Noise Ordinances in Reno, NV

If you live in Reno or are thinking about moving there, noise ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Reno has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of noise ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Aircraft Noise

Reno bans unnecessary loud noise from aircraft engines or propellers in flight over the city, and helicopters must fly the Truckee River channel to and from the Riverside Garage heliport to avoid low passes over congested areas.

Key details: Governing chapter: RMC Chapter 6.16, Operation of Aircraft. Noise rule: No unnecessary loud engine/propeller noise. Authorized heliport: Riverside Garage rooftop. Approach route: Truckee River channel only. Penalty: Misdemeanor, $1-$1,000 fine or jail.

Violating any section of Chapter 6.16 is a misdemeanor punished under Reno Municipal Code § 1.04.010: a fine of $1 to $1,000, up to six months in city jail, or both.

Barking Dogs

Washoe County's barking ordinance is qualitative: animals making loud and frequent noises that annoy the neighbourhood violate County Code 55.125. The agency guideline for taking a complaint is 30 minutes of continuous barking.

Key details: Governing law: Washoe County Code 55.125. Code standard: Qualitative, no time threshold. Agency guideline: 30 min continuous barking. Or: 60 min sporadic per day, week-plus. Enforced by: Regional Animal Services.

A violation of Washoe County Code 55.125 is enforced by Regional Animal Services, typically starting with a warning letter to the owner and escalating to civil penalties for continued noise.

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Reno limits sound amplification devices and sound equipment in city parks and outdoor recreation facilities to 50 decibels within 50 feet without a permit, and 75 decibels at the permitted area's boundary even with one.

Key details: No-permit limit: 50 decibels within 50 feet. Permitted limit: 75 decibels at boundary. Requires: Sound amplification permit. Penalty: Misdemeanor. Applies to: Parks and outdoor recreation facilities.

Running amplified sound above 50 decibels within 50 feet without a park permit, or above 75 decibels at a permitted area's boundary, is a misdemeanor under RMC § 8.23.085.

Decibel Limits

Reno's zoning code caps noise from nearby nonresidential development at 49 decibels overnight and 65 decibels during the day at the property line of any adjacent home, enforced under the Residential Adjacency standards of the 2025 Land Development Code.

Key details: Nighttime limit: 49 dB at residential property line. Daytime limit: 65 dB at residential property line. Nighttime hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Applies to: nonresidential development within 300 ft of homes. Park amplification cap: 50 dB, 75 dB with permit.

Violating the noise standard is a Title 18 zoning violation: the Administrator can issue a notice of violation, administrative citation, or stop-work order and may withhold or revoke permits under RMC § 18.01.504 and Chapter 1.05, Code Enforcement.

Quiet Hours

Reno caps noise from nonresidential and mixed-use projects at 49 decibels at an adjoining residential property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., dropping from the 65-decibel daytime limit under the city's residential adjacency standards.

Key details: Nighttime limit: 49 dB Leq, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.. Daytime limit: 65 dB Leq. Applies to: Nonresidential/mixed-use within 300 ft of homes. Construction exemption: 6 a.m.-7 p.m. construction noise exempt. Enforced by: Administrator via Chapter 1.05 Code Enforcement.

Exceeding the 49 dB nighttime limit at a residential property line draws a code enforcement citation from the Administrator; uncorrected violations can bring a stop-work order or withheld permits under RMC Chapter 1.05.

Vehicle Noise

Reno bans amplified car stereo sound audible 25 feet away and requires every motor vehicle to run a proper, non-modified muffler under Reno Municipal Code Title 6.

Key details: Stereo audibility limit: 25 feet from vehicle. Muffler requirement: good, properly attached muffler. Exhaust noise: loud, annoying exhaust banned. Max penalty: $1,000 fine / 6 months jail.

General Code penalty under RMC § 1.04.010: fine up to $1,000, up to 6 months in city jail, or both, for each violation of §§ 6.06.290, 6.06.785, or 6.06.790.

Construction Hours

Reno exempts construction noise from its residential-property-line noise limits only between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Outside that window, construction sound must meet the same 49-65 decibel caps that apply to any other noise source near a home.

Key details: Exempt hours: 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.. Applies to: nonresidential builds near residential zoning. Nighttime cap outside window: 49 dB, 10 p.m.–7 a.m.. Daytime cap outside window: 65 dB Leq. Enforced by: City Administrator / Code Enforcement.

The Administrator enforces Title 18 violations under RMC Chapter 1.05, Code Enforcement, with authority to issue notices of violation, administrative citations, and stop-work orders halting construction until the noise is corrected.

The Bottom Line

Reno'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 Reno is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Reno's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.