Osceola County, FL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- General limit, day
- 55 dB(A), 7:00 a.m. through sunset
- General limit, night
- 45 dB(A), one minute after sunset through 6:59 a.m.
- Mechanical equipment
- 50 dBC by day, 45 dBC at night
- Music and amplified singing
- 45 dBC by day, 40 dBC at night
- Where it is measured
- At the real property line of the sound source
- Temporary permit
- Up to 7 days, issued by county manager or designee
- Variance appeal
- To county commissioners within 10 days of the board of adjustment decision
Summary
Osceola County caps sound at the property line of the source: 55 dB(A) from 7:00 a.m. through sunset and 45 dB(A) from one minute after sunset through 6:59 a.m. Mechanical equipment such as air conditioners and pumps faces a stricter C-scale cap of 50 by day and 45 at night. The rules cover unincorporated Osceola County only.
(a) Prohibited sound levels. Except as otherwise provided herein, no person shall create, or cause to be created, any source of sound so as to create a sound level beyond the real property line of the real property upon which the sound source is located which exceeds the following sound level limits: Time of Day Decibels (A-scale) 7:00 a.m. through sunset 55 One minute after sunset through 6:59 a.m. 45 ... (c) Mechanical equipment, air conditioning, and other equipment. Except as otherwise provided herein, no person shall operate or cause to be operated any air conditioning, mechanical, ventilating, refrigerating equipment, pump or machinery and equipment of a similar nature, so as to create a sound level beyond the real property line of the real property upon which the sound source is located, which exceeds the following sound level limits: Time of Day Decibels (C-scale) 7:00 a.m. through sunset 50 One minute after sunset through 6:59 a.m. 45
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71 | Land Development Code: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
The Osceola County Noise Control Ordinance (Chapter 9, Article III) applies to all sound originating in the unincorporated areas of the county (§ 9-107), so a source inside a city such as Kissimmee or St. Cloud is governed by that city instead. Section 9-110(a) sets the general limit, measured beyond the real property line of the lot where the sound source sits: 55 decibels on the A-scale from 7:00 a.m. through sunset, and 45 decibels from one minute after sunset through 6:59 a.m. Sunset moves through the year, so the daytime window moves with it.
Section 9-110(c) sets a separate C-scale limit for air conditioning, mechanical, ventilating and refrigerating equipment, pumps and similar machinery: 50 decibels from 7:00 a.m. through sunset and 45 from one minute after sunset through 6:59 a.m. Music, singing and amplified lyrics carry their own C-scale limits in § 9-110(b), 45 by day and 40 at night. Inside multifamily buildings, § 9-110(e) sets 55 dBC from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 45 dBC from 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m., measured in the center of the neighboring unit's room with doors and windows closed.
Measurement follows § 9-113. The meter must conform to ANSI S1.4 (1983) Type 2 or better, readings are taken on or as near as possible to the real property line of the source, and the result is an Leq with a sampling period of no less than one minute.
Section 9-110(h) exempts a list of activities, including lawful construction and lawn, garden and household maintenance tools between 7:00 a.m. and sunset, golf course maintenance equipment between 5:30 a.m. and sunset, and alarm tests that run only between 7:00 a.m. and sunset and never longer than 60 seconds. Refuse collection vehicles appear on the exemption list twice, once from 7:00 a.m. and once from 6:00 a.m. Motor vehicles on public roads fall under F.S. § 316.293 instead (§ 9-112(a)), while recreational vehicles off public roads must meet the § 9-110 limits.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the article is an offense punishable in accordance with law, including proceedings before the Osceola County code enforcement board (§ 9-108). Code inspectors and code enforcement officers acting under Chapter 7, and sworn law enforcement officers with jurisdiction in unincorporated Osceola County, can all enforce it. The person managing a business premises who is present is presumed to control all sound coming from it, and a performer is presumed to control all amplified sound produced in concert with them (§ 9-114). Either presumption is rebutted by proof of all reasonable steps to abate the sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Osceola County is the noise ordinance measured?
What is the nighttime noise limit in unincorporated Osceola County?
Can I get a permit for a loud event in Osceola County?
Can the noise limits be waived long term?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Osceola County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Osceola County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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