Vehicle Impoundment Ordinance

According to the City Code, the Sarasota Police Department has the authority to impound a motor vehicle in the following circumstances: a) the vehicle is being used to facilitate prostitution; b) the vehicle is being used to facilitate drug related crimes; c) the driver left the scene of an accident; d) a person is driving with knowledge his/her license is suspended or revoked; e) motor vehicle noise -- including loud stereos. The last three violations were amended to the existing City Ordinance on May 19, 2008, following two public hearings.

One of the most common complaints from City of Sarasota residents is loud music blaring from vehicles from as far as 200 feet away in otherwise quiet neighborhoods. Effective September 1, 2008 vehicles which play excessively loud music will be impounded.

The enforcement will be as follows:

• First Offense: No fine; vehicle impounded; tow/storage bill
• Second Offense: $250 fine; vehicle impounded; tow/storage bill
• Third + Offense: $500 fine; vehicle impounded; tow/storage bill

The loud music portion of this ordinance was modeled after a similar one in Peoria, Illinois. The Peoria Police Department experienced a dramatic decline in loud music complaints after its ordinance was implemented. Uniformed officers there report very few repeat offenders. The Sarasota Police Department anticipates similar results.

Information & Resources

Section 33-271 of the City Code

City Commission Public Hearings
April 21, 2008 First Reading
May 19, 2008 Second Reading

Vehicle Impoundment Public Service Announcements
30 second - Video
60 second - Video

Send your comments on the ordinance to
Captain Lucius Bonner.

Guest Editorial NEW

Sarasota Police Department
2050 Ringling Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34237

Telephone: (941) 954-7025
Fax: (941) 364-7308

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.