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ST. PETE BEACH, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>The debate over live music in St. Pete Beach<\/a> struck a high note in recent months, with talk of a stricter noise ordinance that could have ended some forms of amplified music as early as 7 p.m. On Tuesday night, city leaders made it clear: For now, the music will play on (within reason).<\/p>\n The backstory:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The city had floated the idea of earlier “quiet hours” after citing difficulties enforcing the current ordinance. The challenge to address residents noise complaints relates to the difference in relative sound rather than the decibel sound.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n READ:<\/strong> Committee forms to save St. Pete street murals targeted in new Florida mandates<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The city\u2019s current rules have a 65 decibel limit during the day and a 55 decibel limit at night. It also prohibits most amplified music between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Staff noted they often receive complaints where the noise is significantly higher than the background noise, but not necessarily in violation of the decibel ordinance.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But dozens of residents, restaurant owners and musicians filled city hall, arguing an early curfew could devastate tourism and the local hospitality industry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “We are going to lose a lot of money, and we are going to lose a lot of fun. This place is a disaster. We don\u2019t even have a grocery store. Let us have some fun,” said long-time beach resident, Larry Levine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n