Moving to Kissimmee, FL?

Kissimmee Code Chapter 22, Article II (Noise Control Ordinance, adopted by Ord. No. 3070 on Feb. 21, 2023) sets nighttime quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. with a 55 dBA residential limit. The Downtown CRA has separate caps of 85 dBA daytime and 70 dBA nighttime under Table 2.

Sec. 22-24, Table 1 sets A-weighted decibel caps that vary by the land use receiving the noise: 60/55 dBA day/night for residential, 70/65 for office and commercial, and 75/75 for industrial. Class B (heavy manufacturing source) raises each limit by 5–10 dBA.

Sec. 22-27 prohibits outdoor mechanical loudspeakers and amplified sound between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. citywide. The Downtown CRA is exempt from the 1,000-foot setback from schools, courts, and hospitals but still must comply with the 85/70 dBA Table 2 caps.

Sec. 22-25(e) limits erection, demolition, alteration, and repair of buildings to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday–Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Outside these hours, construction noise is prohibited unless the designated official issues a permit.

Within the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), Sec. 22-24 Table 2 allows outdoor amplified sound up to 85 dBA from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and 70 dBA from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. The August 5, 2025 amendment requires no outdoor speakers between midnight and 7 a.m. and caps that period at 65 dBA.

Aircraft noise is regulated under city Chapter 8 (Aviation) covering Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM), supplemented by FAA Part 91 noise standards. Sec. 22-22(b)(2) exempts aircraft noise from Article II decibel caps because it is regulated by state and federal law.

Kissimmee has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Sec. 22-22(b)(1) exempts gas-powered equipment from the standard decibel caps only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Outside that window, blowers must meet the 60/55 dBA residential limit at the source property line.

Kissimmee has no barking-dog-specific section. Continuous barking is handled either under Sec. 22-25(a) (any noise plainly audible 15 feet from a residential property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.) or as an Osceola County animal nuisance complaint to the county Animal Services division.

Industrial uses are capped at 75 dBA day and night under Sec. 22-24 Table 1 Class A. Heavy manufacturing sources defined in Land Development Code Ch. 14-2 use Class B standards: 65 dBA into residential, 75 dBA into commercial, 85 dBA into industrial.

Every legal short-term rental in Kissimmee must hold a city Business Tax Receipt (Ch. 40), a state DBPR Vacation Rental license, and register with Osceola County for the 6% Tourist Development Tax. Florida HB 1011 (2024) limits how strictly cities can regulate STRs but preserves registration and tax authority.

Under Land Development Code §14-6-44(B), short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are prohibited in residential districts unless located inside an STRO (Short-Term Rental Overlay) district or specifically approved as a conditional use. Most of Kissimmee outside designated STR overlay areas cannot legally operate Airbnb-style rentals.

Kissimmee imposes no city-specific maximum occupancy on STRs, but Florida HB 1011 (2024) caps STRs statewide at two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons. The Florida Building Code minimum room size also limits how many occupants a dwelling can lawfully accommodate.

Short-term rentals must comply with Sec. 22-24 Table 1 residential limits — 60 dBA day / 55 dBA night at the property line. The Sec. 22-25(a) plainly-audible-at-15-feet quiet-hours rule (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) applies in addition to the dBA caps and is the most common citation against party-house operators.

Kissimmee STR operators must collect 6.5% Florida sales+discretionary surtax and the 6% Osceola County Tourist Development Tax — a combined 12.5% remitted to the Florida DOR and Osceola Clerk respectively. The BTR fee is set by Ch. 40 ordinance and runs roughly $25–$75 annually for residential rentals.

Florida §791.08 (as amended by SB 140 in 2020) preempts most local fireworks regulation and allows consumer fireworks on July 4, December 31, and January 1. Kissimmee Fire Department enforces the Florida Fire Prevention Code for fireworks displays under Sec. 24-19.

