Kissimmee, Florida. – Members of the Kissimmee City Commission have approved the city ordinance regulating excessive noise. This is a more aggressive measure that makes it easier for authorities to enforce the regulations.
If the volume of the music you are listening to or playing can be heard 50 feet from a vehicle or property in Kissimmee, you could be fined $50 to $500.
Local authorities aim to maintain a pleasant environment for everyone, they said.
Wilson Muñoz of the Kissimmee Police Criminal Investigations Division told Telemundo 31 that “in one year, police responded to some 2,200 excessive noise complaints across the city of Kissimmee. Unlike state law, this ordinance applies to property and cars.”
Muñoz said the order was based on situations like downtown Kissimmee, a residential area of the city.
“This area is residential and has commercial properties. We got a lot of complaints because people going to dinner couldn’t have a conversation because they could hear the noise of the music.” He also said that low music volume helps improve quality of life.
When will the prescription start?
The City of Kissimmee has 90 days to educate and prepare to implement the new noise control measure.
Would this apply to everyone?
No. The order does not apply to construction workers or other essential vehicles.
What is the amount per violation?
A. First offense in the year: $50.00.
B. Second offense in the year: $100.00.
C. Third offense in the year: $250.00.
D. All subsequent offenses in a year: $500.00
Why was the measure changed?
Members of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board led the drafting of the document that the amendment provides clearer criteria that police and elements of the Code Enforcement Department can follow to impose fines, so they would only have to use an instrument to measure decibels.