Jacksonville enforces decibel limits under Chapter 368: residential zones are limited to 70 dBA daytime and 60 dBA nighttime, measured at the receiving property line with A-weighted slow response.
Chapter 368 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code sets maximum permissible sound levels in a table format based on the receiving land use category. Residential receiving properties: 70 dBA day, 60 dBA night. Commercial receiving properties: 75 dBA day, 65 dBA night. Industrial receiving properties: 75 dBA at all times. Measurements are taken at the property boundary of the receiving property using a Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter set to A-weighting with a slow meter response. The Environmental Quality Division conducts measurements upon complaint. A 5 dBA correction is added for tonal sounds (pure tones or whines), impulsive sounds (banging or hammering), and sounds with information content (intelligible speech or recognizable music). Background ambient sound that already exceeds the table limits may be used as a defense if the source in question does not raise the ambient level by more than 3 dBA. Emergency vehicles, warning devices, and authorized public events are exempt from the decibel standards.
Exceeding the decibel limits results in a non-criminal citation. First offense fines are $100 to $250. Repeat violations carry fines of $250 to $500. The Environmental Protection Board may order abatement for chronic sources.
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