Arlington, TX noise ordinance: rules and who to call

Does Arlington have quiet hours?

Quiet hours: No set quiet hours in the Nuisance chapter. Noise that is disorderly conduct under Texas Penal Code § 42.01(a)(5) is also a city nuisance.
Right now: Checking the clock for Arlington.
Who to call: Arlington Police non-emergency: 817-274-4444. Emergencies: 911.
The law: Arlington City Code, Nuisance chapter, Section 2.03(M), Noise, and Section 3.02(A). Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on November 9, 2026.

Arlington doesn't have a separate noise ordinance. Noise is one item in the city's Nuisance chapter, under Section 2.03, "Other Nuisances Enumerated," subsection M. That short subsection covers two things: noisy animals and the kind of noise Texas already treats as disorderly conduct.

What is too loud in Arlington?

Section 2.03(M)(2) makes it a nuisance to create any condition barred by Texas Penal Code § 42.01(a)(5). That state law makes it disorderly conduct to make unreasonable noise in a public place, or in or near a private home the person has no right to be in. Under § 42.01(c)(2), noise over 85 decibels is presumed unreasonable after a magistrate or peace officer has given notice that it is a public nuisance.

The Nuisance chapter has no decibel table and no quiet hours of its own.

Barking dogs

It is a nuisance to keep an animal or bird that, by "frequent or long-continued noise," disturbs people in the neighborhood or on nearby property who have normal nervous sensibilities (Section 2.03(M)(1)).

Construction and yard work

Not specified. The Nuisance chapter does not set construction or yard-work hours.

How do I report noise in Arlington?

The Arlington Police Department lists its non-emergency number as 817-274-4444. For an emergency, call 911.

Fines and penalties

A violation of Section 2.03(M) is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500. Each day it goes on is a separate offense (Section 3.02(A)). Under the state law, disorderly conduct by unreasonable noise is a Class C misdemeanor.

Keeping a noise log

The city rule turns on whether noise is "frequent or long-continued" or unreasonable, so a written record of each time helps show the pattern. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the date, time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report. Phone readings are estimates.

Arlington noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Arlington?

No set quiet hours in the Nuisance chapter. Noise that is disorderly conduct under Texas Penal Code § 42.01(a)(5) is also a city nuisance.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Arlington?

Arlington Police non-emergency: 817-274-4444. Emergencies: 911.

Where are Arlington's noise rules?

Arlington City Code, Nuisance chapter, Section 2.03(M), Noise, and Section 3.02(A). There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

Does Arlington, Texas have quiet hours?

Not in its Nuisance chapter. The city's noise rule points to Texas Penal Code § 42.01(a)(5), which bans unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private home. It sets no hours.

What is the fine for a noise nuisance in Arlington?

Up to $500. Each day the nuisance goes on is a separate offense (Section 3.02(A)).

Sources

Last checked November 9, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.