Polk County, FL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Decibel limit
- None specified
- Measurement method
- Officer's ordinary hearing
- Audible test
- Plainly audible at 50 feet
- Current ordinance
- Ord. 2025-049 (Sept. 2, 2025)
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Polk County
Summary
Polk County's noise ordinance does not set numeric decibel (dBA) limits. As of September 2, 2025 (Ord. 2025-049) the county measures violations by a "plainly audible at 50 feet" and reasonable-person standard rather than a sound-meter reading.
Plainly audible means any sound that can be clearly heard by a person with normal hearing at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the source of the sound.
(5) Vessel means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.
(Ord. No. 2025-049, § 5, 9-2-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 109 | Land Development Code: Supplement 12).
Full Breakdown
The prior noise ordinance (Ord. 14-030) was repealed and replaced by Ord. 2025-049, effective Sept. 2, 2025. The current Ch. 10.5, Art. IV, Div. 2 contains no dBA tables. Sec. 10.5-52 defines a noise disturbance by whether sound is "plainly audible at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the source" or of such volume/intensity as to disturb reasonable people. Sec. 10.5-53 lists the factors officers weigh: duration/intensity, land-use district, time of day/night, and recurrence. Enforcement relies on an officer's ordinary hearing, not calibrated meters. Governs unincorporated Polk County only.
Violations & Fines
A noise disturbance is a misdemeanor enforceable by the Sheriff's Office or code enforcement, with a fine up to $500 or up to 60 days in jail, or both (Sec. 10.5-54).
Frequently Asked Questions
What decibel level is illegal in Polk County?
Did Polk County ever have decibel limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Polk County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Polk County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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