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Putnam commissioners told ‘plainly audible’ standard is limited by state law; sheriff lacks calibrated meters
Summary
A resident urged the county to adopt the ‘plainly audible’ noise standard so deputies can cite repeat offenders; county counsel said the standard now applies to vehicle noise under Chapter 316, not general county code, and law‑enforcement sound‑meter calibration and officer certification lapsed, so staff will coordinate with the sheriff’s office on enforcement tools.
Resident Cynthia Lock urged the county to add a "plainly audible" standard to the noise ordinance so responding officers could issue citations without meter use during after‑hours disturbances.
"The plainly audible standard allows an officer to sight an offender if the noise is clearly detectable at a specific distance," Lock said, asking the county to adopt a 25‑foot plainly audible rule modeled on neighboring jurisdictions.
County counsel explained the legal limits: challenges led municipalities to drop plainly audible language in some local codes and the Florida Legislature subsequently limited plainly audible enforcement to vehicle noise under Chapter 316, which covers motor vehicle operation and loud radios. "I don't believe it would be legally permissible for a county to introduce the plainly audible standard" for general noise enforcement, counsel said. Commissioners also learned the sheriff's office previously had decibel meters but device calibration and officer certifications had lapsed; the county and sheriff agreed to talk about reestablishing measurement capability and enforcement protocols.
The board did not change the noise code at the meeting; staff and law‑enforcement leadership agreed to follow up on equipment, training, and any possible code options consistent with state law.
