Nassau County, FL Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Nassau County, FL, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Audibility limit
- 50 feet from source
- Nighttime ban
- 11 p.m.-6 a.m., no amplified music
- Covers
- beach & beach parking areas
- Exempt equipment
- law enforcement, rescue, county security
- Penalty
- $500 fine and/or 60 days jail
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2025-037, 8-11-25
Summary
In unincorporated Nassau County, no audio device may be played on the Atlantic Ocean beach or beach parking areas if it is plainly audible fifty feet away, and electronically amplified music is barred outright between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Violators face an order to leave; refusal is prosecuted as trespass, a second-degree misdemeanor.
No audio device, including vehicle audio devices or similar electronic devices, such as loudspeakers, televisions, audio compact disc, tape or musical instrument, except equipment used by law enforcement, rescue or county security agents shall be used on the beach or in the beach parking areas in a manner: (1)That is plainly audible at a distance fifty (50) feet or more from the source.(2)Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., no electronically amplified music shall be allowed on the beach or in the beach parking areas.(3)A violation of the provisions of this section may subject the violator to an order to leave the beach. Should the violator fail to leave, the violator shall be considered a trespasser and shall be subject to a penalty of a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by a five hundred dollar ($500.00) fine and/or sixty (60) days in jail and the towing of any vehicles.
Full Breakdown
Nassau County Code § 23½-19 governs sound equipment on the county's Atlantic Ocean beach and beach parking areas outside Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island State Park. The rule reaches any audio device, including vehicle stereos, loudspeakers, televisions, CD or tape players and musical instruments, exempting only equipment used by law enforcement, rescue or county security agents. no electronically amplified music is permitted on the beach or in the beach parking areas at all, regardless of volume. for permitted campers. Enforcement runs through the sheriff's office and county beach security agents defined in § 23½-3.
Because the section names 'any audio device,' it binds anyone bringing a radio, phone speaker or instrument onto the beach or its parking areas, not just commercial sound systems. Where Amelia Island State Park's own hours or rules conflict with the county's, the state park's rules control for that stretch of beach.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of § 23½-19 draws an order to leave the beach. A person who refuses to leave is treated as a trespasser and charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine, sixty days in the county jail, or both, plus towing and impoundment charges for any vehicle involved, all under Ord. No. 2025-037, adopted August 11, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 50-foot rule apply to my beach house?
Can I play music quietly after 11 p.m. on the beach?
What happens if I refuse to stop?
Do lifeguards or deputies get an exception?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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