Alachua County, FL Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Alachua County, FL, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Daytime hours
- 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Nighttime hours
- 9:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
- Residential nighttime limit
- 55 dBA (down from 60 daytime)
- Commercial nighttime limit
- 60 dBA (down from 65 daytime)
- Interior apartment nighttime limit
- 45 dBA (Table II)
- Industrial/agricultural limit
- 75 dBA, unchanged day or night
Summary
Alachua County lowers its ambient noise ceiling every night from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.: residential property lines drop from 60 to 55 dBA, commercial from 65 to 60 dBA, while industrial and agricultural stay at 75 dBA both day and night, under the county's general excessive-noise standard.
The noise from any activity or from any permissible use of property within the applicable zoning district classifications of Alachua County shall be deemed to be excessive, unnecessary, offensive and unusually loud if the total noise level as measured on the A-scale due to both ambient noise, and the alleged source of the unnecessary, offensive or excessive noise, exceeds the noise levels which are herein prescribed in table I, the measurement of which is based upon decibels, i.e. 0.0002 microbar.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
Section 110.02 makes it unlawful to make or allow any noise that exceeds the levels set in Chapter 110. Section 110.04(a) implements that ban through Table I, which sets an A-weighted sound level limit (L10, exceeded no more than 10% of the time) by zoning district and by "daytime" (7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Sec. 110.01(d)) versus "nighttime" (9:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m., Sec. 110.01(j)): residential drops from 60 dBA daytime to 55 dBA nighttime, commercial/business from 65 to 60 dBA, while industrial/manufacturing and agricultural stay flat at 75 dBA around the clock. A separate Table II under Sec. 110.04(b) governs sound carrying between multi-family dwelling units, capping interior noise at 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime, though any complaint under this subsection requires a signed sworn affidavit before a warrant issues. Measurements must use an ANSI-standard sound level meter positioned at the nearest adjacent real property line, at least four feet above ground and ten feet from obstructions (Sec. 110.09).
Violations & Fines
A Chapter 110 violation is a second-degree misdemeanor under F.S. §§ 775.082 and 775.083, or may be processed through the civil citation procedure of F.S. Chapter 162 (Sec. 110.06). The Board of County Commissioners may also pursue injunctive relief for ongoing violations (Sec. 110.07), and the Sheriff's Office is the primary enforcing agency, applying the warning-then-notice procedure of Sec. 110.08.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much quieter does Alachua County require at night?
What hours count as "nighttime" under the ordinance?
Does the decibel limit apply inside apartment buildings?
How is compliance measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
How Alachua County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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