Highlands County, FL Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Highlands 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
- Night limit (residential/ag)
- 60 dBA, 9:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
- Day limit (residential/ag)
- 65 dBA, 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
- Commercial/industrial limit
- 75 dBA day and night
- Enforced by
- Code Enforcement & Sheriff's Office
- Penalty
- Class I civil infraction, daily
- Relief available
- Waiver/permit from county administrator
Summary
In unincorporated Highlands County, the Noise Control Ordinance bars any excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable noise that disturbs a neighborhood, and Table I of Section 5.6-106 layers on fixed nighttime limits. Residential and agricultural property drops from 65 dBA in the daytime to 60 dBA between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; commercial and industrial land stays at 75 dBA around the clock.
(b)Maximum sound level generated across real property lines. The sound from any activity or from any permissible use of property within the applicable zoning district classifications of Highlands County ... shall be deemed excessive, unnecessary, offensive or unusually loud if the total sound level due to both ambient sound and the alleged source ... exceeds the sound levels prescribed in Table I ... TABLE I. ... APPLICABLE SOUND LIMITS Sound level in Decibels A-Scale (DBA) Zoning District Day 6:00 a.m.—9:00 p.m. Night 9:00 p.m.—6:00 a.m. Agricultural 65 60 Residential 65 60 Commercial or Business 75 75 Industrial or Manufacturing 75 75
Full Breakdown
6-104 makes it a violation for anyone to make or continue any excessive, unnecessary or unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace, quiet or enjoyment of a neighborhood or residence, or that causes discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitivities. Code enforcement officers weigh nine listed factors, including the noise's volume, intensity, time of day, duration and the zoning of both the source and the receiving land. , while commercial, business, industrial and manufacturing land is held to 75 dBA both day and night. 6-109, at least four feet above ground and ten feet from any wall or obstruction.
6-108 waiver or permit issued by the county administrator. Interior sound crossing between multifamily dwelling units is separately capped at 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime under Table II.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Sections 5.6-104 or 5.6-106 is enforced under article XII of chapter 2 as a Class I civil infraction punishable under Sections 2-372 and 2-373, with each day the noise continues counted as a separate offense. Highlands County Code Enforcement Officers and Sheriff's Office deputies issue the citations, and the board of county commissioners or a substantially affected resident may also sue in circuit court under Section 5.6-111 for an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the nighttime noise limits in unincorporated Highlands County?
Do I need a decibel reading to report a noise problem?
Can a business get relief from the nighttime limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highlands County
How Highlands County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Highlands County to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
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