Amplified music rules in Sarasota, FL — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Amplified outdoor sound in Sarasota is held to the Sec. 20-5(b)(1) cap of 65 dBA / 70 dBC at the real property line during 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. (with an extended 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. carve-out on Thursday-Sunday and federal-holiday eves for City-owned leasehold property on the Lemon Avenue Mall). Daytime amplified sound runs under the continuous-source cap of 75 dBA / 80 dBC.
Sec. 20-5(b)(1)(a) sets an absolute outdoor amplified-sound limit of 65 dBA / 70 dBC at the real property line during night hours, and forbids any reading with a 5 dB or greater dBA-to-dBC spread (which would indicate heavy bass). Sec. 20-5(b)(1)(b) carves out a single venue exception - the Lemon Avenue Mall City-owned leasehold - extending the nighttime threshold to 11:00 p.m. (and to 11:59 p.m. on Friday/Saturday and federal-holiday eves). Bars, restaurants with patios, breweries, weddings, churches with amplified bells (other than Sec. 20-7(15) carillons) must meet the caps. Sec. 20-6 provides the only escape valve: a special permit from the City Manager filed on a complete application, decided within 15 days, with appeal to the Code Enforcement Special Master.
Operating amplified sound above the caps is a municipal code violation under Sec. 20-9 - warning under Sec. 20-8 (15 minutes to comply), then citation up to $500 per offense under Sec. 1-11. Each measured violation can be charged separately, and Sec. 20-9(b) authorizes injunctive relief as the City has declared excessive noise a public nuisance.
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