Hollywood's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Hollywood, Florida, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Any nonresidential establishment in Hollywood playing amplified live or recorded music must install a noise level detection device to alert staff, and a business cited twice in 30 days for exceeding the nighttime nonresidential decibel limit must roll its closing hours back to 10:00 p.m. for 30 days.

Key details: Detection device required: amplified live or recorded music venues. Closing-hours penalty trigger: 2+ violations of § 100.02(F)(1) in 30 days. Forced closing time: 10:00 p.m. for 30 days. Related license tool: extended-hours license denial, § 113.26.

Beyond the standard $100/$500/$1,000 escalating fines in § 100.09(B), a nonresidential property adjudicated twice within 30 days for exceeding the § 100.02(F)(1) nighttime limit must close at 10:00 p.m. for the next 30 days, and the city may separately deny an extended-hours license under § 113.26 or seek injunctive relief for recurring violators.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Hollywood actively enforces its amplified music & outdoor sound requirements.

Barking Dogs

Hollywood makes it unlawful to keep a dog that howls, yelps or barks excessively enough to disturb the sleep, peace or quietude of any inhabitant, under § 92.17. It's a civil infraction, not a criminal charge, with penalties starting at $50 for a first offense and rising to $200 for each additional violation within a year.

Key details: Standard: Excessive barking disturbing an inhabitant's peace. Violation type: Civil infraction, not criminal. First offense penalty: $50 civil penalty. Repeat offense penalty: $100, then $200 each after. Unpaid citation risk: Court judgment up to $500.

A § 92.17 barking-dog violation is a civil infraction under § 92.99(G): $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, and $200 for each additional violation within a one-year period. Failing to pay or contest a citation in time waives the right to challenge it and exposes the owner to a court judgment of up to $500.

Construction Hours

Construction, alteration, repair, excavation or demolition work in Hollywood is limited to 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, and is barred entirely on Sundays absent a written exception from the Chief Building Official.

Key details: Weekday hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Saturday hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Sunday: no construction work permitted. Emergency exception: written approval, Chief Building Official. First-offense fine: $100.

Construction noise outside the permitted hours is enforced under Chapter 100's general penalty schedule in § 100.09: up to $100 for a first violation, up to $500 for a second within six months, and up to $1,000 per occurrence for a third or later violation, with each day of continuing work outside the window counted as a separate violation.

Vehicle Noise

Playing a car stereo, radio or other audio device on a Hollywood street, sidewalk, park or beach is illegal once it interferes with peaceful enjoyment at more than 30 feet from the source. The rule sits in the noise chapter alongside the general decibel and quiet-hours limits.

Key details: Covers: radios, stereos, amplifiers in vehicles. Location: public streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches. Distance trigger: audible beyond 30 feet. First-offense fine: $100.

A first § 100.04 violation may draw a fine up to $100, a second within six months up to $500, and a third or later violation in that period up to $1,000 per occurrence under § 100.09, with each day treated as a separate violation and arrest available as an enforcement tool.

Decibel Limits

Hollywood caps sound at the property line on a sliding scale: 80 dBA on nonresidential land during the day, dropping to 75 dBA at night, and 65 dBA by day on residential land, falling to 55 dBA overnight. Code Compliance and police enforce the limits with a sound level meter.

Key details: Nonresidential day limit: 80 dBA/80 dBC. Nonresidential night limit: 75 dBA/75 dBC. Residential day limit: 65 dBA/65 dBC. Residential night limit: 55 dBA/55 dBC. Measured at: real property line, ~5 ft high.

A first violation of Chapter 100 draws up to a $100 fine, a second within six months up to $500, and a third or later violation in that six-month window up to $1,000 per occurrence, with each calendar day of a continuing violation counted separately under § 100.09. The city can also pursue injunctive relief for recurring violations (three notices in 60 days) and may enforce by arrest.

Quiet Hours

Hollywood's quiet hours run from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on residential property, capping any continuous sound source at 55 dBA or 55 dBC measured at the property line. The rule sits in its own section of the noise chapter, separate from the general decibel table.

Key details: Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Applies to: residential property. Decibel cap: 55 dBA or 55 dBC. Measured at: real property line. First-offense fine: $100.

Fines escalate under § 100.09: $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second within six months, and up to $1,000 per occurrence for a third or later offense in that six-month window, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. Three notices of violation within 60 days is treated as 'recurring,' opening the door to injunctive relief; arrest is also an available enforcement option.

The Bottom Line

Hollywood's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Hollywood is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Hollywood can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.