Noise ordinance a hot topic for Safety Harbor residents as live music debate ramps up

Loud music debate heats up again in Safety Harbor

Neighbors are calling for an emergency meeting to address the issue of live music in the city of Safety Harbor.

SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. - Some Safety Harbor residents spoke out Monday evening, voicing their opposition of loud music in the downtown area and urging the city to take action.

READ: How loud is too loud? Safety Harbor businesses, neighbors clash over live music noise levels

The issue of a noise ordinance wasn't specifically on the agenda for Monday night, but both sides came out. Two residents opposing the live music were the only people to participate in public comment.

Both residents asked the commission to call an emergency meeting to address the issue before the current city manager retires and the Safety Harbor fire chief takes over as interim.

Homeowners living close to the downtown bars and restaurants have mounted complaints over the loud music and live performances, and they’re urging city commissioners to alter the rules.

According to the Safety Harbor Noise ordinance, it's unlawful to cause loud and raucous noise, and live music is prohibited downtown between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

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Some downtown residents are calling for commissioners to alter the ordinance to include a time limit for loud noises downtown and a decibel limit to control how loud businesses can be during those set times.

It’s unclear if commissioners are willing to alter the ordinance as it is written, and as of Monday morning, the issue was not included as an agenda item for the commissioners meeting. However, residents have the option to use the public comment portion of the meeting to say their piece.