- April 26, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
New noise regulations are designed to make the unincorporated areas of Flagler County a bit quieter: The County Commission on April 18 unanimously approved an ordinance that lets law enforcement officers fine people for producing loud noises.
Deputies responding to noise complaints will use decibel meters to measure sound levels.
"This was an ordinance requested by the sheriff so that he would have an additional tool to deal with nuisance noise," County Attorney Al Hadeed told commissioners at the meeting.
Deputies responding to noise complaints will use decibel meters to measure sound levels.
The new ordinance affects only the incorporated areas of Flagler County — local cities already have their own noise ordinances — and allows different sound levels in different zoning designations.
In residential areas, no one will be allowed to create noise exceeding 60 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., or 55 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., when measured beyond their property lines.
In areas zoned as commercial, office and public lands, the 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. decibel limit is 70 dBA and the 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. limit is 65 dBA, while the limit in agricultural areas it is 75 dBA at all times.
The ordinance contains exceptions for lawn mowers and landscaping machinery during daylight hours; construction equipment operating with standard noise reducing equipment; motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains; non-amplified human voices; contractors' vehicles and activities engaged in public service; safety signals, warning devices and emergency response sirens and county-sponsored or county-sanctioned events.
Enforcement would start with a written warning and a notice to cure, according to the text of the new ordinance. A second violation within 180 days would lead to a $250 citation, and a third violation within 180 days would be a misdemeanor with a $500 citation, imprisonment for up to 60 days, or both.
Citations could be issued to the person responsible for the noise or to the property owner who owns the address where the nuisance noise occurred.
