Boca Raton, FL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential day limit
- 55 dBA
- Residential night limit
- 50 dBA
- Commercial day/night limit
- 60 dBA
- Industrial day/night limit
- 65 dBA
- Night hours defined
- 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Impulsive noise correction
- minus 5 dBA
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Boca Raton's noise code sets exact decibel ceilings for fixed mechanical and electrical noise sources by zoning district. Residential zones (1-2 family and apartment) cap out at 55 dBA by day and 50 dBA at night; retail and commercial areas hold to 60 dBA around the clock; industrial property allows 65 dBA measured 50 feet from the boundary.
The noise from any activity or from any permissible use of property within the meaning of the applicable zoning district classifications of the city shall be deemed to be excessive and unusually loud if it exceeds the noise levels which are proscribed below...day conditions referring to the time between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and night conditions referring to the time between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (a)At no point on the boundary of or within a residential area zoned for 1- or 2-family dwellings...may the following sound pressure levels be exceeded: Day: 55 dBA. Night: 50 dBA. (c)At no point on the boundary of or within an area zoned for retail or commercial use...Day: 60 dBA. Night: 60 dBA. (e)At no point at distances of 50 feet or more from the boundary of a property zoned for industrial use...Day: 65 dBA. Night: 65 dBA. The levels specified in this subsection shall be subject to a correctional factor of minus 5 dBA for noises of an impulsive, periodic or beating nature.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 13-1971 methodology. One- and two-family residential districts and apartment districts are held to 55 dBA in the day and 50 dBA at night from any fixed mechanical or electrical source outside the receiving property. Retail and commercial areas are capped at 60 dBA both day and night. Light industrial property gets the same 60 dBA limit, measured 50 feet from the boundary, while heavy industrial property is allowed 65 dBA day and night. Railroad yards, terminals, and student housing facilities are treated as industrial for these purposes.
A noise that is impulsive, periodic, or beating in character gets a 5 dBA correction subtracted from the limit, making enforcement stricter for jackhammers or cycling generators than for steady background hum. Sec. 10-53 incorporates ANSI, ARI, ASHRAE, and SAE testing standards by reference, and Sec. 10-66 ties outdoor air-conditioning and emergency-generator noise back to the Sec. , Monday through Saturday, with none on Sundays or federal holidays. Property owners facing hardship can apply to the city manager under Sec. 10-80 for a temporary relief permit, and public performances under a special permit are exempt under Sec. 10-79.
Violations & Fines
No citation issues on a first encounter: Sec. 10-71 requires the city's environmental officer to first issue a warning citation and attempt voluntary compliance, and a true violation exists only if the excessive noise persists 15 days after that warning. Once charged, Sec. 10-81 makes any Article III violation punishable under the general penalty in Sec. 1-16: a fine up to $500.00, up to 60 days in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decibel limit applies to a Boca Raton home at night?
Do commercial businesses get a higher decibel allowance at night?
Can I get cited for a single loud noise complaint?
Is there any way to get relief from these noise limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boca Raton
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Boca Raton to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Palm Beach County handle decibel limits.