How Garland Handles Noise Ordinances: A Practical Guide
Garland maintains 144 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with noise ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Garland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Construction Hours
Outside construction and repair work next to an occupied residential subdivision, or any occupied residential use including multifamily, may run only between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Garland's Code of Ordinances bars that same work between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., though emergency repairs to secure a structure or restore utility service are exempt, and the Director of Health can grant a variance.
Key details: Allowed hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Prohibited hours: 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Applies near: Residential subdivisions, multifamily uses. Emergency exception: Securing structures, utility restoration. Variance issuer: Director of Health (§22.76).
Working outside the 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. window without an emergency exception or a Director of Health variance is a Code violation enforced like other Chapter 30 offenses, punishable under the general penalty of section 10.05: a fine of up to $500 for most Code violations (up to $2,000 if the violation also implicates fire safety, zoning or public health), with each day of continuing work outside the window counted as a separate offense.
Vehicle Noise
Garland caps on-road vehicle noise at 80 dBA for vehicles under 10,000 pounds and 96 dBA for heavier motor carriers, measured 25 feet from the near side of the nearest lane. Straight-pipe exhausts, cutouts, and tire-squealing are separately banned.
Key details: Light vehicles/motorcycles: 80 dBA. Heavy motor carriers: 96 dBA. Measured at: 25 feet from lane. Exhaust: Muffler required; no cutouts. Enforced by: City Health Department.
A Class C misdemeanor. Health Department inspectors may stop any suspected vehicle on a right-of-way and issue a citation, notice of violation, or abatement order; penalties follow Code section 10.05.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Outdoor amplified music in Garland - including at the Granville Arts Center plaza, restaurants, and Firewheel Town Center events - is regulated by Chapter 32 noise rules and special-event permits.
Key details: Patio/restaurant Cutoff Typically: Patio/restaurant cutoff typically 10 PM weekdays, 11 PM weekends. Special-event Permit Required: Special-event permit required for amplified outdoor concerts. Property-line dBA Limits: Property-line dBA limits and 'plainly audible' standard both apply. Officers may Order: Officers may order amplifiers turned down on scene. Fines up to: Fines up to $500 per violation.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://www.garlandtx.gov/418/Special-Events) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Aircraft Noise
Garland does not set its own decibel limits for aircraft. Section 22.72 of the noise ordinance instead requires every airport, airpark, and aircraft operation in the city to follow federal EPA and FAA rules, leaving aircraft noise entirely to the agencies that already regulate flight operations nationwide.
Key details: Local dBA limit: None set by § 22.72. Standard applied: EPA and FAA rules, by reference. Adopted: Ordinance 5544, 3/20/01. Local enforcement: None; no city penalty created. Complaint path: Federal Aviation Administration.
Section 22.72 does not create a City offense or penalty for aircraft noise; it only requires operators to already be complying with EPA and FAA rules. There is no local citation, fine, or Health Department enforcement path under this section, so a noise complaint about aircraft is a matter for the FAA rather than Garland code enforcement.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garland gives residents more flexibility on aircraft noise.
Decibel Limits
Garland regulates noise from industrial uses along the I-30 and IH-635 corridors through zoning performance standards and the Code of Ordinances Chapter 32 noise provisions.
Key details: Note: Industrial noise governed by Chapter 32 nuisance rules and UDC performance standards. Sound Limit: Property-line limits roughly 60-65 dBA day, 55-60 dBA night into residential areas. Note: Code Compliance uses sound meters during complaint response. Fine Range: Up to $2,000 per individual offense. HVAC Noise: Common sources: IH-635/I-30 corridor warehouses, HVAC, back-up alarms.
The rules around decibel limits in Garland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Barking Dogs
Garland prohibits owning or harboring animals that make frequent or habitual noise violating sound levels in §22.69, or that unreasonably disturb neighbors. Applies to all facilities including kennels and shelters.
Key details: Standard: Per §22.69 sound levels. Scope: Includes kennels and shelters. Test: Frequent/habitual noise. Report To: Garland Animal Services.
Class C misdemeanor. Fines up to $500. Chronic violations may involve animal services intervention.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garland gives residents more flexibility on barking dogs.
Quiet Hours
Garland Ch 22 noise control limits sound to no more than 15 dBA above ambient (L1 vs L90) at property boundaries. Power equipment prohibited outdoors 10 PM-7 AM. City Health Department administers the program.
Key details: Sound Standard: L1 ≤ 15 dBA above L90 ambient. Power Equipment: Prohibited 10 PM-7 AM outdoors. Administered By: City Health Department. State Law: TX Penal Code §42.01. Enforcement: Garland PD + Code Compliance.
Class C misdemeanor. Fines up to $500 per violation. Permit of variance available for construction.
The rules around quiet hours in Garland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, Garland gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 4 of the 7 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 Garland's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.