6 rules for unincorporated Marion County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Marion 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 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.
Marion 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.'
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.
Marion 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.
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.
Marion 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].
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.
Marion 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.
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