Quiet hours in Fort Lauderdale, FL — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Fort Lauderdale Code Chapter 17 (Noise Control) caps residential outdoor sound at 60 dBA / 70 dBC from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 50 dBA / 60 dBC from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. A 2024 amendment also bars non-amplified residential sound that is plainly audible 25 feet from the property line at night (50 feet by day).
Fort Lauderdale enforces noise through Code of Ordinances Chapter 17 (Noise Control), enacted by Ord. C-08-37 (July 15, 2008) and amended by Ord. C-24- in November 2024 to add C-weighted (dBC) limits that capture low-frequency bass. Section 17-5 makes it unlawful 'to make or continue or cause to be made or continued any noise disturbance.' Section 17-6 Table I sets maximum permissible sound levels: residential outdoor 60 dBA / 70 dBC (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 50 dBA / 60 dBC (10 p.m.-7 a.m.); residential indoor 45 dBA / 55 dBC (day) and 35 dBA / 45 dBC (night). Commercial limits are 65 dBA / 75 dBC outdoor and industrial 75 dBA / 85 dBC, both 24 hours. If a residence sits within 200 feet of a commercial, industrial, or mixed use, the daytime outdoor limit rises to 65 dBA / 75 dBC. The 2024 amendment added Section 17-7(10), barring non-amplified residential sound plainly audible for one minute or longer at 25 feet (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) or 50 feet (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) from the source property line. Measurements use LMAX of three 30-second readings within one hour.
Violations are enforced by noise control officers (environmental inspectors, building/zoning inspectors, code enforcement officers, and police) under Section 17-3, and are punishable under Section 17-2 by the penalties in Section 1-6 and/or Chapter 11 of the Code. Active disturbances are reported to the city's 311 / non-emergency line.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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