According to FAC 69A-43.018 (cited in Walton County's official fire safety FAQ), one- and two-family dwellings licensed as public lodging establishments must have battery-powered emergency lighting that illuminates the primary exit for a minimum duration.
According to the same FAC section, emergency lighting is part of a broader set of fire safety standards for vacation rentals that also includes:
FAC 69A-43.018 applies specifically to "one and two family dwellings, recreational vehicles and mobile homes licensed as public lodging establishments." If your vacation rental has a DBPR license (required for any rental under 30 days more than 3 times per year), this section applies to you.
The requirement can be satisfied with standalone battery-powered emergency light units (the kind you see in commercial hallways, typically $15-40 per unit). These plug into a standard outlet, charge continuously, and activate automatically during a power outage. They don't need to be hardwired into the building's electrical system.
For multi-story properties, place emergency lighting to illuminate the path from each sleeping area to the primary exit, including any stairwells. A single unit near the main exit may suffice for a single-story property; multi-story homes will need one per level.
Emergency lights are battery-powered devices. Batteries degrade over time, and guests occasionally unplug units that have indicator lights they find annoying at night. Your turnover team should verify:
Walton County FAQ: Fire Safety Standards for Vacation Rentals (citing FAC 69A-43.018, verified April 2026)