Decibel Limits: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers

Where is the decibel level measured from?

At or within the real property line of the receiving land, with the meter aimed at the sound source. The reading must be at least 5 dB above the ambient noise level to count.

Do pure tones or impulsive sounds change the limit?

Yes. A pure tone lowers the Table 1 limit by 5 dBA; a short impulsive sound raises the daytime limit by 10 dBA.

What is the decibel limit in Fort Myers?

There is no numeric decibel limit in the Fort Myers Code of Ordinances. Chapter 54, Article V uses qualitative standards: Sec. 54-196 treats any noise audible beyond the premises as a nuisance, and Sec. 54-197 (amended by Ordinance 4012 in 2024) prohibits 'loud and raucous' amplified sound and 'unreasonable noise disturbances.' Police and Code Enforcement do not need to take a sound-meter reading - the 2024 amendment specifically removed any practical on-scene measurement requirement to make enforcement easier.

How does Fort Myers prove a noise violation without a decibel reading?

Under Sec. 54-196 the standard is whether the noise is 'audible beyond the premises' of the person making it - officers or code-enforcement personnel can confirm that by ear from the receiving property or right-of-way. Under Sec. 54-197(c) (Ord. 4012, 2024), officers may proceed on a sworn complaint without taking a decibel reading. This is a deliberate policy choice driven by enforcement difficulty in the River District.