Landscape lighting
Landscape Lighting Tampa: Trees, Walks and Walls After Dark
4.7 170+ Google reviewsFree on-site estimatesOver 35 years creating Florida-friendly landscapes
Fixtures from Garden Light and VOLT, a quote from Doug after he walks your yard, and night lighting demos on request.
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Landscape lighting in Tampa starts with a transformer. It steps household power down to a low voltage, such as 12 to 15 volts, and cable carries that power to fixtures aimed at trees, walls and walks. A photocell or timer switches them on and off. Medscapes offers landscape lighting with Garden Light and VOLT fixtures, and Doug Wilson writes the quote after a free on-site estimate.
- Fixtures
- Garden Light and VOLT
- Transformer load
- VOLT advises 80 percent at most
- Florida law
- Plug-in low-voltage lighting that needs no wiring change is exempt from Part II, FS 489.503(24)
- Estimate
- Free and on site
What sits behind a lit tree: the five parts of a low-voltage system
A low-voltage system has five parts. Transformer load and cable run length decide how many fixtures the rest can feed.
- Transformer: steps household power down to a low voltage, such as 12 to 15 volts. Kichler, another lighting manufacturer, says to place it within 8 feet of a GFCI outlet and at least 12 inches above the ground.
- Cable: carries the power from the transformer to the fixtures, in one or more runs.
- Connectors: join each fixture's lead to the cable. VOLT lists clamp-connect junctions as a way to protect the joint from moisture and corrosion.
- Fixtures: path lights, well lights and spotlights, each with a wattage that counts against the transformer.
- Control: a photocell, timer or Wi-Fi control at the transformer.
A Medscapes lighting job: quote, design fees, permits and 811
- Quote
- The on-site estimate is free. Doug Wilson walks the yard and writes the quote himself. Ask for a night lighting demo before you decide.
- Design fees
- Hand sketches are free on approved projects. 2D and 3D designs are priced per project, and half the design fee goes toward the installation.
- Permits and 811
- We pull the permits your job needs. We call Sunshine 811 before digging on every job that needs it. VOLT's installation guide says low-voltage cable is typically buried at least 6 inches deep, so a lighting run means digging.
Florida's electrical licensing law: what the plug-in lighting exemption covers
As of November 2026, Florida Statutes 489.503(24) says that Part II of chapter 489, which covers electrical and alarm system contracting, does not apply to a person who installs low-voltage landscape lighting that contains a factory-installed electrical cord with plug and does not require installation, wiring or other modification to the electrical wiring of a structure.
Two conditions in that wording decide whether it fits: the lighting comes with a factory-installed cord and plug, and putting it in needs no modification to a structure's electrical wiring. A system that needs a new circuit, or a transformer wired into the building's wiring, does not meet the second condition.
Sources: Florida Statutes 489.503; Florida Statutes 556.105, Sunshine 811 notice; Florida Statutes 556.108, notice exemptions; Florida Statutes 720.3035, HOA review.
Transformer load: VOLT advises 80 percent, Kichler counts the full rating
VOLT recommends loading a transformer to no more than 80 percent of its rated wattage, a 20 percent buffer. Kichler's guide says the total should not exceed the transformer's wattage. Voltage also falls along a cable run, so the last fixture receives less than the first.
| Compared on | Kichler guide | VOLT guide |
|---|---|---|
| Load limit | Total VA at or below the transformer wattage: 300 VA needs at least 300 W | 80 percent of the rating: 100 W of LED fixtures fits a 150 W unit, which has 120 W usable |
| Voltage at the last fixture | Its voltage-drop calculation should give more than 10 V, from taps of 12 V to 15 V | VOLT's LED fixtures work from 8 V to 15 V; on a daisy chain the first light may get 12 V and the last 9 V |
Sources: Kichler, project load size; VOLT, lighting plan guide.
Walks, trees, walls and beds: how each one gets its light
The VOLT and Kichler guides below treat each target with its own fixture type and aim.
Walks and paths
VOLT says path lights project their light downward, and most carry a shade or glare guard so it falls on the ground instead of into people's eyes. Its design tip: light a path from both sides and stagger the fixtures in a zigzag instead of lining them up across from each other. VOLT spaces fixtures so the light overlaps on an uneven or dim path, and farther apart, in pools, on an even path that already has some ambient light.
