New Orleans noise ordinance: quiet hours and who to call

When are quiet hours in New Orleans?

Quiet hours: Music and TV from a home can't be plainly audible 1 foot from a neighbor's wall or past the lot line, or inside another unit, from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights and from 10:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Decibel limits are lower from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Right now: Checking the clock for New Orleans.
Who to call: Police non-emergency (Orleans Parish Communication District): 504-821-2222. NOLA 311: 311 or 504-539-3266. Emergencies: 911.
The law: New Orleans City Code Chapter 66, Article IV, Noise (§§ 66-136 to 66-204). Read the code

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

Most of the late-night rules in New Orleans have nothing to do with a sound meter. Article IV of City Code Chapter 66 does set decibel limits, but § 66-203 also lists "nuisance noises" that are illegal whenever someone can plainly hear them. The music rules for homes and apartments start earlier and end later than the usual 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

What is too loud in New Orleans?

For music, TV and speakers at home, § 66-203(3) uses set hours: 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. the next morning, Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. the next morning on Friday and Saturday. During those hours:

In a house, the sound can't be plainly audible 1 foot from any outside wall of a neighbor's home, or beyond the line between the two lots, whichever is closer.
In an apartment or condo, it can't be plainly audible inside any other unit in the same building.

The decibel limits are in Table 1 of § 66-202. Daytime is 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends (§ 66-136).

Where the sound is received	7 a.m. to 10 p.m.	10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Residence	60 dBA (L10), 70 dBA max	55 dBA (L10), 60 dBA max
Inside a unit of a two-family or multifamily building	50 dBA (L10), 60 dBA max	45 dBA (L10), 55 dBA max

In a two-family or multifamily building, the level is measured inside the next unit (§ 66-202(d)). L10 is the level exceeded 10 percent of the time over a measurement of at least 10 minutes.

Barking dogs

An owner or keeper can't allow an animal's "frequent or continuing noise" that disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivity (§ 66-203(1)). An owner found guilty must also attend obedience classes run by the SPCA or another competent group (§ 66-204).

Construction and yard work

In RS, RD and RM residential districts, and within 300 feet of them, permitted construction and demolition can't start before 7 a.m. or go past 6 p.m. Elsewhere, permitted work is exempt from Table 1 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (§ 66-138(7)).

Outdoor power equipment in residential zones is barred from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends (§ 66-203(6)). In the daytime, home power tools and lawn mowers are exempt from Table 1 (§ 66-138(1)).

How do I report noise in New Orleans?

The Orleans Parish Communication District runs both 911 and 311. Its FAQ gives the non-emergency number for calls that may need police as 504-821-2222, and lists a barking dog as an example of a non-emergency. For city services, NOLA 311 is 311 or 504-539-3266. For an emergency, call 911.

Fines and penalties

Section 66-204 sets the penalty for anyone who violates § 66-203: $50 for a first offense, $150 for a second, and $300, up to 90 days in jail, or both for a third or later offense.

Other violations of Article IV are misdemeanors under § 66-140. The fine is capped at the amount state law allows, which the section does not state, and jail is up to 90 days. Each day is a separate offense.

Keeping a noise log

Because the music rule starts at a set time, note the clock time of each incident and where you could hear it from, such as inside your own unit. 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.

New Orleans noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in New Orleans?

Music and TV from a home can't be plainly audible 1 foot from a neighbor's wall or past the lot line, or inside another unit, from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights and from 10:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Decibel limits are lower from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in New Orleans?

Police non-emergency (Orleans Parish Communication District): 504-821-2222. NOLA 311: 311 or 504-539-3266. Emergencies: 911.

Where are New Orleans's noise rules?

New Orleans City Code Chapter 66, Article IV, Noise (§§ 66-136 to 66-204). There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

What time does music have to be turned down in New Orleans?

At 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Until 10 a.m. the next morning, music from a home can't be plainly audible 1 foot from a neighbor's wall, past the lot line, or inside another unit in the same building (§ 66-203(3)).

What is the fine for a noise violation in New Orleans?

For the nuisance noises in § 66-203, $50 for a first offense, $150 for a second, and $300, up to 90 days in jail, or both for a third or later offense (§ 66-204).

Sources

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