Santa Rosa County, FL Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Quiet window
- 9:01 p.m.–5:59 a.m.
- Distance trigger
- Within 250 ft of residential
- Daytime use
- Allowed above dB limits
- Base penalty
- $150
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county
Summary
Power tools and landscaping/yard-maintenance equipment (leaf blowers, mowers) may not be used above the county decibel limits on or within 250 feet of a residential property between 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. At all other times they may be used even above those limits.
No person shall use power tools and landscaping and yard maintenance equipment at noise levels in excess of decibel limits established in paragraph (a) of this section on or within 250 feet of a residential property between the hours of 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. At all other times, such tools and equipment may be used on such property notwithstanding the noise levels established in paragraph (a) of this section.
(2) No person shall conduct construction activity at noise levels in excess of the decibel limits established in paragraph (a) of this section between the hours of 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. At all other times, such construction activity may be conducted notwithstanding the noise levels established in paragraph (a) of this section.
(3) An exterior burglar alarm of a building or a motor vehicle alarm in excess of the decibel limits established in paragraph (a) of this section must be operated such that upon activation it terminates within five minutes for continuous noise or within 15 minutes for non-continuous noise.
(4) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on private property at noise levels in excess of 86 dB(A) on any receiving property nor shall such noise continue for more than five minutes at any one time.
(Ord. No. 2021-06 , § 2, 6-22-21)
Full Breakdown
Section 14-171(c)(1) singles out power tools and landscaping and yard-maintenance equipment: they cannot be operated at noise levels exceeding the Sec. 14-171(a) limits on or within 250 feet of a residential property between 9:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. At all other times, such equipment may be used notwithstanding the general decibel limits, a carve-out that legalizes normal daytime yard work. Pool pumps and dewatering pumps in good working order are separately exempt. This is a county rule for unincorporated Santa Rosa County only; incorporated cities may differ.
Violations & Fines
Operating equipment above the limits in the restricted window is a specific-prohibition violation: $150 first, $300 second, and triple plus possible 60 days jail for a third. Warning issued first; each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a leaf blower in the daytime?
Is there a distance rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa County
How Santa Rosa County compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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