Noise complaints are among the most common neighbor disputes, and the applicable rules depend on whether you are in unincorporated Pinellas County or inside a city.
Unincorporated Pinellas County limits (county code Ch. 58). Per the county's published enforcement summary:
- Residential areas: noise may not exceed 72 dBA between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
- Condominiums and apartments: 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 40 dBA from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured from a neighboring dwelling.
- Construction noise above 55 dBA is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and all day Sunday.
- Equipment that runs 24 hours near residential zones must be acoustically enclosed during quiet hours unless it stays under 55 dBA.
- Ordinary lawn equipment (mowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws) is exempt when used reasonably during permitted hours.
Commercial and industrial districts have their own decibel tables in the county code (for example, limits in the 60 to 72 dBA range depending on the adjoining district and time of day).
Who to call. In unincorporated areas, ongoing mechanical or business noise is a code enforcement matter, while parties, loud people, and vehicle noise go to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line, 727-582-6200.
Cities are different. St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the other municipalities enforce their own noise ordinances inside city limits, with different decibel limits, measurement methods, and quiet hours (downtown entertainment districts often have special rules). If you live in a city, look up that city's code or call its police non-emergency line; the county limits above do not apply to you.
Practical notes. Decibel-based ordinances are enforced with meter readings, so a complaint is stronger when you can document dates, times, and duration. Amplified music from bars and venues, barking dogs (handled under separate animal ordinances), and short-term rental parties each may follow different enforcement paths. For rental properties in the county's short-term rental program, quiet hours are part of the certificate conditions.
Exception processes exist for special events and construction outside normal hours; organizers should ask the county or city for a variance or event permit rather than assuming tolerance.