Jacksonville noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in Jacksonville?

Quiet hours: Nighttime is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. under EPB Rule 4.
Right now: Checking the clock for Jacksonville.
Who to call: Noise complaints: 630-CITY (904-630-2489). JSO non-emergency: 904-630-0500.
The law: Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 368. Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on October 17, 2026.

Jacksonville splits its noise law into two documents. Chapter 368 of the Ordinance Code, the Jacksonville Noise Control Ordinance, makes it unlawful to create a noise disturbance and sets the penalties. The actual decibel limits and hours are in Rule 4 of the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board, which the chapter lets the board adopt (§ 368.106). You need both to know where the line is.

The chapter applies throughout the General Services District (§ 368.102).

What the ordinance prohibits

Section 368.201 is short: no one may make or continue "a noise disturbance or a noise in excess of the standards for noise established in the rules of the Board." Section 368.104(h) defines a noise disturbance as a sound that exceeds a board standard or breaks a board work-practice standard.

So in Jacksonville, a violation is tied to the numbers and rules in Rule 4. The ordinance does not have a separate "unreasonably loud" test like many other cities.

Sound is measured with a meter "at or within the real property boundary of the receiving land use" (§ 368.203). That means the reading is taken on the complainant's side, not at the source.

Daytime and nighttime

Rule 4 defines the hours:

Daytime: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nighttime: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Decibel limits

Rule 4 sorts land into classes by land-use code (Rule 4.201). Class A is listed as "Noise Sensitive Areas." Class B, C and D cover other uses, and the exact codes for each class are in 4.201.

For sound reaching Class A land, the limits in Rule 4.202 are:

Daytime: 55 dBA from Class A or B land, 60 dBA from Class C, 65 dBA from Class D
Nighttime: 55 dBA from Class A, B or C land, 60 dBA from Class D

For sound reaching Class B land, Rule 4.203 sets the same dBA numbers: 55, 55, 60 and 65 in the daytime, and 55, 55, 55 and 60 at night. Both sections also set octave-band limits. Those limits are used when someone takes a detailed meter reading.

Other limits in Rule 4 that neighbors run into:

Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment: 60 dBA at the complainant's property line for Class A or B land (Rule 4.213)
Leaf blowers: 80 dBA at the complainant's property line from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and no leaf blowers or lawn equipment at all from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Rule 4.215)
Alarms and sirens, other than fire, burglary or civil defense: no more than 15 minutes of continuous sound or 60 dBA at the complainant's property line, with some exceptions (Rule 4.210)

Construction at night

Rule 4.209 bars construction or maintenance equipment during nighttime hours, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. It allows a few exceptions, such as generators and pumps that stay at or under 60 dBA, and some permitted concrete pours away from occupied homes.

What is exempt

Section 368.105 exempts emergency warnings and emergency work, farm activity under Florida's Right to Farm Act, commercial boats, mass transit, aircraft and rail (except switching yards), unamplified bells and chimes, sport shooting ranges, safety relief valves, and the unamplified human voice.

That last exemption is worth knowing. A loud conversation or shouting without a speaker is outside Chapter 368.

Who to contact

The city's Environmental Quality Division handles noise. Its Air Quality page says to file a complaint by calling the city's complaint line at 630-CITY (904-630-2489) or submitting it online through MyJax. The division can also be emailed at airresponse@coj.net.

For a disturbance happening right now, the city lists the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office non-emergency number as 904-630-0500. Rule 4.107 lets any city law enforcement officer write a citation for breaking the rule. Call 911 for emergencies.

Penalties

Making noise above the board's standards is a class D offense under § 368.301(c)(3). On conviction, a person who acted knowingly and willfully or with culpable negligence can be fined up to $500, jailed up to 90 days, or both (§ 368.301(a)). Each day is a separate offense.

The city can also seek a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation for a noise disturbance (§ 368.302(a)), assessed through the administrative process in Chapter 360 or in court (§ 368.303). Rule 4.106 says a citation written by a city law enforcement officer is enforced as a class D offense.

Keeping a record

Because Jacksonville's rule is built on decibel readings at your property line, a written log of when the noise happens helps the inspector know when to come out. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the date, time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports the log as a PDF report or a complaint letter. A phone reading is not a calibrated meter. So treat it as a record of the pattern. The official reading still has to come from the city.

Jacksonville noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Jacksonville?

Nighttime is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. under EPB Rule 4.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Jacksonville?

Noise complaints: 630-CITY (904-630-2489). JSO non-emergency: 904-630-0500.

Where are Jacksonville's noise rules?

Jacksonville Ordinance Code Chapter 368. There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

What is the fine for a noise violation in Jacksonville?

On conviction, up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both. The city can also seek a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.