Tampa noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in Tampa?

Quiet hours: Outside Ybor City and the Arena District, sound that can plainly be heard 100 feet or more from the source's property line from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. counts as evidence of a violation. Construction near homes: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Right now: Checking the clock for Tampa.
Who to call: For loud music, the City says to call Tampa Police non-emergency at (813) 231-6130. For animal noise, file a Tampa Connect request with Neighborhood Enhancement. Emergencies: 911.
The law: Tampa City Code Chapter 14, Article III, Noise (§§ 14-151 to 14-164), § 19-77 for animals and § 5-120.2 for construction. Read the code

Write a letter for Tampa Log incidents on this device

We checked this against the city's code and website on November 2, 2026.

Tampa's noise rules are Article III of Chapter 14 of the Tampa City Code. Ybor City and the Arena District have decibel limits (§ 14-153). The rest of the city uses a "loud and raucous" test (§ 14-154). Barking dogs are covered in Chapter 19, and construction hours are in Chapter 5.

What is too loud in Tampa?

Outside Ybor City and the Arena District, it is unlawful to make or allow "unreasonably excessive noise" from a property (§ 14-154(a)). That means sound that is "unreasonably loud and raucous": loud or long enough to harm the health or well-being of "a reasonable individual of ordinary sensibilities" (§ 14-154(b)).

An officer weighs factors such as (§ 14-154(c)):

Whether the sound can plainly be heard inside the complainant's closed home
Whether it causes vibration, rattling or thumping inside that home
How long it lasts and whether it repeats

A resident can also make a sworn complaint. The officer then considers the time of day, how long the noise lasted, past complaints, the distance and how many people were affected (§ 14-154(d)).

From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., sound that can plainly be heard 100 feet or more from the source's property line, at or inside another property, counts as prima facie evidence that it is loud and raucous (§ 14-154(e)). That means it counts as proof unless the other side shows otherwise. "Plainly audible" includes bass, and in apartment and condo buildings the property line includes the walls, floors and ceilings between units (§ 14-152). Sound from a vehicle can't be plainly heard 50 feet or more away (§ 14-155).

Barking dogs

The noise article doesn't cover intermittent barking (§ 14-158(9)). Section 19-77(c) makes it unlawful to let an animal bark, howl or make similar sounds "persistently or continuously for a period of twenty (20) minutes or longer" when it isn't kept inside an enclosure that muffles the noise. "Persistently or continuously" means nonstop, with breaks of less than 20 seconds.

The owner can be charged only if the City gets one of these:

Sworn complaints from at least two unrelated adults living at different homes
A sworn complaint plus a video of the barking from one adult
A sworn complaint from one adult, plus a code officer who witnessed the nuisance

The people complaining must live within 500 feet of the property. A first violation in a calendar year brings a warning. A second at the same place within a year can bring a $75 civil citation. For a first citation, the owner can take an approved pet ownership course within 30 days instead of paying (§ 19-77(c)).

Construction and yard work

Construction noise on private property within 1,500 feet of an occupied home is allowed only (§ 5-120.2.2):

Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pile drivers and jackhammers can be used on weekends only from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (§ 5-120.2.3). A first offense brings a verbal notice. A second brings a stop work order. Later offenses bring added stop work order fees (§ 5-120.2.4). Section 14-161 still points to an old section number, 5-301.2, for construction noise. The rules now sit in § 5-120.2, which is the section the City's noise page names.

Lawn mowers, blowers and power tools used for reasonable property upkeep are exempt from the noise article (§ 14-158(6)). The code gives no hours for them.

How do I report noise in Tampa?

The City's noise complaint page says loud music complaints should go to the Tampa Police non-emergency number, (813) 231-6130, so an officer can be sent. Animal noise complaints go to the Neighborhood Enhancement Division through a Tampa Connect request. For an emergency, call 911.

Before writing a citation for property noise, the officer must warn the person responsible. A citation can follow if the noise isn't brought down within five minutes or doesn't stay down for 48 hours (§ 14-159(a)(1)).

Fines and penalties

Violations of §§ 14-153, 14-154 and 14-155 are Class II civil infractions: $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second and $450 for a third or later offense (§ 23.5-5). Barking dog citations under § 19-77 are Class I, starting at $75 (§ 19-77(c); § 23.5-5).

Keeping a noise log

Tampa's barking rule needs 20 minutes of nonstop noise and sworn complaints. If you send a video, the City's page says it must reach the City within 7 business days of your Tampa Connect request. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the date, time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report. Phone readings are estimates.

Tampa noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Tampa?

Outside Ybor City and the Arena District, sound that can plainly be heard 100 feet or more from the source's property line from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. counts as evidence of a violation. Construction near homes: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Tampa?

For loud music, the City says to call Tampa Police non-emergency at (813) 231-6130. For animal noise, file a Tampa Connect request with Neighborhood Enhancement. Emergencies: 911.

Where are Tampa's noise rules?

Tampa City Code Chapter 14, Article III, Noise (§§ 14-151 to 14-164), § 19-77 for animals and § 5-120.2 for construction. 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 Tampa?

A noise citation under § 14-154 is a Class II civil infraction: $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second and $450 for a third or later offense. The officer must first warn the person and give them five minutes to turn it down.

Sources

Last checked November 2, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.