Noise Ordinances in Marion County, FL (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Marion County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Unincorporated Marion County sets time-averaged decibel limits that drop at night: residential areas fall from 65 dB(A) (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) to 55 dB(A) (10 p.m.-7 a.m.), and commercial areas from 65 to 60 dB(A). Noise-sensitive zones are capped at 55 dB(A) at all times.
Nighttime sound limits 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Ch. 13)
Some RestrictionsMarion County, FL Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-7 (Ord. No. 99-2; Ord. No. 15-08, 6-16-2015)
TABLE 2 - sound level limits: Category B (residential/recreation) 65 dB(A) from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 55 dB(A) from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; Category C (commercial) 65 dB(A) daytime and 60 dB(A) overnight; Category A (noise-sensitive zone) 55 dB(A) any time. These limits shall not be exceeded at the receiving property line.
Construction Hours
Construction work under a county development permit is exempt from the noise limits only when it occurs between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Outside that window, construction noise must meet the standard Chapter 13 sound limits.
Permitted construction allowed 7 a.m.-10 p.m. only
Some RestrictionsMarion County, FL Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-11 (Ord. No. 99-2; Ord. No. 15-08, 6-16-2015)
Sec. 13-11(9): exempts 'Construction activities for which the county has issued a development permit, as defined in F.S. 163.3164, provided such activity occurs between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.' Sec. 13-11(2) exempts household or farming tools and equipment 'from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.'
Barking Dogs
Marion County's animal code makes an owner responsible for preventing a domestic animal from creating a noise nuisance: barking, whining or howling that can be heard beyond the property line and continues for a minimum continuous 30 minutes may be cited as a nuisance.
Habitual barking nuisance after 30 minutes (Sec. 4-12)
Some RestrictionsMarion County, FL Code of Ordinances Sec. 4-12(b) (Ord. No. 11-55; Ord. No. 25-03, 2-4-2025)
Sec. 4-12(b)(1): Any animal barking, whining, howling or making objectionable noises that can be clearly heard beyond the boundaries of the owner's property and that continues for a minimum continuous period of thirty (30) minutes may be considered a nuisance.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Marion County prohibits playing any radio, stereo, sound amplifier, or musical instrument so that it is plainly audible past the source property line at distances set in Table 3 (e.g., 50 feet for the largest lots) or audible inside a neighboring dwelling. Both code enforcement and law enforcement officers may cite violators.
Plainly audible amplified sound prohibited (Sec. 13-9)
Heavy RestrictionsMarion County, FL Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-9 (Ord. No. 15-08, 6-16-2015)
Sec. 13-9: The use, operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, stereo set, tape player, sound amplifier, musical instrument or similar device which produces or reproduces sound in a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance, herein prescribed in Table 3, away from the real property line of the source of the sound, to any person in a residential area [is a violation].
Aircraft Noise
Marion County's noise ordinance does not regulate aircraft. Section 13-11(3) exempts aircraft and airport activity conducted in accordance with federal laws and regulations, consistent with FAA preemption of aircraft noise.
Aircraft noise exempt; governed by federal law
Few RestrictionsMarion County, FL Code of Ordinances Sec. 13-11(3) (Ord. No. 15-08, 6-16-2015)
Sec. 13-11: The provisions of section 13-10 shall not apply to the following sounds or vibrations: ... (3) Aircraft and airport activity conducted in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
Decibel Limits
Marion County caps industrial and commercial-manufacturing noise at 75 dB(A) at the property line at any time, measured under the county's land use acoustic category system.
Industrial Noise Capped at 75 dB(A) Anytime
Some RestrictionsSec. 13-7
TABLE 1 -- LAND USE ACOUSTIC CATEGORIES ... D ... Industrial or commercial areas where manufacturing, production/shipping, or other industrial uses occur. ... TABLE 2 -- TIME AVERAGED (LEQ) A-WEIGHTED SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL LIMITS ... D ... Any time ... 75
Vehicle Noise
Marion County's noise ordinance exempts motor vehicles on public roads, sending stereo, muffler, and engine noise complaints to Florida Statute 316.293 instead of a county decibel or plainly-audible test.
Vehicle Noise Exempt; State Law Governs
Few RestrictionsMarion County Code § 13-11(7)
The provisions of section 13-10 shall not apply to the following sounds or vibrations: (1) Railway locomotives or cars activity conducted in accordance with federal laws and regulations; (2) Household or farming tools, appliances and equipment meeting applicable manufacturer's specifications as to sound, from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.; (3) Aircraft and airport activity conducted in accor...
All Marion County ordinances
See every category we cover for Marion County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Marion County Ordinance Hub →