Noise Ordinances in Tallahassee, FL

If you live in Tallahassee or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Tallahassee has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Barking Dogs

A dog, cat or other pet that habitually barks, whines, howls, crows or cackles in an excessive, continuous or untimely way is a public nuisance under Section 4-10(b)(1) of the Code of General Ordinances. Two or more neighbors can file affidavits, and repeat citations let the city attorney seek a court injunction, up to removal of the animal.

Key details: Nuisance definition: Habitual, excessive or untimely barking/howling. Complaint route: Affidavits from 2+ residents, different addresses. First violation: Written notice to abate, officer's discretion. Repeat trigger: 2 citations in 12 months allows injunction. Max remedy: Court order removing the animal.

A first substantiated complaint results in a written warning rather than a fine, giving the owner a chance to abate the barking. A citation follows further complaints, and two citations on the same premises within 12 months authorizes the city attorney to seek an injunction from the county court. General animal-violation fines under Section 4-52(c) start at $50.00 for a first infraction, $100.00 for a second, and $250.00 thereafter, on top of court costs.

Aircraft Noise

In Tallahassee's OA-1 Airport Vicinity District, LDC § 10-254 flatly precludes residential and other noise-sensitive uses on parcels beneath aircraft noise contours reaching 65 DNL or above off the runway ends of Tallahassee Regional Airport, steering that land instead toward office, lab, and limited commercial uses.

Key details: District: OA-1 Airport Vicinity District. Noise threshold: 65 DNL or above. Residential uses: precluded outright. Height/interference rule: FAR Part 77 compliance required. Max floor area: 20,000 sq ft per acre.

Building a residence or another noise-sensitive use in the OA-1 district without a rezoning, or a structure that fails the FAR Part 77 height and interference standards, is a Land Development Code violation. LDC § 1-7 punishes such violations with a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 60 days, or both, with each day a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.

Compared to other cities, Tallahassee takes a harder line on aircraft noise. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Quiet Hours

Tallahassee Code of General Ordinances § 12-94(b) sets a nighttime noise curfew inside the mapped Urban Core: any sound unreasonably loud, raucous, or jarring and plainly audible to an officer at 100 feet or more is unlawful between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Outside the Urban Core, the same audibility standard applies at any hour of the day under § 12-94(a).

Key details: Citation: § 12-94(b). Urban Core curfew: 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Outside Urban Core: 100-ft standard, any hour. Audibility threshold: 100 feet to officer. Fine schedule: $250/$350/$500 escalating.

A citation for breaching the 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Urban Core curfew (or the round-the-clock standard outside it) carries $250.00 for a first violation, $350.00 for a second, and $500.00 for a third or subsequent violation under § 12-96. Officers must normally offer a five-minute voluntary-compliance window before citing, except where the same person or property was already cited within the prior six months, which removes that grace period and allows an immediate citation.

The Bottom Line

Tallahassee'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 Tallahassee is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Tallahassee's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.