Broward County, FL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- General vessel cap
- 90 dBA at 50 feet
- Canal/Intracoastal cap
- 80 dBA at 50 feet
- Penalty
- Second-degree misdemeanor, up to 60 days
- Test refusal
- Also a misdemeanor
- Land noise standard
- Audibility-based, not decibel-based
Summary
Broward's only numeric decibel rule caps vessel noise at 90 dBA measured 50 feet from the boat on county waters, with an 80 dBA cap on the New River Canal and Intracoastal Waterway; general land noise is judged by audibility, not a decibel meter.
No person shall operate, cause to operate or give permission for the operation of any vessel on the waters of Broward County or on a specified portion of the waters of Broward County, including the Florida Intracoastal Waterway, in such a manner as to exceed the following sound levels at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the vessel: for all vessels, a maximum sound level of ninety (90) dBA.(3)Penalty for refusal to submit to sound level test: Any person who refuses to submit to a sound level test when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in § 775.082, F.S., § 775.083, F.S. or § 775.084, F.S.(4)Definitions: The following words and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in this subsection:(a)dBA means the composite abbreviation for the A-weighted sound level and the unit of sound level, the decibel.(b)Sound level means the A-weighted sound pressure level measured with fast response using an instrument complying with the specification for sound level meters of the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or its successor bodies, except that only a weighting and fast dynamic response need be provided.(5)Penalty: Any person convicted of violating any portion of this section shall be punished as provided by § 125.69, F.S., as amended from time to time. Said section currently reads as follows:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 21-16 bars operating any vessel on Broward County's waters, including the Intracoastal Waterway, at a sound level exceeding 90 dBA measured 50 feet from the boat; refusing a law-enforcement sound-level test is itself a second-degree misdemeanor. A narrower rule at Sec. 21-13(7)(a) sets an 80 dBA cap specifically on the New River Canal and Florida Intracoastal Waterway in Broward County. Neither rule reaches land-based noise: the county's general noise ordinance (Sec. 27-232, 27-235) applies only to facilities holding a county air license or state air permit and is enforced by whether noise is 'plainly audible' across a property line, no decibel meter is required or used for those violations.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding 90 dBA (or 80 dBA on the New River Canal/Intracoastal) is a second-degree misdemeanor: up to 60 days jail and a fine under Fla. Stat. § 775.083; refusing a sound-level test carries the same penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Broward County have a decibel limit for noise?
What happens if a boater refuses a sound-level test?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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