Noise Ordinances in Murfreesboro, TN

If you live in Murfreesboro or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Murfreesboro has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Decibel Limits

Murfreesboro caps exterior sound from any source in an Industrial Zone at 65 dBA for pure tones and 70 dBA for other sounds, measured at the property line: the same limit day and night, unlike residential and commercial zones.

Key details: Industrial daytime limit: 65/70 dBA. Industrial nighttime limit: 65/70 dBA (no drop). Measured at: receiving property line. Governing table: Code § 21-106(B), Table 2.

Enforced by Noise Control Officers under Code § 21-112; punishable per City Code § 1-8, with each continuing half-hour of violation charged as a separate offense.

Quiet Hours

Murfreesboro bars musical instruments, drums, TVs, and other amplified sound from carrying across a property line or into a noise-sensitive zone between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., citywide, enforced by Police and Building and Codes.

Key details: Curfew window: 10 p.m.–7 a.m.. Covers: instruments, drums, TVs, speakers. Enforced by: Police & Building and Codes. Penalty basis: City Code § 1-8.

Punishable under Murfreesboro City Code § 1-8; each half-hour a violation continues or recurs counts as a separate offense, and a judge may order the violator to reimburse the City's enforcement costs.

Barking Dogs

A dog or other animal that barks, howls, or makes similar noise continuously for more than 10 minutes, or on and off for more than 20 minutes, audible 100 feet away, violates the City's noise article.

Key details: Continuous threshold: more than 10 minutes. Intermittent threshold: more than 20 minutes. Audible distance: 100 feet or more. Defense: responding to trespasser or emergency. Excluded: zoning-authorized kennels, livestock.

Police or a Noise Control Officer can cite the owner under Code § 21-112; unabated barking is treated as a new offense for every half hour it continues.

Construction Hours

Murfreesboro caps construction-site sound at 80 dBA near homes and 85 dBA near commercial or industrial property, with earlier weekday start times allowed in June, July and August and a separate 100 dBC ceiling for impact tools like jackhammers.

Key details: Residential daytime cap: 80 dBA at property line. Commercial/industrial cap: 85 dBA, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.. Summer start time: 6 a.m. weekdays (Jun-Aug). Impact-equipment ceiling: 100 dBC without a permit.

Violations run under Murfreesboro City Code § 1-8 and can trigger a Chief Building Official stop-work order under § 21-112(G) halting the job until the noise is brought into compliance.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Music and sound-amplification devices can't be plainly audible across a neighbor's property line from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., or heard 50 feet away on public property or a right-of-way at any hour.

Key details: Quiet hours: 10 p.m.–7 a.m.. Standard: plainly audible across property line. Right-of-way limit: audible 50 feet, any time. Enforced by: Police / Noise Control Officer. Penalty authority: Code § 21-112.

Citations issue under Code § 21-112 by police or a trained Noise Control Officer; each continuing half hour of violation counts as a separate offense.

Leaf Blower Rules

Murfreesboro caps power-tool noise at 75-80 dBA during the day and bars commercial tree, landscaping, lawn-care and home-improvement crews from running any power equipment - leaf blowers included - in residential or noise-sensitive zones between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Key details: Commercial-crew cutoff: 8 p.m.-7 a.m., no exceptions. Daytime cap, tools ≤5 HP: 75 dBA at property line. Daytime cap, tools >5 HP: 80 dBA at property line. Exempt: construction and emergency work.

Enforced by Noise Control Officers in Police or Building and Codes; penalties run under Murfreesboro City Code § 1-8, with each continuing half hour a separate offense under § 21-112(C).

Aircraft Noise

Murfreesboro's noise ordinance exempts aircraft operated under FAA regulations and air traffic control instructions from its sound-level limits, deferring entirely to federal aviation noise rules rather than imposing its own restrictions on aircraft noise within city limits.

Key details: Governing exemption: Code § 21-109(A)(5). Covers: FAA-regulated aircraft, ATC instructions. Distress aircraft: Also exempt regardless of cause. City enforcement: None: federal law controls.

Not applicable: aircraft noise is exempt from City enforcement. Complaints about aircraft sound are referred to federal authorities; the City's Noise Control Officer does not cite aircraft operators under this Article.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Murfreesboro gives residents more flexibility on aircraft noise.

Vehicle Noise

Murfreesboro requires a working muffler on every vehicle, bans cutout or bypass exhaust systems, and prohibits tire-squealing acceleration and car stereos loud enough to hear 50 feet from the vehicle.

Key details: Muffler: required, good working order. Exhaust cutouts/bypasses: prohibited. Car stereo: unlawful if audible at 50 ft. Horn limit: 90 dBA at 100 feet.

Enforced by qualified Noise Control Officers using a sound level meter; penalties run under Murfreesboro City Code § 1-8, with repeat half-hour violations charged separately.

The Bottom Line

Murfreesboro'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 Murfreesboro is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Murfreesboro 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.