Walton County, FL Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)

Walton County Code § 9-135, adopted by Ordinance No. 2014-16 in July 2014, makes it unlawful for anyone to make, cause or permit a 'noise disturbance' between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. that is plainly audible from within an occupied residence other than the one where the noise originates. Section 9-132 defines 'plainly audible' as a sound a person with unaided hearing can clearly make out from 25 feet or more beyond the property line where it originates, and defines 'noise disturbance' as any sound of continuous duration that disturbs the peace, quiet and repose of a person of ordinary sensibilities.

The county runs a two-step enforcement ladder. A law enforcement or code enforcement officer who finds a violation must first issue a written warning describing the violation and the possible penalties. Under the companion daytime rule at § 9-134, any further violation after that warning is a civil infraction carrying a $500.00 fine. Under § 9-135, however, a violation within 24 hours of the written warning during the nighttime window becomes a criminal offense enforced under F.S. § 125.69, rather than the civil route.

Owners, on-premises managers and leaseholders are treated as exercising control over noise from their premises unless a third-party invitee or licensee caused it and the owner made reasonable, lawful attempts to stop it, including calling law enforcement to remove the person; they are not responsible for a trespasser's noise. Section 9-136 exempts sounds from emergency vehicles, sanitation trucks, road construction, permitted daytime construction, self-adjusting back-up alarms, routine daytime lawn care, military operations, aircraft, and permitted outdoor events and school events.