Walton County, FL Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Walton 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
- Standard
- 'Plainly audible' 25+ feet from property line
- Nighttime hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- First offense
- Written warning only
- Repeat daytime fine
- $500.00 civil infraction
- Repeat nighttime
- Criminal offense under F.S. § 125.69
Summary
Unincorporated Walton County's noise ordinance makes it a civil infraction, escalating to a criminal offense between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., to produce any 'plainly audible' noise disturbance heard from inside a neighbor's home 25 feet or more away, covering amplified music and sound equipment as much as any other source.
Plainly audible shall mean any sound produced by any source that can be clearly heard by a person using his or her unaided hearing faculties 25 feet or more from the property line of the premises from which the sound emits. ... (1)Prohibited act. ... It shall be unlawful and a violation of the section for a person to make, cause or permit if within his or her control the making or causing of any noise disturbance ... between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. that is plainly audible from within an occupied residence not the residence of the person making, causing or permitting the making or causing of the noise disturbance. ... (b)Criminal offense. A violation of this section within 24 hours of the issuance of a written warning shall constitute a criminal offense and shall be F.S. § 125.69.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 9, Article V of the Walton County Code defines 'plainly audible' as any sound that can be clearly heard by unaided hearing 25 feet or more from the property line where it originates, and a 'noise disturbance' as any continuous sound that disturbs the peace, quiet and repose of a person of ordinary sensibilities. 00 civil infraction. 69 rather than a civil fine. in a district that allows them. Amplified music or sound equipment run at a residence, bar, or event that carries into a neighbor's home during the day is a civil matter starting with a warning; running it overnight is treated more seriously from the first written warning.
Violations & Fines
A first noise-disturbance complaint draws only a written warning under Section 9-134(3)(a). A repeat daytime violation after the warning is a $500.00 civil infraction. Overnight noise between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. that repeats within 24 hours of a warning becomes a criminal offense under Section 9-135(3)(b) and F.S. § 125.69, rather than a civil fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What noise level triggers a violation in unincorporated Walton County?
Does playing amplified music late at night carry a bigger penalty?
Is my first noisy party automatically a fine?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Walton County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Walton County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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