Marco Island residents push for stricter noise ordinance enforcement

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (WINK)—Marco Island residents are raising concerns about noise disruptions in their community. 

During a WINK Listens event held at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, locals expressed their frustrations with rising noise levels, which many attribute to short-term rental homes.

"Marco Island has this mystique of paradise about it," said Julia Brenner, a resident of Marco Island.

Brenner expressed concern about the noise, noting that many of her friends are considering leaving the island because of it.

Anita Sargese, another resident, shared her frustrations: "If you're playing music at one o'clock in the morning, you're disturbing someone." 

Sargese emphasized the need for stricter noise ordinances and consistent enforcement.

"I have one friend who stopped calling the police. He just wasn't getting anywhere. I would like to see a stricter ordinance, and I mostly would like to see it being consistently enforced," said Sargese.

Currently, Marco Island's noise ordinance prohibits sounds that are "plainly audible" 50 feet from the property line or within a fully enclosed structure. During the day, noise should not exceed 68 decibels, dropping to 60 decibels after 9 p.m.

Stephen Gray, a Marco Island City Council member, acknowledged the complaints and pledged to address them. 

"But I do believe that we can do more to respect our neighbors and respect the noise levels," said Gray.

Gray is spearheading an effort to rewrite the city's noise ordinance. He mentioned that some residents feel intimidated to report noise issues. 

City Council Chairman Darrin Palumbo highlighted the complexity of the issue, noting it as a "frustrating quality of life challenge for the community."

"We're gonna have a deep conversation on decibel levels versus something called plainly audible. It's just difficult to enforce something where there are no metrics," said Palumbo.

 Residents remain hopeful for a resolution.

"I’m confident that Councilman Gray's ordinance will be considered seriously, and my biggest hope is that it's adopted and enforced," Sargese said.