Hillsborough County, FL Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- LDC § 3.01.05, SPI-AP Airport Districts
- Subareas
- AP-1, AP-2, AP-3, AP-4, AP-5, AP-V
- AP-3/AP-4 max FAR
- 0.50 / 0.60
- AP-5 max height
- 70 feet
- Accessory use cap
- 20% individually, 30% collectively
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail
- Noise ordinance coverage
- Sec. 36-429 et seq. does not mention aircraft
Summary
Hillsborough County does not set an aircraft noise decibel limit in its noise ordinance. Instead, the Land Development Code creates the SPI-AP Airport overlay district, splitting land near county airports into six subareas that cap density, floor area and building height to limit exposure to aircraft noise, vibration and crash hazards.
1. The purpose of designating land and water areas in these districts is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by limiting the type, the arrangement, and intensity of uses in an effort to minimize the adverse effects of aircraft operations such as potential aircraft crash hazards, aircraft noise and vibration emissions, and related effects on uses, structures, and occupants of areas likely to be affected by airports and aircraft operations. The regulations of this district are supplemented by the regulations of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and are intended to enable the airport to operate effectively and safely and in accordance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Plan. 2. It is further the intent of this district to identify six subareas, AP-1, AP-2, AP-3, AP-4, AP-5, and AP-V, and to regulate the intensity of development within such zones by limiting the use, bulk, floor area, scale, and size of developments and, where appropriate, by limiting population densities within such zones.
Full Breakdown
The county's general noise ordinance (Sec. , Code of Ordinances Part A) never mentions aircraft; its exemptions list covers construction, sirens, school activities, firearms, religious sounds, agricultural animals, sanctioned motor events and phosphate mining, but not flight operations, which fall under exclusive FAA jurisdiction. Hillsborough County's actual tool for aircraft noise is land-use control: LDC Sec. 60 FAR but up to 70 feet in height; AP-1, AP-2 and AP-V carry no FAR or height cap listed in the dimensional table. Accessory uses within the district must sit wholly inside the principal structure, may have only one exterior entrance, and cannot exceed 20 percent of the floor area individually or 30 percent collectively.
Any development proposed on SPI-AP-zoned land, or land otherwise near Tampa-area airports, is reviewed against these use, bulk and density limits rather than against a noise-level standard.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the SPI-AP standards are enforced as Land Development Code violations under Sec. 11.06.03.A: a person who violates any Code provision is prosecuted as a state misdemeanor under F.S. § 125.69 and, on conviction, faces a fine up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both. Each calendar day a violation continues after written notice is a separate offense, and the County Administrator may separately pursue civil actions to prevent, restrain, correct or abate the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hillsborough County have a decibel limit for aircraft noise?
How does the county limit aircraft noise impact near airports?
What are the dimensional limits in the SPI-AP subareas?
What happens if a property violates SPI-AP zoning limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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