Fort Myers, FL Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Unlike many Florida cities, Fort Myers does not publish a numeric construction-hours window (e.g., 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday) in Code of Ordinances Chapter 54, Article V or in Chapter 102 (Buildings and Construction Regulations). Construction work is instead governed by (1) the general nuisance standard in Sec. 54-196, which makes any noise 'audible beyond the premises' a nuisance subject to abatement, and (2) the enumerated 'loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises' that include unmuffled equipment, gratuitous engine racing, and similar acts. Practically, this means daytime construction is generally tolerated when conducted with mufflers and reasonable controls, while early-morning or nighttime construction that wakes neighbors can be cited as a nuisance. The 2024 amendment of Sec. 54-197 ('Amplified Sound Limitations') applies specifically to amplified sound, not directly to construction equipment. Construction sites must still hold valid Building, Permitting & Inspections (BPI) permits, and Code Enforcement at 239-321-7940 routinely receives early-morning construction-noise complaints, often resolved by warning the contractor to delay loud activities (jackhammers, concrete cutting, framing nail guns) until later in the morning. Florida statute and federal OSHA rules apply to worker hearing protection but do not set city construction hours. Some development orders, planned-development (PD) conditions, and right-of-way permits issued by the city contain project-specific hour conditions that override the general code silence; check your permit for site-specific construction-hour conditions.