean, and even confuse the nesting sea turtles from coming ashore at all. This is why Florida’s Turtle Code requires beachfront properties to limit the amount of light visible from the beach, especially during nesting season.

Sea turtles rely on natural light cues, including the moon and stars reflecting off the ocean, to find their way to the water. Artificial lights from windows and doors can disorient both nesting females and hatchlings. This can put them in a state of confusion and lead the turtles inland instead of toward the ocean. These lights can put them at risk of dehydration, predation, or even death on roads in developed areas.

What You Can Do

Florida’s Turtle Code requires beachfront property owners to reduce visible indoor lighting during nesting season, which runs from May through October. These turtles have been nesting on Florida’s beaches for millions of years, and their survival depends heavily on our efforts to reduce human impacts. Installing window tint is one of the easiest and most effective ways to comply with the Turtle Code. At Suntamers, we can install these turtle-friendly window tints for you that can help block excess artificial light. These window tints can help protect hatchlings find their way safely to the ocean.

Complying with Florida’s Turtle Code by installing window tint is more than just following a regulation, it is a commitment to protecting Florida’s unique wildlife. Every property that takes this step plays a crucial role in giving sea turtles a better chance at life. It can also help preserve these endangered species for generations to come, supporting the health of Florida’s coastal ecosystems.