Noise Ordinance

NOISE COMPLAINTS

What is a Noise Ordinance?

The purpose of the City of Gainesville’s Noise Ordinance, Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances, is to protect the quality of life for Gainesville’s citizens. The ordinance states: “Excessive sound within the limits of the city is a condition which has existed for some time and the amount and intensity of such sound is increasing. Such excessive sound is detrimental to the public health, safety, welfare and quality of life of the residents of the City.”

The Gainesville Police Department has the responsibility of enforcing the Noise Ordinance. This is being accomplished through education of the public and strict enforcement of the ordinance.

How Does the Noise Ordinance Define a Noise Disturbance?

Noises which classify as disturbances are regulated by the Noise Ordinance. A noise disturbance is sound that meets any of these three criteria:

	Disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities
	Exceeds the sound level limit set forth in the ordinance, as measured by a sound level meter
	Is plainly audible, which is defined as noise that can be heard a minimum of 200 feet from the property line of the source of the noise - This type of noise includes amplified music, musical instruments, televisions, radios and non-amplified human voices (“yelling, shouting, whistling, hooting or generally creating a racket”)

What are Some Examples of Common Noise Disturbances?

These are the most common noise disturbances reported:

	Loud parties
	Barking dogs
	Construction
	Domestic power tools
	Apartments
	Loud car stereos

How is the Ordinance Enforced? What are the Penalties?

Police officers enforce the City’s Noise Ordinance by issuing a Warning Notice or a Civil Citation to the violator. If an officer determines that there is a noise violation, a Warning Notice is issued to the violator for the first incident. The warning remains in effect for 365 days. If another noise violation occurs within 365 days, the violator is issued a Civil Citation, and a new 365-day period begins. Warning Notices and Civil Citations are recorded at the Police Department. Fines for noise violations are:

1^st Offense: Warning Notice, in effect for 365 days, no fine

2^nd Offense: Within 365 days of the Warning Notice, issue a Civil Citation with a $250 fine

3^rd Offense: Within 365 days of the first Civil Citation, issues a Civil Citation with a $500 fine

4^th Offense: Within 365 days of the second Civil Citation, issue a Civil Citation with a mandatory court appearance, and a fine to be determined up to $500

How Do I Report A Noise Disturbance?

Follow these simple steps to report a noise disturbance in your area:

Call the Communications Center at (352) 955-1818

Give the call taker the following information:

	Your name, address and phone numbers. You may wish to remain anonymous, but this information is helpful in successful enforcement of the ordinance and is required to enforce a noise violation based solely on disturbing a reasonable person of normal sensibilities
	Location of the source of the noise disturbance, an address if possible
	Description of the type of noise, such as loud music, barking dogs, a loud party, etc. How long has the disturbance been going on?
	Be as descriptive as possible. Is there a large crowd or parking problems? Is there an alcohol-related problem, such a people with open containers of alcohol on public streets, or underage drinking?

Due to other calls for officer assistance, it may take awhile for an officer to respond. Please be patient, your call IS important to us

Click on the link to read about the violation procedures regarding noise (see Chapter 15 from the Code of Ordinances City of Gainesville): Municode.com | Online Library

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