Noise Program

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Hillsborough County has experienced record growth since the 1980’s. As the county becomes more populated, the chance for noise to negatively impact our lives increases. By being more aware of noise and how it impacts us, we can all reduce the potential for noise pollution.

For additional information or clarification regarding EPC noise standards, please see our

informational guide. You may also contact a member of the noise monitoring team at 813-627-2600.

Regulated Noise Sources

We regulate noise from industry and commercial sources in the county through the EPC Ch. 1-10, Noise Pollution Rule, including Plant City and Temple Terrace.

The City of Tampa has its own noise ordinances to address noise within the city. We work cooperatively with the City of Tampa to address noise concerns within the city limits.

Hillsborough County also has its own noise ordinance that is regulated concurrently with EPC’s Noise Pollution Rule by law enforcement within unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Noise Standards Summary

The noise standards are determined by the type of land receiving the noise and are generally stricter for residential properties. The decibel limits indicated for each receiving property type may vary by time of day, as shown in the chart below:

Receiving Property Type	Time Period	A-Scale Limit in Decibels*
Residential	7:00am - 10:00pm	60
Residential	10:00pm - 7:00am	55
Commercial Areas	All Times	65
Industrial Areas	All Times	70

*measured as an equivalent continuous noise level, Leq, over a 10-minute period of time

Octave Band Standards

In addition, the following individual octave band standards apply to sources of sound that impact residential property:

Time period	OcTave Band (Hz)	Sound Level Limit in Decibels
7:00am - 11:00pm	63	70
	125	64
	250	57
11:00pm -7:00am	63	65
	125	59
	250	53

Source Specific Noise Requirements

Construction noise sources are exempt from EPC’s Noise Pollution Rule between 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. as long as reasonable precautions are taken to abate the noise pollution and must meet the noise standards at all other times.

Competitive Motor Vehicle Events require all facilities meet the noise standards effective on September 18, 2008. EPC authorization must be approved prior to proposed construction, alteration or expansion activities and require submission of the following:

A Competitive Motor Vehicle Events Form, a written demonstration of ability to meet the noise standards, and modeling by an acoustical expert.
Existing facilities must submit a Competitive Motor Vehicle Events Form annually, no later than November 1.
Additional noise requirements for East Bay Raceway are found in Section 1-10.05(4) of the Noise Pollution Rule.

Exempted Noise Sources

Certain sources of noise are exempt from the requirements of the Noise Pollution Rule and our noise nuisance regulations, such as vehicle noise, disturbance of the peace, aircraft, railroad and animal nuisances.

If you have a noise concern or complaint that involves these sources, here are the appropriate government offices to contact: