Quiet hours in Winter Haven, FL — also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time — define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Winter Haven's noise control rules are codified in Chapter 12, Article II, Sections 12-26 through 12-55 of the Code of Ordinances (originally adopted 1959, repeatedly amended). The City does not publish a single residential decibel cap; instead Chapter 12 prohibits unreasonably loud, raucous, or disturbing noise as a public nuisance.
Chapter 12, Article II ("Noise") covers the City's general nuisance noise authority. Enforcement is handled by Winter Haven Code Compliance (Safe Neighborhoods Division, 863-291-5697, code@mywinterhaven.com) and the Winter Haven Police Department. Section 12-39 (added by Ordinance O-15-11 on January 26, 2015) directly incorporates Polk County Ordinance No. 14-073 prohibiting unreasonably excessive sound from motor vehicles - sound is "unreasonably excessive" when it is plainly audible at 50 feet or more from the vehicle, including a rhythmic bass reverberation. Complaints during evening hours typically go to WHPD non-emergency dispatch; appeals of code-compliance citations are heard by the Special Magistrate on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 451 3rd Street NW.
General nuisance noise violations are enforced under Chapter 12 with code-compliance citations or a Special Magistrate hearing. Motor-vehicle sound violations under Sec. 12-39 carry a $100 first-offense fine, $250 second offense, and $500 third or subsequent offense per Polk County Ordinance 14-073, Section 6.
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