How Amarillo Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Amarillo maintains 125 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Amarillo falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Decibel Limits

Amarillo has no municipal noise ordinance covering industrial or commercial operations. Noise complaints are handled under Texas state law, which prohibits unreasonable noise exceeding 85 dB after an official warning.

Key details: Local ordinance: None. Governing law: TX Penal Code §42.01. Presumptive threshold: 85 dB after official warning. Violation class: Class C misdemeanor.

Texas Penal Code §42.01 Class C misdemeanor; fine up to $500. No city-specific industrial noise fine schedule exists.

The rules around decibel limits in Amarillo lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Aircraft Noise

Amarillo designates two aircraft noise zones around the airport, a 65-69 Ldn zone and a 70-and-greater Ldn zone, under section 4-9-111. Any new building inside those zones must be engineered under section 4-9-113 to cut outdoor-to-indoor noise by at least 25 or 30 decibels, certified by a licensed engineer or architect before the City issues a building permit.

Key details: Governing sections: §§ 4-9-111 to 4-9-113. Noise zones: 65-69 Ldn and 70+ Ldn. Lower zone NLR: 25 decibel reduction minimum. Higher zone NLR: 30 decibel reduction minimum. Certification required: Texas-licensed engineer or architect.

The Building Official cannot lawfully issue a building permit for a structure in a designated noise zone without the section 4-9-112 engineer or architect certification, so building without that certification exposes the project to a stop-work order and permit denial. Constructing or occupying a noncompliant structure in violation of Chapter 4-9's noise attenuation requirements is enforceable under the City's general penalty in section 1-1-5, up to $500 per offense, with continued noncompliance treated as a separate offense each day.

Barking Dogs

It is unlawful in Amarillo to let an animal bark, whine, howl, crow or cackle in a way that annoys neighbors or interferes with their reasonable use of their property. Section 8-2-5(a)(4) makes disruptive animal noise a public nuisance, and Animal Management and Welfare officers can cite the owner, though the fine for this specific offense is capped lower than most animal violations.

Key details: Governing section: Amarillo Code § 8-2-5(a)(4). Max fine: $200 per offense, § 1-1-5(d). Enforcement: Animal Management and Welfare Officer or peace officer. No decibel rule: Determined by annoyance, not a measured limit.

Barking-dog citations carry a lower ceiling than most Chapter 8-2 offenses. Section 1-1-5(d) specifically exempts a Section 8-2-5(a)(4) noise violation from the Code's usual penalty scale and caps it at a $200.00 fine per offense, instead of the $500.00 general penalty or the $2,000.00 rate that applies to public-health and zoning violations elsewhere in the Code.

Vehicle Noise

Amarillo makes it a traffic offense to operate a vehicle on any city street or alley with sudden acceleration that produces noise, smoking tires, or that causes one or more tires to lose contact with the pavement. The rule targets burnouts, jackrabbit starts, and revving displays.

Key details: Section: Municipal Code § 16-3-116(e). Prohibited: Acceleration noise, smoking tires, tire liftoff. Applies to: Any city street or alley. Enforcement: Amarillo Police Department. Penalty: Fine per Section 1-1-5.

Enforced by the Amarillo Police Department as a Class C misdemeanor traffic citation. Each burnout, tire-squeal, or noisy acceleration is a separate offense punishable by fine under Municipal Code Section 1-1-5.

Quiet Hours

Amarillo does not have a city noise ordinance. The city relies on the Texas Penal Code, which treats unreasonable noise as disorderly conduct. Noise is presumed unreasonable if it exceeds 85 decibels after a peace officer has given notice that the noise is a public nuisance.

Key details: City Ordinance: None: no local noise ordinance. State Standard: 85 dBA after police warning. Law: Texas Penal Code §42.01. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor, up to $500 fine.

Excessive noise may be treated as disorderly conduct under Texas Penal Code §42.01, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500.

Amarillo is more permissive than most cities when it comes to quiet hours. That said, there are still limits.

Construction Hours

Amarillo does not have a specific construction noise ordinance or restricted construction hours. Construction noise is subject only to the general Texas Penal Code disorderly conduct provisions regarding unreasonable noise.

Key details: City Restrictions: None: no local construction hour limits. Industry Standard: 7 AM–7 PM weekdays typical. State Law: Texas Penal Code §42.01 applies. Enforcement: Amarillo Police on complaint basis.

Only the state disorderly conduct standard applies. Construction noise would need to exceed 85 dBA after police warning to be actionable.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Amarillo gives residents more flexibility on construction hours.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Amarillo gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 3 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Amarillo's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.