St. Lucie County, FL Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Aircraft noise
- Exempt from county limits
- Exception
- Scale/model aircraft not exempt
- County code
- § 28-111(4)
- Full-scale aircraft
- FAA federally preempted
- PSL model-vehicle rule
- § 94.06(e), 100-foot test
Summary
St. Lucie County exempts noise from any type of aircraft, except scale model aircraft, from its noise limits (Sec. 28-111(4)); Port St. Lucie does the same, excluding powered model vehicles (Sec. 94.05(d)). Full-scale aircraft noise is federally preempted under FAA authority.
Noise resulting from the operation of any type of aircraft, not including scale model aircraft.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Land Development Code: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 28-111(4) exempts 'noise resulting from the operation of any type of aircraft, not including scale model aircraft,' and Port St. Lucie's Sec. 94.05(d) exempts aircraft noise 'not including a power model vehicle.' Full-scale aircraft operations, including those from the St. Lucie County International Airport in Fort Pierce, are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, whose control of airspace and aircraft noise preempts local dB ordinances. The carve-out means hobby drones and powered/scale model aircraft do NOT get the exemption and remain subject to the residential dB limits (Sec. 28-110); Port St. Lucie also restricts powered model vehicles under Sec. 94.06(e) by hours and a 100-foot measurement. Airport-specific noise concerns are handled through the FAA and the airport.
Violations & Fines
No local penalty applies to full-scale aircraft noise; complaints route to the FAA or the airport. Model/drone noise outside the exemption is a disturbance under Code § 1-7 (county) or Sec. 94.09 (Port St. Lucie); Sec. 94.06(e) adds model-vehicle limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complain about airplane noise in St. Lucie County?
Are drones and model aircraft exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Lucie County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Lucie County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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