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Austin noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

Austin's noise rules are in Chapter 9-2 of the City Code, "Noise and Amplified Sound." Much of the chapter is about permits for outdoor music venues, which makes sense for a city that sells itself on live music. The neighbor rules are short and sit near the start, in §§ 9-2-3 through 9-2-5.

Amplified sound at a home

Section 9-2-5 applies to property zoned residential. It sets two rules for sound equipment, which the chapter defines as a loudspeaker, public address system, amplification system or other sound-producing device (§ 9-2-1):

• From 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., sound equipment may not produce sound audible beyond the property line of a residence (§ 9-2-5(B)).
• At any hour, sound equipment audible beyond the property line may not produce more than 75 decibels (§ 9-2-5(C)).

The overnight rule has no decibel number. If the neighbor's speakers can be heard past their property line at 11 p.m., that alone breaks § 9-2-5(B). The chapter does not say where the 75-decibel reading is taken.

Late-night noise in general

Section 9-2-3(A)(2) bars making noise or playing a musical instrument "audible to an adjacent business or residence between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m." This one is not limited to sound equipment, so it can reach an unamplified instrument.

The same section also bars:

• Sound equipment in a vehicle that is audible or causes vibration 30 feet away (§ 9-2-3(A)(5))
• Sound equipment on a boat that is audible or causes vibration 100 feet away (§ 9-2-3(A)(6))
• Sand, rock or gravel machinery within 600 feet of a residence, church, hospital, hotel or motel from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., except permitted concrete work (§ 9-2-3(A)(3))
• Food refrigeration equipment on vehicles that is audible or causes vibration at a residence from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., with some defenses (§ 9-2-3(A)(4))

Businesses next door

A business may not run sound equipment above 85 decibels at its property line from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and its sound may not be audible at the property line at all from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. (§ 9-2-4). Outdoor music venues get their own permit limits under later sections of the chapter. The city's enforcement page says those permits set "customized sound hours and decibel limits," typically up to 85 dBA.

What the code does not say

Chapter 9-2 has no rule on barking dogs, footsteps or other non-amplified noise from inside a home, beyond the 10:30 p.m. rule above. It does not set general quiet hours for construction near homes either. For those, the answer in this chapter is "not specified."

How to complain

The city's Development Services Department runs a Sound Enforcement Team. Its page says the team responds to 3-1-1 noise complaints, takes decibel readings and can take enforcement action. To report a violation, the city says to use the Austin 3-1-1 app or call 3-1-1 and choose "Sound and Noise Complaint, Non-Emergency Noise Complaint." For questions about penalties, the page lists Code Connect at 512-974-2633.

Call 911 if anyone is in danger.

Penalties

An offense under Chapter 9-2 is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 (§ 9-2-61(B), and again in § 9-2-3(D)). No proof of intent is needed (§ 9-2-61(C)). Each occurrence is a separate offense (§ 9-2-61(D)). A violation is also a nuisance, so the city can go to court to stop it (§ 9-2-61(E)).

Texas law

Texas Penal Code § 42.01(a)(5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place, or in or near a private residence the person has no right to occupy, a Class C misdemeanor. Noise over 85 decibels is presumed unreasonable after a magistrate or peace officer has given notice that it is a public nuisance (§ 42.01(c)(2)).

Keeping a record

Austin's overnight rule turns on whether the sound is audible. So a log of dates and times is often more useful than a decibel number. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app keeps that log, with an estimated level for each incident. It turns it into a PDF report or complaint letter you can send to a landlord, HOA or the city. Phone readings are estimates, not a calibrated meter.

Sources

• Austin City Code Chapter 9-2, Noise and Amplified Sound (Municode)
• Austin City Code § 9-2-3, General restrictions
• Austin City Code § 9-2-5, Restriction on use of sound equipment in a residential area
• Austin City Code § 9-2-61, Offenses
• City of Austin: Noise and Amplified Sound Enforcement
• Texas Penal Code § 42.01, Disorderly conduct

Last checked October 17, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.