Sec. 9-283 bans any vegetative area exceeding 12 inches in height and requires immediate removal of grass clippings and trimmings after mowing. Sec. 9-282(4) requires 7 ft of sidewalk clearance and 14 ft of street/alley clearance under tree branches.

Sec. 24-52 prohibits all open burning inside Kissimmee unless authorized by permit. Yard waste burning is banned outright because city trash pickup is provided. Land-clearing burns require a permit and must meet 300–1,000 ft setbacks from buildings.

Sec. 24-54 allows campfires, fire pits, and similar small recreational fires only with a city fire department permit. Cooking fires are exempt from the permit requirement but must follow the same setback and containment rules.

Sec. 24-19 adopts NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code as the city's fire safety standard. Sec. 24-20(3) requires automatic sprinklers in all new nonresidential buildings 5,000+ sq ft and triggers retroactive sprinklers when renovations add 5,000+ sq ft to existing structures.

Kissimmee is in the Florida Forest Service's Central Florida wildfire region. The Florida Forest Service issues open-burn authorizations county-wide via §590.125, and Sec. 24-52(d)-(e) suspends all open burning during NWS Air Stagnation Advisories and FFS unfavorable-weather determinations.

Backyard fires for cooking are exempt from permit requirements under Sec. 24-54(1) but must follow setbacks: 50 ft from structures, 25 ft from trees/brush, constant attendance, and adequate extinguishing equipment. Recreational backyard fires (non-cooking) require fire department authorization.

Sec. 42-67 bars commercial vehicle storage in residential districts except as carved out. Sec. 42-68 allows one ungaraged commercial vehicle up to 8,000 lbs GVWR if used by a resident. Sec. 42-69 allows one garaged commercial vehicle up to 10,000 lbs GVWR. Hazmat vehicles are never permitted.

Sec. 9-285 prohibits abandoned, inoperative, wrecked, or unlicensed motor vehicles on residential property or rights-of-way. Sec. 42-19(r) makes parking a vehicle without a valid license plate in a residential district unlawful. Sec. 42-72 authorizes police impoundment.

Sec. 42-44 bans parking on any grass or unpaved surface in front or side yards of a residentially zoned property. Sec. 42-45 allows two parking spaces on the grass adjacent and parallel to a driveway. Total impervious surface for parking cannot exceed 40% of the front and side yards under Sec. 42-48.

Sec. 42-19 prohibits parking in fire lanes, within 15 feet of fire hydrants or dumpsters, on sidewalks or crosswalks, in disabled spaces without permit, against the flow of traffic, or anywhere an official sign prohibits parking. Parking penalties are itemized in Sec. 1-22(b)(28).

LDC §14-6-14 allows up to three recreational vehicles or trailers outdoors at a single-family, duplex, triplex, or townhouse, with only one motor home or travel trailer. Items must be on a durable all-weather surface (concrete, asphalt, brick), not gravel, and only one item may be parked between the dwelling front and the road.

§14-6-5(D) restricts fence materials to aluminum, treated wood, vinyl, ornamental iron, chain link (with restrictions), concrete, brick, or stone. Chain link in front yards is banned except at public schools. Barbed wire and electric fences are only allowed in AC (agriculture/conservation) zoning.

LDC §14-6-5(A) requires a building permit to erect any fence or wall within Kissimmee city limits. There is no DIY exemption — permit applies to all heights and materials, including chain link replacements.

Florida has no statewide statute requiring neighbor consent or cost-sharing for fences. Kissimmee's LDC §14-6-5 requires the finished side of a fence to face away from the owner's property, meaning the neighbor sees the finished side.

LDC §14-6-5(B) limits side and rear yard fences to 6 feet. §14-6-5(C) limits front yard fences to 3 feet, except decorative open fences (under 15% opaque) can go up to 6 feet. The director may approve up to 10 feet for unique topographic conditions or screening of outdoor storage.

Sec. 9-286(c) requires private pools, spas, and hot tubs holding more than 24 inches of water to be surrounded by a 48-inch (4 ft) minimum fence with self-closing, self-latching gates. Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (F.S. Ch. 515) provides additional state-level standards.

