The group taking over the North Rustico lighthouse has submitted its business plan. (CBC)

The federal government wants groups taking over P.E.I. lighthouses to submit their business plans by June.

The federal government is handing over 34 lighthouses on P.E.I. to community groups, but the handover is contingent on a satisfactory business plan.

Twelve groups have already submitted their business proposals for their local lighthouses. The groups originally had until May 2015 to submit their businesses proposals, but now the federal government is asking for the proposals by June.

Carol Livingstone, president of the P.E.I. Lighthouse Society, said the groups need to know what they're getting into.

"There's no point in getting a lighthouse, then four years down the road thinking, 'Oh my goodness, what have we taken on?'" said Livingstone.

"It's better to look at it all ahead of time and make plans as to how you're going to meet these costs and responsibilities."

There are only three decommissioned Island lighthouses not being taken over by a community.