Highlands County, FL Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew
- 9:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- Covers
- Landscape maintenance, incl. blowers
- Related rule
- Outdoor power tools, same hours (5.6-105(14))
- Test used
- Plainly audible across property line
- Penalty
- Class I civil infraction, daily
Summary
Unincorporated Highlands County bars landscape maintenance activity, which covers gas leaf blowers along with mowers and trimmers, from creating a noise disturbance plainly audible across a residential property line between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. A related provision separately restricts power tools like saws, sanders and drills used outdoors in residential areas during the same hours.
(16)Landscape maintenance. It shall be a violation of this section for any person to conduct landscape maintenance activities in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance that is plainly audible across a real property line of any residential zoning district or residential area between the hours of 9:00 p.m. of one day and 6:00 a.m. of the next day.
Full Breakdown
of the next. The ordinance does not carve out leaf blowers by name or engine type, so the curfew applies to gas or electric blowers alongside mowers, edgers and trimmers whenever the equipment is loud enough to cross into a neighboring residential lot. 6-105(14) reinforces the same overnight window for outdoor power tools generally, including saws, sanders, drills and grinders used in residential areas. 6-106 remain available as an alternate, measurable standard in any zoning district. m.
Violations & Fines
A landscape-maintenance noise violation under Section 5.6-105(16) is a Class I civil infraction under Sections 2-372 and 2-373, enforced by Highlands County Code Enforcement Officers or the Sheriff's Office under article XII of chapter 2. Each evening the noise continues past 9:00 p.m. is a separate offense, and the county or a disturbed neighbor may pursue an injunction in circuit court under Section 5.6-111.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a leaf blower at night in unincorporated Highlands County?
Does the rule cover lawn mowers and power tools too?
Is there a decibel limit for lawn equipment specifically?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highlands County
How Highlands County compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Highlands County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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