Louisville noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in Louisville?

Quiet hours: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, for noise from a structure.
Right now: Checking the clock for Louisville.
Who to call: For a noise complaint, call Louisville Metro Police at 502-574-7111 or 502-574-2111. Metro311: 311 or 502-574-5000.
The law: Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances Chapter 99. Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on October 17, 2026.

Louisville Metro's noise rules are in Chapter 99 of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Code of Ordinances. Its most recent amendment, Ordinance 115-2026, was approved July 1, 2026, and added § 99.04 on warnings for noise from buildings. Violations are civil offenses handled by the Code Enforcement Board, not crimes.

What counts as too loud

Section 99.02(A) bans "any unreasonably loud, harsh or excessive noise" that "annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others." The definitions in § 99.01 give that phrase a distance test: noise that is "plainly audible or exceeds the sound limits established in this chapter from a distance of at least 50 feet from its point of origination." Plainly audible means "capable of being distinctly heard by a person with normal hearing." Noise of 85 dB or more at 50 feet is "per se unreasonable."

Quiet hours for noise from a home or building

Under § 99.02(B)(1), unreasonably loud noise coming from a structure is a violation during these hours:

9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights
11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights

A structure includes a house or other building and attached decks and patios (§ 99.01). Noise that isn't coming from a structure, such as from a yard or a car, can be a violation at any hour (§ 99.02(B)(2)).

The warning step

For noise from a structure, an officer generally has to give a written warning before writing a citation (§ 99.02(B)(1)(b) and § 99.04). The warning goes to the person making the noise, or to the owner, tenant or occupant, or an employee or agent. It has to explain the violation and how to avoid a citation. If the noise keeps going past a reasonable time, or happens again within 30 days, the officer may issue a citation. The Metro Director of Codes and Regulations, the Director of Alcohol Beverage Control or the Chief of Police can decide a citation should be issued without a warning.

Exemptions

Section 99.03 exempts several kinds of noise, including:

Construction and demolition from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Lawn mowers and landscaping equipment from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Garbage collection from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
School and park activities until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Permitted festivals, parades and fireworks displays, and events on property of civic, charitable or religious groups

How to complain

The Louisville Metro Police Department's FAQ says to report a noise complaint by calling LMPD at 502-574-7111 or 502-574-2111. Metro311 can be reached by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000. Call 911 in an emergency.

Penalties

Fines depend on how many violations happen within two years (§ 99.99(B)):

First offense: $100 to $250
Second offense: $250 to $500
Third offense: $500 to $1,000

Each separate occurrence, and each day a violation continues, is a separate offense. A person who is cited can pay the minimum fine within seven days or ask the Code Enforcement Board for a hearing. Not responding within seven days waives the hearing, and the Board enters a final order with the penalty in the citation (§ 99.99(C)).

Barking dogs

Chapter 99 does not address animal noise directly. We have not reviewed Louisville Metro's animal ordinances for this page.

Keeping a record

Since a repeat within 30 days of a warning can lead to a citation, write down the date of any warning and each time the noise comes back. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the date, time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report or complaint letter for a landlord or HOA.

Louisville noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Louisville?

9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, for noise from a structure.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Louisville?

For a noise complaint, call Louisville Metro Police at 502-574-7111 or 502-574-2111. Metro311: 311 or 502-574-5000.

Where are Louisville's noise rules?

Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances Chapter 99. There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

What is the fine for a noise violation in Louisville?

Within two years: $100 to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $500 for a second and $500 to $1,000 for a third.

Sources

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