Retaining walls in Kissimmee require a building permit under Sec. 9-115 and LDC §14-6-5(A). Front-yard retaining walls are exempt from the 3-foot front-fence height cap under §14-6-5(C)(1) but still require permit review.

Sec. 6-20(b) limits each household to three domestic fowl total (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, pigeons) and requires a minimum one-acre parcel to keep them. Larger livestock — cows, horses, mules, swine, sheep, goats — are prohibited from running at large under Sec. 6-20(a).

Kissimmee has no breed-specific dog regulations — Florida §767.14 preempts breed-specific local ordinances statewide. Dogs are regulated by behavior, not breed.

Kissimmee has no city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance. Florida F.S. §379.412 makes intentional feeding of wild bears, alligators, raccoons, foxes, or sandhill cranes a second-degree misdemeanor — applicable citywide. The entire city is a designated bird sanctuary under Sec. 6-58.

Sec. 6-20(c) prohibits domestic dogs from running at large in Kissimmee. Osceola County Code Ch. 4 (which applies citywide) sets the leash standard — dogs must be under physical control (leashed or otherwise restrained) when off the owner's property.

Sec. 6-27 prohibits ownership of pigs or other swine except purebred miniature Vietnamese potbellied pigs — limited to two per household, indoors only, spayed/neutered. Other exotic animals are regulated by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Class I/II/III licensing.

Florida F.S. §586.10 preempts most local regulation of beekeeping. Cities cannot adopt ordinances prohibiting registered apiarists from keeping bees. Kissimmee has no city-specific beekeeping ordinance.

LDC §14-8-4 protects any tree with a 4-inch diameter at breast height (DBH) or larger. §14-8-5 requires a tree removal permit before cutting, trimming, or removing any protected tree, including those in the city right-of-way.

Kissimmee is in the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) jurisdiction, which enforces year-round landscape irrigation restrictions. Even-address properties can water on Sundays and Thursdays; odd-address on Wednesdays and Saturdays; nonresidential on Tuesdays and Fridays — all between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. only.

Sec. 9-283(2) caps vegetative height at 12 inches measured by ruler or tape from grade. Property over 25 acres on agricultural exemption is excused from the height rule except within 50 ft of trails or rights-of-way.

Sec. 9-282(9) prohibits 'hatracking' or topping any street tree, park tree, or other tree on public or private property — defined as cutting limbs to stubs larger than 3 inches diameter within the crown, or removing more than approximately one-third of the normal canopy.

Sec. 9-283(1) prohibits accumulation of weeds, invasive species, undergrowth, or excessive grass that may communicate fire or harbor insects, rodents, or snakes. Sec. 9-283(5) declares palmettos, vines, and accumulated debris a nuisance subject to city abatement.

LDC §14-6-4 permits family day care homes as a standard home occupation. Sec. 14-6-7(A)(1) and the F.S. §402.302(8) child-count standards govern: up to 6 children (or 10 with two caregivers) including the caregiver's own children under 13.

LDC §14-6-7 allows 'standard home occupations' in residential dwellings if conducted entirely within the home, operated only by residents (no employees), occupying no more than 10% of the ground floor, with no client visits except a 2-student tutoring exception and family day care.

LDC §14-6-7(A)(3) prohibits any sign advertising a standard home occupation on residential premises. §14-6-7(A)(11) also prohibits including the home address in any advertisement, including online directories, social media, or print media.

LDC §14-6-17 makes swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and screened enclosures accessory structures subject to the §14-6-1 general accessory rules. Pool setbacks are measured from the water's edge. State F.S. Ch. 515 fencing requirements also apply.

Sec. 9-286(c) requires private pools, spas, and hot tubs holding more than 24 inches of water to be surrounded by a 48-inch (4 ft) minimum fence with self-closing, self-latching gates. Gates with latches under 54 inches must have the release on the pool side.

