Wedding Venue vs. Neighbors: Noise Dispute in Florida

0:00In a quiet Citrus Park neighborhood in Hillsborough County, Florida, residents are clashing with a wedding venue called Del Favaro Oasis built on an Anne Bay I.O. old orchid farm. The spots protected by a state agritourism law meant to shield farmers, but neighbors claim loud music from DJs at weekend receptions blast way over. The local 60 decibel noise limit hitting 85 decibels like a vacuum cleaner riding your ear. Workers insist they monitor sound levels at every event and stay compliant, wrapping up by 10 p.m. with security on side. They host about 30 small weddings a year and say most folks nearby don't mind, even joining in sometimes. But critics question if new buildings like a pavilion, dressing suite, and restrooms fit the law, since no county permits were pulled for them. Folks like Sandy Rizzo upgraded to an 8-foot fence and double pane windows for noise reduction, but nothing helps. These can't sleep, strangers speed down the gravel road after drinking, and some neighbors

1:01added signs and speed bumps to fight back. One mom walks her dog nervous about the traffic in their once peaceful spot. Sheriff's deputies hit the scene 10 times since February of this year, finding eight complaints legit, but they can only ask for the volume to. Drop no real enforcement thanks to state preemption. Now lawsuits fly both ways, venue owners sue neighbors for business interference, including one couple accused of revving a chainsaw during a wedding, forcing a $6,000 refund. This back-and-forth highlights tensions as farms turn tourist spots amid county growth. Neighbors dig the orchids and beauty, but say receptions don't belong here, while the venue calls complaints a coordinated hit from a few holdouts. Litigation rolls on, leaving everyone on edge. Local news, powered by AI. This is Tampa Bay News today.