Large trees
Kichler calls tree uplighting dramatic and downlighting subtle, and says one tree can take both. In its downlighting steps for a large deciduous tree, one accent light goes at least 4 feet above the lowest tier of branches and points down; Kichler calls about 20 to 25 feet above the ground ideal.
Walls, beds and turf
Kichler describes wall washing as a subtle, low amount of light across a wide area close to the structure, and grazing as a way to add depth and dimension to stucco, brick or stonework. VOLT says well lights sit flush with or below ground level and suit turf areas.
Sources: Kichler, tree lighting; Kichler, lighting techniques; VOLT, path and area lights; VOLT, introduction to landscape lighting.
Warm, shielded and aimed down: keeping glare off the neighbors' windows
DarkSky International (the International Dark-Sky Association, or IDA) and the Illuminating Engineering Society name five principles: useful, targeted (shielded and aimed down), low level, controlled and warm-colored.
Color temperature
The IDA's April 2020 home guide treats 3000 K or lower as warm and calls 2700 K or lower a good home option. Kichler recommends 2700 K warm white for cedar, natural stone and warm-toned foliage, with an oak as its example.
Shields and aim
The IDA guide defines a fully shielded fixture as one that sends all its light below horizontal, so the lamp is not visible below the shield. It also says to direct light down, not up into the sky, and that the light source should not be visible from beyond your property.
VOLT's installation guide says to wait until nighttime for the final aiming and to fix glare by changing the fixture angle or repositioning its glare guard.
Photocell or timer
Kichler describes a photocell as a sensor that turns lights on when it gets dark and off when it gets bright outside, so it runs from dusk to dawn. The IDA guide strongly discourages dusk-to-dawn sensors because they release light when it is not needed. Kichler describes a digital timer as one that holds on and off times for each day of the week and adjusts for daylight saving time.
Sources: DarkSky, five principles; IDA home lighting guide, April 2020 (hosted by Fairfax County); Kichler, design tips; Kichler, tree lighting; Kichler, transformer control options.
Corrosion, splices and water ratings: what to check on a fixture
- Metal
- VOLT says corrosion is the most common cause of fixture failure over time, and it advises solid brass or copper construction.
- Splices
- VOLT advises inspecting wire connections once a year, with extra attention to splice points.
- Water ratings
- The IEC's IP code gives a two-numeral rating in place of vague terms like waterproof: solids on a scale of 0 to 6, liquids on a scale of 0 to 9. VOLT lists one of its in-grade lights as IP68 and submersible.
- Safety standard
- UL names UL 1838 as the standard for low-voltage landscape lighting. It says the output of the power units is limited to 15 Vac or 30 Vdc, which it describes as presenting no risk of electric shock under wet conditions, so the fixtures need evaluation for fire risk only. UL evaluates the power units for fire and shock.
Sources: VOLT, installation guide; VOLT, in-grade light listing; IEC, IP ratings; UL, landscape luminaires.
Clearwater and Pinellas beachfront lighting during sea turtle season
As of November 2026, Pinellas County says sea turtle nesting and hatching season runs from May 1 through October 31, and 12 of its 13 barrier island municipalities have light ordinances. The county asks beachfront lighting to be low, long wavelength (amber or red) and shielded, and off after sunset when visible from the beach in season.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says appropriate wildlife lighting meets all three of its criteria: mount fixtures as low as possible and use the lowest wattage necessary, use long wavelength light above 560 nanometers (amber, orange or red LEDs), and use fixtures that meet full cutoff and keep the lamp from being directly visible. In its June 8, 2026 notice, the City of Clearwater asked residents along the beach to keep lights low or off through October 31, the end of the 2026 nesting season.
Medscapes works across Pinellas County. Pinellas County points beachfront owners to their own city's lighting ordinance, so check it before choosing fixtures.
Sources: Pinellas County, sea turtles; City of Clearwater, nesting season; FWC, wildlife lighting.
Landscape lighting across Tampa Bay
Medscapes is based in Wesley Chapel and works across Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, from Land O' Lakes and Odessa to Lutz, New Tampa and Tampa.
- Wesley Chapel
- Lutz
- Land O' Lakes
- Odessa
- Trinity
- New Tampa
- Tampa
- Westchase
- Carrollwood
Daytime job photos: walks, palms and house fronts
Walks, palms and house fronts from Medscapes jobs, all photographed by day. More in the gallery.