Sec. 9-286 requires pools to be maintained 'in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair' with motors and pumps in working condition. Stagnant unmaintained pools are public-health nuisances under Sec. 22-50 and can be drained at owner expense.

LDC §14-6-2 allows one ADU per lot (attached or detached) if the lot meets minimum zoning-district lot size. Detached ADUs require 1.5x the minimum lot size. Living area: 500-800 sq ft or 40% of the primary structure, whichever is less. The principal structure must be owner-occupied with a valid homestead exemption.

Sheds are accessory structures governed by LDC §14-6-1. Florida Building Code exempts one-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft from the building permit requirement, but Kissimmee zoning rules on setback (typically 5 ft side/rear) and lot coverage still apply.

Converting a garage into livable space requires building permit review and likely triggers ADU rules under LDC §14-6-2. Off-street parking requirements under §14-7-22 must still be met after conversion — typically requiring a replacement driveway parking space.

LDC §14-9-1 implements floodplain management for all FEMA-designated special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) per the National Flood Insurance Program. Kissimmee participates in NFIP and the Florida Building Code's flood-resistant construction requirements apply.

Boat docks on Lake Tohopekaliga require both Kissimmee building permits and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approval. Lake Tohopekaliga is a no-wake-zone in designated areas per Sec. 48-49. Dilapidated boats can be removed by the city under Sec. 48-48.

Sec. 22-78 through 22-90 establish the city's Stormwater Management and NPDES MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) program. Sec. 22-85 prohibits illegal discharges and connections to the city storm sewer. Civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under Sec. 22-90.

Florida law prohibits home cultivation of cannabis even for medical patients. F.S. §381.986 limits medical cannabis to purchases from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs). Recreational marijuana remains illegal statewide despite the November 2024 Amendment 3 falling short of the 60% supermajority required.

F.S. §381.986(11) requires medical marijuana dispensaries to be zoned the same as pharmacies under local ordinances. Kissimmee dispensaries operate in commercial districts permitting general pharmacy use.

Florida F.S. §163.04 invalidates any HOA covenant prohibiting solar installation. HOAs may impose reasonable specifications on location but cannot impair system effectiveness or significantly increase installation cost.

Solar PV installation requires building, electrical, and structural permits through Kissimmee Building Division. Florida F.S. §163.04 prohibits any HOA, ordinance, or deed restriction from preventing solar installation, but reasonable aesthetic and orientation requirements may apply.

LDC §14-11-9 governs temporary signage including political signs. Per §14-11-9(A)(4), political party and candidate headquarters/offices may display one banner up to 21 sq ft starting six months before an election and must remove it within seven days after.

Garage and yard sale signs are governed by LDC §14-11-9 (temporary signs) and §14-6-27 (garage sales). Signs may only be displayed during the actual sale and must be removed immediately afterward. Snipe signs on utility poles and rights-of-way are prohibited under §14-11-11.

Holiday decorations are explicitly exempt from sign-permit requirements under LDC §14-11-10(C). Temporary holiday displays don't require permits regardless of size, illumination, or duration.

Sec. 32-67(1) requires trash containers to be set out by 7 a.m. on collection day and no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before. Containers must be removed from the right-of-way by 8 a.m. the day after collection. Container placement: adjacent to but not in the street, with 4-ft clearance from other containers and obstructions.

LDC §14-6-27(A) limits garage and yard sales in residential districts to two per calendar year, three days per sale. Non-profit fundraising sales follow similar limits but allow non-residential locations.

Sec. 9-280 (vacant structures), Sec. 9-281 (exterior property areas), Sec. 9-287 (exterior of structure), and Sec. 9-288 (tarps) define Kissimmee's property-maintenance standards. Tarps over damaged structures are limited to 180 days unless extended by the designated official.

LDC §14-6-51 (glare performance standard) and §14-7-6 (street lighting) regulate outdoor lighting. Glare from any use is prohibited if it creates a hazard or unreasonable annoyance on neighboring property.

