10 rules for unincorporated Santa Rosa County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Santa Rosa County, nighttime runs 9:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m., when noise measured at a residential receiving property may not exceed 60 dB(A). Daytime (7 a.m.–9 p.m.) the residential limit is 70 dB(A).
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-171(a)
No person may cause, allow, or permit the production of any noise on any source property that exceeds the noise level limits on an adjacent receiving property... Residential Property 70 dB(A) [day], 60 dB(A) [9:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.].
Construction that exceeds the county decibel limits is prohibited between 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. within unincorporated Santa Rosa County. Outside those hours, construction may proceed even above the general dB(A) limits.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-171(c)(2)
No person shall conduct construction activity at noise levels in excess of the decibel limits established in paragraph (a) of this section between the hours of 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
Santa Rosa County has no dedicated barking-dog decibel limit. Persistent barking is handled as excessive noise under the general noise ordinance (Ch. 14, Art. VI) — 60 dB(A) at night, 70 dB(A) daytime on a residential receiving property — or as an animal nuisance by Animal Services.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-168 (definition of noise)
Noise means sound that is excessive and disturbing to a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities, as measured from the real property line of the source property.
Power tools and landscaping/yard-maintenance equipment (leaf blowers, mowers) may not be used above the county decibel limits on or within 250 feet of a residential property between 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. At all other times they may be used even above those limits.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-171(c)(1)
No person shall use power tools and landscaping and yard maintenance equipment at noise levels in excess of decibel limits... on or within 250 feet of a residential property between the hours of 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
Amplified music and other sound must stay under the county's receiving-property decibel limits: 70 dB(A) day / 60 dB(A) night on residential property, measured at the neighbor's property line. Only sound authorized by a county special-events permit may lawfully exceed those limits.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-172(4)
Noise generated pursuant to a valid county special events permit or other county authorization that specifically authorizes the generation of sound in excess of the limits described herein on source property.
Aircraft and airport noise is exempt from the Santa Rosa County noise ordinance. Noise from aircraft or airport activity conducted in accordance with federal law is not subject to the county's decibel limits; aviation noise is regulated by the FAA.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-172(8)
Noise generated by aircraft or airport activity conducted in accordance with federal laws and regulations [is exempt].
On industrial receiving property the county allows 85 dB(A) daytime and 80 dB(A) nighttime. Noise inside the Galt City Industrial Zone is fully exempt from the ordinance. Limits are measured at the receiving property line on an A-weighted meter.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-172(10)
Noise generated within the Galt City Industrial Zone, as more particularly described in Exhibit "A," which is attached to the ordinance from which this article is derived [is exempt].
Santa Rosa County sets A-weighted decibel limits at the receiving property line by zoning and time: residential 70/60 dB(A) day/night, non-industrial-non-residential 80/75, industrial 85/80. Day is 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; night is 9:01 p.m.–6:59 a.m.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-171(a)
Residential Property 70 dB(A) [7 a.m.–9 p.m.] 60 dB(A) [9:01 p.m.–6:59 a.m.]; Non-Industrial, Non-Residential Property 80 dB(A) 75 dB(A); Industrial Property 85 dB(A) 80 dB(A).
Outdoor music must meet the same receiving-property decibel limits (70 dB(A) day / 60 dB(A) night for residential neighbors). Community events with non-amplified crowd noise are exempt, and amplified event sound is allowed only under a valid county special-events permit.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-172(3)
Non-amplified crowd noises resulting from activities such as parades or other community events [are exempt].
Noise from motor vehicles operating on a public right-of-way is exempt from the county ordinance and is governed by Florida law (F.S. § 316.293). Vehicle horns and warning devices required by F.S. § 316.271 are also exempt. Off-road vehicle noise on private property still falls under the county limits.
Santa Rosa County Code § 14-172(9)
Noise generated by motor vehicles operating on a public right-of-way subject to F.S. § 316.293.
See every category we cover for Santa Rosa County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Santa Rosa County Ordinance Hub →