Ocala, FL Filming & Production: Production Noise (2026)

Ocala's Section 42-14 does more than require productions to get a permit: subsection (a) makes it unlawful for anyone to "intentionally engage in conduct which disrupts and infringes upon the rights of motion picture and television crews to produce a commercial film or television taping, or audio or visual recording of any kind, on a public location that has been permitted for such production." Subsection (b) lists what counts as disruptive conduct, and the first item, (b)(1), targets sound directly: "Creating or causing audible interference to the recording of sound that goes beyond constitutionally protected expression." The same list separately bars interfering with a production's lighting by shining or reflecting light onto a set or camera, blocking the ingress or egress of equipment or personnel, and placing obstacles where filming is happening, but it is (b)(1) that governs noise made near an active, permitted shoot.

Subsection (e) keeps the prohibition from reaching protected activity: it "is not intended to apply to any conduct protected by federal or state law, including the right to peacefully and lawfully assemble and protest," or to citizens' ordinary lawful work. The rule only attaches once a production already holds the Section 42-14(c) permit for the location; the Code prints no separate decibel limit or measured-noise standard for this section.