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 Fort Lauderdale
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 17. NOISE CONTROL

  § 17-6. Maximum permissible dBA sound levels.  

Latest version.

  • Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, it shall be unlawful, except as expressly permitted herein, to cause, allow, or permit the making of any sound which exceeds the limits set forth in this section.

    TABLE I
    MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SOUND LEVEL LIMITS dBA

    USE
    		TIMES
    		OUTDOOR
    		INDOOR
    Residential 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.     		60 dBA*
    50 dBA     		45 dBA
    35 dBA
    Commercial 24 hours 65 dBA 55 dBA
    Industrial 24 hours 75 dBA 65 dBA

     

    *If the residential use is within a commercial, industrial, or mixed use, or within two hundred (200) feet of such use, the outdoor sound level limit is sixty-five (65) dBA between 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

    Sound level measurements shall be taken as follows:

    a.

    The sound level limit for the complainant's use shall apply.

    b.

    Outdoor sound level measurements shall be taken on or within the real property line of the complainant.

    c.

    Indoor sound level measurements shall apply when the sound source is on or within the same parcel of land as the complainant or when the real property line between the sound source and the complainant is a common wall, floor, or ceiling. Indoor sound level measurements shall be taken within the premises of the complainant.

    d.

    Three (3) measurements of the normal, usual operation of the sound source under investigation shall be taken. The metric that shall be applied is LMAX. Each of the three (3) measurements shall be no less than thirty (30) seconds in duration, and all three (3) measurements shall be taken within any one-hour period. If the sound source under investigation is of a total duration of less than ninety (90) seconds, one thirty-second measurement shall be sufficient.

    1.

    Impulsive sound:

    a.

    Between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily, impulsive sounds which occur ten (10) or more times in any one (1) hour shall not exceed the permissible sound level limits as set forth in Table I, and impulsive sounds which occur less than four (4) times in any one-hour period shall not equal or exceed twenty (20) decibels above the permissible sound level limits as set forth in Table I.

    b.

    Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. daily, impulsive sounds which occur four (4) or more times in any one (1) hour shall not exceed the permissible sound level limits as set forth in Table I, and impulsive sounds which occur less than four (4) times in any one-hour period shall not equal or exceed twenty (20) decibels above the permissible sound level limits as set forth in Table I.

    2.

    Steady pure tones: If the sound source under investigation is a mechanical device, excluding HVAC equipment on residential property, and is emitting a sound with a steady tonal quality which does not fluctuate more than plus or minus three (3) dBA, the permissible sound level limits in Table I shall be reduced by five (5) dBA.

( Ord. No. C-08-37, § 2, 7-15-08 )