Noise Ordinances in Broken Arrow, OK

If you live in Broken Arrow or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Broken Arrow has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Aircraft Noise

Airport development in Broken Arrow must submit a noise impact assessment mapping DNL contour lines from 50 to 75 DNL, per the city's Zoning Ordinance conditional-use standards for airport facilities.

Key details: Requirement: Noise impact assessment (DNL contours). Contour range: 50 DNL to 75 DNL. Projection horizon: Initial and 20-year projected levels. Governing section: Zoning Ordinance Sec. 2-3-3.N.4.

An airport development application lacking the required DNL noise contour assessment is incomplete and the Planning Commission/Community Development Department will not process it for conditional use or site plan approval.

Vehicle Noise

Broken Arrow bans unnecessary horn honking and exhaust noise from motor vehicles under its disturbing-the-peace ordinance.

Key details: Horn use: unlawful except as danger signal. Exhaust: must run through a muffler. Fine range: $50.00-$100.00. Code section: § 16-12(a)(1), (a)(4).

Fine of $50-$100 per Code § 16-12(d), enforced by Broken Arrow Police.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Broken Arrow bars sound amplification equipment or live/recorded music at assembly venues within 300 feet of residential property from being plainly audible inside a home for more than ten continuous minutes.

Key details: Buffer from residential: 300 feet. Audible threshold: Plainly audible inside dwelling, doors closed. Time limit: Continuous period over ten minutes. Fine range: $50 to $100 per violation.

Violation of Sec. 16-12(a) or (b) is punishable by a fine of $50 to $100 per Sec. 16-12(d); each instance can be cited separately by police.

Construction Hours

Broken Arrow treats construction noise, excavation, demolition, land clearing, road work, as regulated disturbing-the-peace noise, with nighttime hours creating a presumed violation citywide in Tulsa County.

Key details: Regulated activity: Excavation, demolition, land clearing, road work. Weeknight cutoff: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Weekend cutoff: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Fine range: $50 to $100 per violation.

Punishable by a fine of $50 to $100 under Sec. 16-12(d); daytime construction noise before 7 a.m. or after the nighttime cutoff isn't automatically exempt from prosecution either.

Quiet Hours

Broken Arrow presumes any of its listed disruptive noises, horns, music, barking, exhaust, construction, to be a code violation once they're audible 50 feet away during set nighttime hours.

Key details: Weeknight curfew: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Weekend curfew: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Audibility standard: Plainly audible 50 feet from source. Fine range: $50 to $100 per violation.

Punishable by a fine of $50 to $100 under Sec. 16-12(d); the Rose District, New Orleans Square Overlay, and Broken Arrow Events Park carry separate late-night carve-outs under (a)(7)-(8).

Barking Dogs

Broken Arrow's disturbing-the-peace ordinance makes it unlawful to let an animal in your custody habitually bark, howl, yelp, or roar loud enough to disturb neighbors, citywide in Tulsa County.

Key details: Prohibited conduct: Habitual barking, howling, yelping, roaring. Nighttime standard: Audible 50 feet, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.. Fine range: $50 to $100 per violation. Enforcement: Broken Arrow Police Department, citywide.

A conviction under Sec. 16-12(a) is punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100, per Sec. 16-12(d); each barking episode may be cited separately.

The Bottom Line

Broken Arrow's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Broken Arrow is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Broken Arrow can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.