What customers say about working with Doug and the crew
4.7170+ reviews on GoogleDoug & his team listen, interpret and work their magic. They turned a barren back yard into warm, beautiful, grandchild-friendly natural-looking zones. Crews are efficient, careful, thorough and personable. WOW every time Medscapes provides a service.
Mary Jane Gwyn Google review, 2022
We had a Great Experience with Medscapes. Doug was amazing! He worked with us on a Landscaping design of our entire front and side yards. He made lots of suggestions on plants he would recommend. He and his team selected the plants, and installed them. They worked with us on any tweaks we wanted to make after the install. …
Phyllis Sacone Google review, 2023
Doug made the process of understanding what was needed and developing a plan very easy. The crews doing the clean up and new plantings were timely, pleasant, and conscious of making sure things were done right. I've also been very pleased with the weekly lawn maintenance services and their efforts in keeping the yard looking great. …
Pedro Fierro Google review, 2023
Our lawn has seriously never looked better. We love the hard working employees and business owner so much that we've recommended their exceptional service to our entire community, friends and family!! They are professional and very thorough. Providing us with an entrancing lawn we can enjoy all year round. …
Savannah Google review, 2018
The crew was very professional and worked hard throughout the day to make sure the job was done. The front yard looks way better and I can’t wait to see how some of these beautiful plants grow! Everyone was very responsive to questions throughout the process and it was all handled in a timely manner! …
Michelle V. Crespo-Melendrez Google review, 2023
I moved into my house in July 2022, and it desperately needed landscaping and some curb appeal. Medscapes was one of the few landscaping companies that actually responsed and showed up for an estimate. …
Danielle Brant Google review, 2022
Landscape lighting questions
Not answered here? Call (813) 382-5801 or book a free on-site estimate.
Does Florida require an electrical license to install low-voltage landscape lighting?
As of November 2026, FS 489.503(24) says that Part II of chapter 489, electrical and alarm system contracting, does not apply to a person who installs low-voltage landscape lighting that contains a factory-installed electrical cord with plug and does not require installation, wiring or other modification to the electrical wiring of a structure. The exemption does not reach lighting that needs that wiring work on a building.
What affects the cost of residential landscape lighting?
Fixture count and type, total wattage and the transformer size it calls for, cable length and gauge, the number of runs, canopy lights that need tree-mount junction boxes and wire run up a trunk, well lights in turf, the controls, and the design. Hand sketches are free on approved projects, and 2D and 3D designs are priced per project. Doug quotes after walking the yard.
Can I add more lights later?
Only while the total stays within the transformer's limit and the voltage at the end of the run holds. Under VOLT's 80 percent rule, 100 W of fixtures on a 150 W transformer leaves 20 W, room for four more 5 W LED fixtures. Each addition lowers the voltage at the run's end.
Does my HOA have a say over landscape lighting?
As of November 2026, for a homeowners' association under chapter 720, your community's declaration and published guidelines decide how far its review reaches. FS 720.3035(1)(a) allows an association to review the location, size, type or appearance of a structure or improvement only to the extent those documents state or reasonably imply that authority. Ask your association for its declaration and architectural guidelines before the estimate.
Does a lighting trench need a call to Sunshine 811?
Yes, with narrow exceptions. As of November 2026, Florida law requires notice at least 2 full business days before excavation, and the notice stays valid for 30 calendar days. The owner exemption in section 556.108 covers digging by the owner of a single-family property, or for that owner by a Sunshine 811 member operator or its agent, entirely on that land and no deeper than 10 inches, with due care and no encroachment on any member operator's right-of-way, easement or permitted use. We call Sunshine 811 before digging on every job that needs it.
How close can the transformer sit to a pool?
Kichler's guide asks for at least 10 feet between the transformer and any pool or pond. VOLT's installation guide asks for at least 30 feet from any water feature. If you use a VOLT transformer, plan to the longer distance; the instructions with your unit decide.
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Book a free on-site lighting estimate
Doug Wilson walks the yard and writes the quote himself, and you can ask for a night lighting demo before you decide. Licensed and insured, with references available on request.
- 1Call or book online
- 2Doug walks the yard with you
- 3You get a written quote
Book a free on-site estimateCall (813) 382-5801
Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM · Based in Wesley Chapel