Winter Park, FL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Decibel limit
- 50 dBA
- Time window
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Where it applies
- Central Business District and Hannibal Square district
- Vehicle and street sound measured
- At the recipient's property line
- Musical entertainment measured
- Inside any receiving property
- Penalty
- Class II, next class up for each repeat
Summary
The decibel figure in Winter Park's noise division is 50 dBA, and Sec. 62-98 applies it in the Central Business District and Hannibal Square Neighborhood Commercial District between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Vehicle and street sound is measured at the recipient's property line, and musical entertainment is measured inside the receiving property.
(a) The regulations of this section apply within the Central Business District and Hannibal Square Neighborhood Commercial District. ... (3) Is at a level that equals or exceeds 50 dBA measured at the property line of the recipient of such sound. ... (c) It shall be unlawful for any person on a public street or highway between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to operate or amplify the sound produced by a radio, tape player, or other mechanical sound making device or instrument so that the sound: ... (2) Is at a level that equals or exceeds 50 dBA measured at the property line of the recipient of such sound. ... (e) It shall be unlawful for any person, business or establishment between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to provide musical entertainment in such manner as to create a plainly audible sound to a reasonably prudent person of ordinary sensibilities or detectable vibration that: ... (4) Is in excess of 50 dBA as measured with a sound level meter inside any receiving property.
Full Breakdown
Winter Park's noise division rests mostly on a reasonable-person standard, and decibel numbers appear in one section: Sec. 62-98, which applies within the Central Business District and the Hannibal Square Neighborhood Commercial District. Sec. 62-92 defines an "A" Level as the total sound level of all noise as measured with a sound level meter using the "A" weighting network, with dBA as the unit. It requires the meter to comply with American National Standards Institute specifications S1.4, and it counts any sound that exceeds a dBA limit established in the division as a noise disturbance.
Three tests use 50 dBA. Under subsection (b)(3), between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., amplified sound from a radio, tape player or other device inside a motor vehicle on a street or highway is unlawful when it equals or exceeds 50 dBA measured at the property line of the recipient. Under subsection (c)(2), the same 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. window and the same 50 dBA property-line reading apply to any person on a public street or highway operating or amplifying sound from a radio, tape player or other mechanical sound making device.
Under subsection (e)(4), between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., any person, business or establishment providing musical entertainment cannot produce sound in excess of 50 dBA as measured with a sound level meter inside any receiving property. Subsection (e) has non-decibel tests too: sound that unreasonably disturbs the peace, that can be heard or felt at 50 feet from the building, or that can be heard or felt inside a residential occupancy in another building or a tenant space within the same building.
Where the meter sits differs by subsection: the recipient's property line for (b) and (c), the inside of the receiving property for (e). Subsection (g) exempts emergency, fire, police and ambulance vehicles, railway equipment, warning systems, theft alarms, and events sanctioned by the city commission or covered by a special permit that authorizes sound amplification.
Violations & Fines
Under Sec. 62-98(f), a violation is a Class II violation, and each successive repeated violation is fined at the next higher class. Sec. 1-23 lists Class II at $100.00, Class III at $200.00 and Class IV at $300.00. The city can enforce by other means, and the city commission can revoke or suspend permission for any musical entertainment for repeated violations, for a period it determines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Winter Park's decibel limit at night?
Does the 50 dBA limit apply in residential neighborhoods?
How is the reading taken?
What happens to a venue with repeat violations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winter Park
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Winter Park to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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