The Destin City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 25-11-CC during its June 2, 2025 meeting on second reading, implementing significant changes to how noise violations are measured and enforced in the city.
- The changes stem from concerns Councilmember Rodney Braden raised during a February 18, 2025 council meeting about inconsistent noise ordinance applications and unresolved repeated issues. Several residents approached the council or attended meetings seeking resolution of specific noise problems.
The new ordinance replaces the previous requirement that noise violations in residential districts be heard at 150 feet from the property line. Under the revised rules, noise between residential properties is now prohibited when “plainly audible” beyond the setbacks of the underlying zoning district for the abutting property line.
The city is adopting what it calls a “plainly audible” standard instead of using decibel meters. According to the ordinance, the city council determined this standard is “superior to the use of a decibel meter due to evidentiary issues encountered via the use of such decibel meter is relied upon in court proceedings.”
The ordinance establishes different distance and time requirements based on property types. Non-residential properties abutting residential areas cannot produce plainly audible noise between 10 PM and 6 AM within the residential zoning setbacks, and cannot exceed 300 feet during daytime hours from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Construction and demolition activities are now restricted to hours between 7 AM and 8 PM Monday through Friday, and 8 AM to 6 PM on weekends, with no construction noise allowed on federal holidays. Previously, construction could begin at 6 AM.
- Lawn maintenance activities are limited to 7 AM until 8 PM daily, reduced from the previous 9 PM cutoff.
The ordinance increases penalties, with third offense fines rising from $250 to $500. Each hour that a noise violation exists constitutes a separate violation.
According to the city, the amendments were developed in coordination with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to ensure they are as easily enforceable for law enforcement as they are for Code Compliance Staff.
