Palm Beach County, FL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential daytime cap
- 60 dB, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Residential nighttime cap
- 50 dB, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Commercial/non-residential cap
- 70 dB at any time
- Measurement method
- A-weighted meter at property line
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County only
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County caps residential noise at 60 dB by day, 55 dB in the evening, and 50 dB overnight, with a flat 70 dB limit for commercial and non-residential receiving land.
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source of sound from any location in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth below in Table 5.E.4.B, Maximum Sound Levels, for more than ten percent of any measurement period, which period shall not be less than ten minutes.
Full Breakdown
ULDC Table 5.E.4.B sets maximum sound levels measured at the boundary of the complaining property with an ANSI-standard Type 2 sound meter; a violation is exceeding the table limit for more than 10 percent of any measurement period, which must run at least 10 minutes. Residential land is capped at 60 dB at any time from fixed mechanical equipment, and from most other sources at 60 dB (7 a.m.-8 p.m.), 55 dB (8 p.m.-10 p.m.), and 50 dB (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) in the Urban Service Area, running 5 dB lower in the Rural Service Area. Commercial and non-residential receiving land is capped at 70 dB at any time. These limits apply only in unincorporated Palm Beach County - Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Jupiter and the county's other municipalities set their own noise rules.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the table's decibel limits is declared a public nuisance; a Code Enforcement Officer investigates written complaints and the County Attorney can pursue injunctive relief to abate it, on top of standard code-enforcement penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the nighttime residential noise limit in Palm Beach County?
Do these limits apply in West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
How is a noise violation measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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