Why Does Florida Have Turtle-Friendly Window and Door Requirements?

Every year, Florida’s pristine beaches become the nesting grounds for thousands of sea turtles. From May through October, these turtles emerge from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean to lay their eggs on the sandy shores. Hatchlings instinctively move toward the brightest horizon—which, naturally, is the open sea reflecting moonlight and starlight. Unfortunately, artificial lighting from coastal homes can disorient these young turtles, leading them away from the ocean and putting them at serious risk.

To protect this delicate balance, Florida has implemented stringent "turtle code" regulations to minimize artificial lighting from homes and buildings near turtle nesting beaches. Specifically, windows and doors must meet certain visible light transmittance (VLT) requirements. But what exactly does this mean, and how can homeowners and contractors ensure compliance?

In this guide, we'll break down Florida’s statewide turtle-friendly glazing requirements, explain why these rules are essential for wildlife protection, and explore the technology and methods contractors use to achieve compliance.

Understanding Florida’s Statewide Turtle Code

According to the Florida Building Code, specifically Section 3109, windows, doors, and other glazing within direct view (line-of-sight) of sea turtle nesting beaches must have tinted glass with a visible light transmittance (VLT) of 45% or less. The critical factor here isn't distance—it's visibility. If interior lighting from your property is visible from the nesting area, your glazing must meet these standards (

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) supports this by emphasizing the importance of low-transmittance glazing to protect nesting turtles and hatchlings (

Why is Visible Light Transmittance Dangerous for Wildlife?

Sea turtle hatchlings have evolved to follow the brightest horizon, typically the ocean illuminated by natural moonlight. Artificial lights from coastal homes can cause hatchlings to move inland instead, making them vulnerable to predators, dehydration, and roadways. By reducing the amount of visible light that passes through windows and doors, turtle-friendly glazing helps mitigate this issue, guiding hatchlings safely toward the ocean.

Technologies to Achieve Turtle-Friendly Compliance