Broward County, FL Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Broward County only
- Aircraft/helicopter noise
- Exempt at all times
- Governing section
- Sec. 39-133(g), Broward County Code
- Enforcement path
- Chapter 8½ Code Enforcement
Summary
Broward County's unincorporated-area noise ordinance exempts helicopter and aircraft noise from its 'Unreasonably Loud Noise' standard at all times, so long as the flight follows federal aviation law.
Uninvited noise shall be deemed unreasonably loud if it is plainly audible inside of a receiving property with doors and windows closed, across a property line, and interferes with a person's peaceful enjoyment of a residence... The activities listed in Table 1... are exempt from the definition of Unreasonably Loud Noise... Any noise generated by the movement of aircraft in accordance with or pursuant to applicable federal laws or regulations .....At all times
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 39-133(g) of the Broward County Code bars 'Unreasonably Loud Noise', noise plainly audible inside a neighboring home with doors and windows closed, in the unincorporated area, but its Table 1 exemption list carves out 'any noise generated by the movement of aircraft in accordance with or pursuant to applicable federal laws or regulations,' exempted at all times. That carve-out covers helicopters operating under FAA rules, so a Broward code enforcement officer cannot cite ordinary helicopter flight noise under this section; federal aviation authority, not county ordinance, governs it. The provision sits in Chapter 39 (Zoning), which Sec. 39-2 limits to the unincorporated area, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and Broward's other 27 cities set their own noise rules.
Violations & Fines
None for routine flight noise under federal authority: it is exempt at all times. Other Unreasonably Loud Noise violations need no decibel measurement and are enforced by a code officer under Chapter 8½ Code Enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Broward County cite a helicopter for noise?
Does this exemption apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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