10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Lee County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Lee County, residential noise may not exceed 66 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., dropping to 55 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured at the receiving property line. Incorporated cities set their own rules.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Six(A), Table 1 (Code Ch. 24¼)
Residential, public space, or agricultural: 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. 66 dBA; 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. 55 dBA. No person shall operate any source of sound so as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth for the receiving land use category when measured at or within the real property line.
Lee County requires mufflers on power construction equipment and limits noise to the Table 1 land-use cap. 24-hour equipment (pumps, generators) near homes must be shielded from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless it stays under 55 dBA.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Six(A)(3)(b)
Construction equipment that must be operated near a residential use on a 24-hour-per-day basis (i.e., pumps, well tips, generators, etc.) will be shielded by a barrier to reduce the noise during the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. unless the unshielded noise level is less than fifty-five (55) dBA, as measured from at or within the real property line of any residential receiving land.
The Lee County Noise Control Ordinance treats persistent barking as a prohibited 'noise disturbance' judged by volume, duration and proximity to sleeping areas. Sustained barking that unreasonably disturbs neighbors can be cited by the Sheriff's Office; animal-nuisance rules are in Ch. 14.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Six(B)
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, cause, or permit any noise disturbance. Standards to be considered include the volume of the noise... the time of day or night the noise occurs... the duration of the noise... the proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities.
Lee County does not ban leaf blowers. The Noise Control Ordinance expressly exempts lawn care, mowers, domestic power tools and tree trimming when used between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., so daytime leaf-blower use is allowed. Outside those hours it can be a noise disturbance.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Seven(E)
Noise created by operation of equipment or conduct of activities normal to residential or agricultural communities such as lawn care, soil cultivation, domestic power tools, lawn mowers, maintenance of trees, hedges, gardens, saws and tractors... between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Amplified music, including low-frequency bass, is covered by the Lee County Noise Control Ordinance. It must stay within the Table 1 dBA limits (55 dBA at night in residential areas) and may be cited as a noise disturbance regardless of decibel reading.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Four (Definitions: Noise)
Noise: Any sound which annoys or disturbs humans or causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological effect on humans. "Noise" includes low frequency sounds caused by amplified bass music that can result in vibration of structures or persons.
Lee County's noise ordinance expressly exempts noise from operation of all Lee County airports. Aircraft-in-flight noise is regulated by the federal FAA, not the county. Complaints go to the airport authority (RSW/Page Field), not the Sheriff's Office.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Seven(D)
The following will not be considered a violation of this ordinance:... Noise created by the operation of all Lee County Airports.
Manufacturing and industrial land in unincorporated Lee County is capped at 75 dBA at all times at the receiving property line. Where industry predates encroaching homes, the higher industrial limit can apply to those homes as an affirmative defense.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Six(A), Table 1 & (A)(2)
Manufacturing or industrial: At all times 75 (dBA)... In instances where an industrial or commercial use was established prior to and in an area away from a residential use and encroachment of the residential use has occurred... the sound level limit for the receiving residential use will be that of the commercial or industrial use.
Lee County sets numeric dBA caps: residential 66 dBA day / 55 dBA night; commercial 72 day / 65 night; industrial 75 at all times. Measured at the receiving property line, at least 5 dB above ambient, with a type-2 A-weighted meter.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Six(A), Table 1
Table 1 — Sound Levels by Receiving Land Use: Residential, public space, or agricultural: 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. 66; 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. 55. Commercial or business: 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. 72; 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. 65. Manufacturing or industrial: at all times 75 (dBA).
Outdoor music in unincorporated Lee County must meet the Table 1 limits (66 dBA day / 55 dBA night in residential areas) and can be cited as a noise disturbance. Events exceeding limits need a written waiver from the County Manager, valid up to 180 days.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Eight (Waivers)
Applications for a waiver for relief from the maximum allowable noise level limits designated in this Ordinance shall be made in writing... to the County Manager or designee... Waivers may be issued for no longer than one hundred eighty (180) days, renewable by further application to the County Manager or designee.
Lee County's Noise Control Ordinance covers vehicle-related noise through its general sound-level limits and noise-disturbance standard, but exempts safety alarms (backup and vehicle-motion alarms). Loud exhaust and revving near homes at night can exceed the 55 dBA residential cap.
Lee County Ord. 14-18, Sec. Seven(F)
Noise resulting from safety features required by law for equipment or operations, including, but not limited to, backup alarms or vehicle motion alarms.
2 cities in Lee County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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