Council adopts noise ordinance expanding vehicle music restrictions after public comment

The Crestview City Council on second reading adopted Ordinance 19‑90, amending section 30‑1 of the city code to mirror a July 2022 Florida statute that prohibits excessively loud music from vehicles, and expanding the rule to apply to vehicles generally (including stationary vehicles on private property). The motion passed 4‑1.

The ordinance was presented by staff as a local version of the state law intended to address a gap staff have encountered: violators can move a vehicle off the roadway and continue the nuisance from private property. City staff said the ordinance will allow enforcement against vehicles designed to project sound beyond the passengers rather than only vehicles on roadways.

Why it matters: Council members and residents debated how the ordinance would be enforced and whether it is overbroad. Councilman Bullard said the proposal could criminalize everyday activities and questioned practical enforcement methods, asking rhetorically whether officers would use a tape measure for the ordinance’s 25‑foot standard. The Police Chief and staff explained the ordinance mirrors the state standard and described typical enforcement scenarios, including vehicles left running while washing a car that project sound into neighbors’ homes.

Public comment highlighted concerns about unintended consequences. Kenneth Sauer said the ordinance could silence traditional parade music and seasonal fire‑truck calls: “It’s gonna be pretty sad this Christmas when that fire truck come around playing ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’ … That, you know, when you have Mardi Gras, you got music playing for those cars going through.” Another speaker questioned whether routine activities such as washing a car with a radio on would be prohibited.

Council debate centered on definitions and scope: one council member asked how the phrase “louder than necessary for convenient hearing” would be adjudicated; staff and the Police Chief said enforcement uses a reasonableness standard similar to other nuisance rules and that the statute provides the operative framework. A council member who said he regularly opens car doors and listens while washing a car stated he “could not support” the ordinance as drafted.

The final vote was 4 in favor, 1 opposed; the council did not identify a mover in the public record. The ordinance will be sent to the mayor for signature as the next step.

The council reopened the item for public comment as required for second reading before concluding the vote.