At the October 14, 2020 Commission meeting, the Discussion Regarding Noise Concerns in the City of Miami Beach was referred to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) for discussion.  At the NQLC meeting on December 16, 2020, the Code Compliance Department (Code) received direction to explore decibel readers to track noise levels in the City.  The NQLC motioned to return to the committee and to add then Vice-Mayor Meiner as a co-sponsor.

At the February 10, 2021 Commission meeting, the Discussion Regarding Measures to Enforce Noise Ordinances in Residential Areas was referred to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) for discussion. 

During the March 22, 2021 NQLC meeting, the above two items were discussed in conjunction with a third noise related item entitled, Discussion Regarding Noise Emanating from Unorthodox Vehicles to Include Golf Carts, Slingshots, etc., that was originally referred to the NQLC at the February 10, 2021 Commission meeting by Commission Samuelian and assigned to MBPD for handling.

Code procured four Extech Digital Sound Level Meters (Model 407732) which were received on February 18, 2021 and one Extech Sound Calibrator (Model 407744) that was received on March 8, 2021.  These are the same decibel meters purchased by the Marine Patrol.

Code is using these sound meters for a trial period of 120 days to gather data for analysis to assist in determining the best way to address noise in the City.  Concurrently, the department is reaching out to other municipalities to ascertain if and how they incorporate sound meter readings as part of their noise enforcement.

Assistant City Manager Eric Carpenter, Assistant Code Compliance Director Thomas Curitore along with Code Compliance Administrator Kenneth Varela conducted a site visit at Mangos Tropical Cafe on Ocean Drive to conduct a test of the sound meters from the surrounding areas including Lummus Park, the center line of Ocean Drive as well as the curb line of Ocean Drive to ascertain decibel levels for use as a reference point.

The direction by the committee at the NQLC meeting on March 22, 2021, was to continue discussion regarding cameras for noise detection and ambient noise restrictions at the April 28, 2021 NQLC meeting. 

The direction by the committee at the NQLC meeting on April 28, 2021 was to return again for discussion regarding cameras for noise detection and ambient noise restrictions at the May 19, 2021 NQLC meeting.

At the May 19, 2021 NQLC meeting, Code presented results of their research on the existence and availability of cameras and other devices for the use in detecting noise and has found three products that may provide assistance in noise detection.  The committee expressed some interest in the following:

• Acoustic Noise Camera

This camera is meant to be aimed to detect illegal, excessively noisy vehicles on the right-of-way to help create quieter streets. The noise can be loud engines, loud exhaust, or revving engines. The camera works similar to a red-light camera to target law breaking drivers automatically and will work with a license plate reader. 

• Handheld Noise Decibel Meter

This is a handheld device used to measure the decibel level at the source of the noise (i.e. music) and is currently being tested by Code during a 120-day trial.

The committee requested additional information on the City of Hollywood’s recent amendment to their Noise Ordinance that now requires vacation rental properties to be equipped with a noise level detection device as part of their vacation rental license application.  Their Vacation Rental License states that in part:

• Vacation Rentals shall be equipped with a noise level detection device alerting the property owner/representative and tenants to noise emanating from the Vacation Rental, and (ii) all data produced by this device will be retained for a period of 180 days and made available to the City upon request.

• A statement advising the occupant that that the volume of noise generated at the Vacation Rental is limited by the City Noise Ordinance. A noise level detection device alerting the property owner/representative and tenant shall be installed in every Vacation Rental.

• The City’s noise ordinance must be fully complied with, and the property is monitored by a noise level detection device.