Council restricts residential sports-court lighting to daylight hours after neighbor complaints

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Following multiple complaints about a tall sports-court light and late-night noise in a residential neighborhood, the Punta Gorda City Council voted Feb. 25 to prohibit recreational residential sports-court lighting after dusk, with an immediate effective date while staff drafts fuller land-development language.

Background: Zoning staff explained that the code does not specifically regulate residential sports courts and that existing lighting standards are focused on nonresidential uses. Residents said recent installations include professional-grade 25-foot lights that are bright enough to cause “light pollution” across canals and disturb neighbors.

Resident testimony: One resident described lights that “reflect across the canal into my property” and said, “I can’t even see stars at night,” asking the council to require court lights be shut off at night. Others urged the council to distinguish casual yard play from activity on engineered sports courts.

Council action: After a broad discussion about grandfathering, impervious-surface limits, and how to define permitted uses, council voted to restrict recreational residential sports-court lighting to use between 8 a.m. and dusk; the council also voted to make that restriction effective immediately while staff returns with draft LDR language to define sports courts, permitted lighting and enforcement measures.

Next steps: Staff will draft code language detailing definitions, permitted materials, setbacks, lighting heights, and a pathway for existing courts to come into compliance. Council asked staff to return with recommended text and enforcement options.

Quote: Resident Deborah said the 25-foot lights are “massive” and requested that court lights be extinguished when play ends to protect neighbors’ quality of life.

Outcome: New immediate restriction on residential sports-court lighting after dusk; staff to draft long-term code amendments.