KISSIMMEE — The Kissimmee City Commission on Tuesday approved Ordinance 3119 (proposed Ordinance 25-07), revising the city’s noise rules to establish tiered decibel limits and to allow outdoor speakers until midnight for certain alcohol-licensed businesses. The ordinance passed by voice/roll-call vote 4-0; Commissioner Alvarez was absent.

The ordinance keeps a maximum of 85 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., lowers the limit to 70 decibels from 10 p.m. to midnight (the commission amended an earlier draft that used 75 decibels in that period), and sets 65 decibels from midnight until 7 a.m. The new rules permit outdoor loudspeakers for businesses that hold an alcohol sales business tax receipt (BTR) and meet other location and orientation requirements; staff and commissioners said the extended speaker allowance was intended only for existing businesses meeting those conditions.

City Attorney (staff) summarized the changes at the second and final reading, saying the draft “implements a graduated reduction in the decibel levels at certain periods” and explained enforcement steps. Under the ordinance the first violation is a warning; a second violation carries a $400 fine. If that fine is unpaid after 30 days it will be transmitted to the county clerk of court and may result in a court appearance; a third violation may be scheduled with the code enforcement magistrate and, in serious cases, could lead to civil fines up to $15,000 or liens on property.

The public hearing drew multiple downtown business owners and musicians, who urged the commission to allow later hours for music and events. Igor Baez, who identified himself as downtown business owner at 112 Broadway, said the earlier 10 p.m. cutoff “hit me very, very bad” and asked the commission to make the change effective immediately so this weekend’s business could continue. Tom Capp, a downtown property owner, said he would remain within the new distance and decibel rules and did not intend to operate past 2 a.m. Several musicians and customers described the venue known as La Callejón as a cultural gathering place and urged the commission to preserve late-night live music and jobs.

At the hearing Linda Ross, a Lakeshore-area resident, urged commissioners to remember residents who "bear the brunt of the loud music and events in the downtown district," noting that tenants with varying work schedules “deserve a quiet environment.” Ross said she supported the ordinance’s gradual-volume approach as a compromise.

Commissioners debated enforcement history and the practicalities of policing new rules. Commissioner Martinez asked about how the code would apply to property maintenance and outdoor equipment; staff clarified that the ordinance sets the decibel limits and that routine work affecting neighbors remains subject to the same hours. Vice Mayor Angela Eady stressed that the city has had noise restrictions for decades and said the commission’s goal was to enforce existing rules fairly, not to close businesses. Eady asked staff to ensure enforcement mechanisms collect unpaid fines and to provide training and a current list of businesses allowed extended outdoor speaker hours to law enforcement.

City staff said the change to allow outdoor speakers until midnight applies to businesses with an active alcohol business tax receipt at their current location; new businesses would not automatically receive that allowance. The commission and staff discussed a practical enforcement aid — maintaining and distributing a searchable list of approved addresses to officers — and said code enforcement would pursue unpaid fines and place liens when appropriate to encourage compliance.

The ordinance was adopted on a 4-0 roll call. Mayor Espinosa said the commission wants downtown businesses and residents to coexist and called for cooperation and compliance by all parties.