Kissimmee does not maintain a city-specific rental registration program. Landlords must obtain a Business Tax Receipt under Ch. 40 if managing rentals as a business. Florida F.S. §83.40-83.682 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act) governs the landlord-tenant relationship statewide.

Florida F.S. §125.0103 prohibits all forms of local rent control unless a housing emergency is declared and the city authorizes a temporary control by referendum. Kissimmee has no rent control and cannot implement it without a declared emergency vote.

Sec. 32-66 includes single-stream recycling as part of basic residential service. Sec. 32-67(3) requires loose placement of approved recyclables (no plastic bags), with accepted materials listed on the container lid. Mixing trash with recyclables triggers a mixed-waste fee.

Sec. 32-63 makes the city the exclusive solid waste and recycling collection provider for all properties inside city limits. Sec. 32-66 specifies one garbage, one recycling, and one yard waste container collected weekly. Mixing materials triggers a mixed-waste fee.

Drone operation in Kissimmee is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 (commercial) and Part 91 (recreational). Florida F.S. §330.41 preempts most local drone regulation. Kissimmee Gateway Airport's airspace (5-mile radius) requires LAANC authorization for any drone flight.

LDC §14-6-8 governs 'itinerant food vendors' (food trucks) in Kissimmee. Florida HB 1193 (2020) preempts most local food truck regulations — cities cannot require business tax receipts beyond their primary location and cannot impose location restrictions beyond standard zoning.

Kissimmee has no city-specific door-to-door solicitor permit ordinance. Florida F.S. §496 governs charitable solicitation registration. Property owners can post No Solicitation signs which are enforceable as trespass under F.S. §810.09 if a solicitor persists after notice.

Sec. 26-60 adopts Florida Statutes §§877.20 through 877.25 in their entirety. Minors under 16 are prohibited from being in public places between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, and between 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday/Sunday/legal holidays.

Sec. 28-19 sets city park hours as posted at each park, with the city manager authorized to close parks temporarily for public safety. Sec. 28-50(17) prohibits overnight parking in any park where posted.

LDC §14-4-6.A.9 restricts impervious surface in front and side yards to 40% maximum for pavers, concrete, turf blocks, gravel, asphalt, or brick pavers used for parking. Maximum lot coverage by structures is set by zoning district in Tables 4-3 and 4-5.

Setbacks vary by zoning district per LDC §14-4-6.B Tables 4-3 (residential), 4-4 (mobile home park), and 4-5 (non-residential). LDC §14-4-6.A.3 lists permitted encroachments: roof projections up to 3 ft, balconies/awnings 3 ft, mechanical units 5 ft, stoops/porches 10 ft into front setback.

LDC §14-4-6.A.4 measures building height in stories/floors. Ground floors must be 12-25 ft; upper floors 9-14 ft. Rooftop features cannot exceed 20 percent of the total height of the building or 20 ft above the top floor.

LDC §14-8-5 requires a tree removal permit before cutting any protected tree (4-inch DBH or larger). Applications go to the Development Review Committee with a tree survey and landscape plan. Replacement is required when trees die or are killed during or within two years of development.

LDC §14-8-4(B) authorizes the city arborist to designate specimen or historic trees — typically 30 inches DBH or greater, or based on age, historic association, species, or unique characteristics. Designated trees are protected without regard to location unless protection denies the parcel all beneficial use.

After a declared emergency, the city solid waste division coordinates debris pickup separate from regular trash service. Sec. 32-66(a)(4) bars hazardous waste from city containers at all times. Yard waste from storm-downed trees must be cut to specified lengths and placed curbside per active disaster orders.

Sec. 9-253 adopts the Florida Building Code's basic wind speed standards. New construction in Kissimmee must meet FBC §1609 wind loads — typically 130 mph ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category II structures. Impact-rated windows or hurricane shutters are required to protect glazing.

LDC §14-9-1 requires new construction and substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) to be elevated to or above base flood elevation (BFE) plus freeboard per the Florida Building Code §1612 and ASCE 24.