Fort Lauderdale, FL Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

City of Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 17-7(9), part of the noise chapter's specific restrictions, makes it unlawful for anyone to cause a rapid throttle advance, commonly called revving, of an internal combustion engine on a motor vehicle, motorcycle, moped or motorized scooter that results in a noise disturbance. Sec. 17-1 defines noise disturbance broadly as any sound that is unreasonably loud, raucous or jarring to reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities, that affects health, safety or welfare, or that exceeds the decibel limits fixed in Sec.

17-6 (60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime outdoors on residential property). The definitions section separately covers motor vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds and motorized scooters by cross-reference to Florida Statutes Sec. 03, so the rule reaches ordinary cars and trucks as well as two-wheeled vehicles. This engine-revving rule is distinct from the city's amplified-sound standard for car stereos in the public right-of-way (Sec. 17-7(1)(b)), which sets a 25-foot plainly-audible line; Sec. 17-7(9) instead targets the mechanical roar of the engine itself, whether or not any music is playing.

A separate exemption in Sec. 17-8(8) excuses motor vehicles, mopeds and motorized scooters that are muffled in accordance with state law from the chapter's general sound-level limits, meaning a properly muffled vehicle operating normally is not automatically in violation even though a deliberately revved engine can still trigger Sec. 17-7(9) on its own terms. Enforcement runs through noise control officers designated in Sec. 17-3: environmental inspectors, building and zoning inspectors, code enforcement officers and sworn police personnel, any of whom can investigate a complaint and issue a citation.