Seminole County, FL Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Seminole 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
- Residential quiet hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Nighttime residential limit
- 55 dB(A) / 60 dB(C)
- Daytime residential limit
- 60 dB(A) / 65 dB(C)
- Max criminal penalty
- 60 days jail or $500 fine
- Measurement standard
- ANSI S1.13, meter 50 ft from source
- Temporary permit authority
- County Manager, Sec. 165.52
Summary
Unincorporated Seminole County bans any Noise Disturbance under Code Sec. 165.21, and Sec. 165.22's Table 1 cuts the residential sound ceiling from 60 dB(A)/65 dB(C) by day to 55 dB(A)/60 dB(C) between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Violators face up to 60 days in jail, a $500 fine, and Code Enforcement Board citations for each day the noise continues.
(a)No Person is permitted to make, maintain, or cause to be made or maintained a Noise Disturbance unless the Sound is exempted in some manner under this Chapter.(c)The acts and circumstances listed in Sections 165.22—165.30 below are declared to be Sound specifically in violation of this Chapter. The enumeration is not exclusive. ... Table 1. A-Weighted and C-Weighted Sound Level Limits: Type of Receptor Premises / Time of Day or Night / Sound Level Limit dB(A) dB(C). Residential 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 60 65. 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 55 60.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 1 | Land Development Code: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 165 of the Seminole County Code opens with a blanket ban: no person may make or allow a 'Noise Disturbance' unless the sound is specifically exempted. 22 backs that ban with numeric ceilings measured at the property line of the complaining ('Receptor') property. the limit drops to 55 dB(A) and 60 dB(C), a 5-decibel cut that defines the county's quiet hours. Commercial receptor property gets a 65/60 dB(A) split and industrial, manufacturing, and public-use property is held to 75 dB(A) around the clock. 13, placed at least 50 feet from the source and 5 feet from reflective surfaces, with readings averaged over 60 seconds (10 minutes for 'Varying Sound' such as traffic or amplified music).
Pure-tone noise gets an extra 5 dB(A)/5 dB(C) reduction in the residential limit, while brief impulsive sounds (up to five per hour) get a 10 dB(A)/10 dB(C) daytime allowance. 52, which weighs hardship, proximity to residential property, and the timing and nature of the sound before approval.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 165 is punishable under Section 165.61 by up to 60 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both, with each day of continued noise a separate offense. The county also routes cases through the Code Enforcement Board or Special Magistrate under Chapter 53 for civil fines and liens, or issues Code Enforcement Citations under Chapter 53, Part 3. Section 165.62 lets the county sue for an injunction, and Section 165.63 preserves residents' right to bring their own civil suit against a noisy neighbor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Seminole County's noise quiet hours start?
How does the county measure a noise complaint?
Can I get a permit for a loud party or event?
What happens if I keep violating the noise ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seminole County
How Seminole County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Seminole County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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