Richardson's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Richardson, Texas, there are 9 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Barking Dogs

Under Sec. 5-9(6), it is unlawful to allow an animal to unreasonably bark, howl, crow, or make other loud noise unprovoked for at least 15 minutes or in sporadic intervals over a 15-minute period. A complaining witness and audio/video recording are required for prosecution.

Key details: Code Section: Sec. 5-9(6). Duration: 15 min continuous or sporadic over 15 min. Evidence Required: Audio/video recording + witness. Must Be: Unprovoked.

Violations are punishable as provided in Sec. 1-8 of the Code. Fines up to $500 per occurrence. Repeat offenders may face escalating penalties and potential animal control action.

Leaf Blower Rules

Richardson does not have a specific leaf blower ban. Lawn equipment noise falls under the general noise ordinance in Ch. 13, Div. 2. Intermittent use of power tools on weekends would not typically qualify as a violation, but sustained loud equipment like jackhammers may.

Key details: Specific Ban: None. Standard: General reasonableness under Ch. 13. Intermittent Use: Generally permitted. Sustained Loud Equipment: May violate ordinance.

If leaf blower use creates unreasonably loud noise offensive to ordinary sensibilities, it could be cited under the general noise ordinance with fines up to $2,000.

The rules around leaf blower rules in Richardson lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Outdoor Music

Outdoor music and events in Richardson are governed by the general noise ordinance Ch. 13, Div. 2. There is no specific outdoor music permit system. Noise that disturbs neighbors may be cited under Secs. 13-72 through 13-75.

Key details: Code Section: Ch. 13, Art. III, Div. 2. Permit Required: Not specifically for outdoor music. Standard: Must not disturb reasonable persons. Parks: Separate rules under Ch. 15.

Outdoor music violations are enforceable under the general noise ordinance with fines up to $2,000 per occurrence.

Amplified Music & Events

Sec. 13-75(3) declares playing any radio, TV, phonograph, or musical instrument with volume disturbing the peace, quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in any dwelling to be loud and disturbing noise. Sec. 13-75(13) prohibits drums, loudspeakers, or devices used to attract attention at businesses.

Key details: Code Section: Secs. 13-75(3), 13-75(13), 13-75(14). Standard: Disturbs peace of persons in dwellings. Commercial: Loudspeakers for advertising prohibited. Vehicles: Amplifiers on moving vehicles prohibited.

Violations of amplified music rules under Sec. 13-75 are punishable as Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500. Municipal ordinance violations may carry additional fines up to $2,000.

Construction Hours

Under Sec. 13-75(9), construction noise near residential areas is unrestricted 7 AM to 6 PM weekdays. Before 7 AM, after 6 PM, and on weekends, construction must not exceed permissible octave band decibel limits. A permit from the city manager's office is required for after-hours work.

Key details: Weekday Hours: 7 AM – 6 PM (unrestricted). After-Hours: Must meet decibel limits. Weekend: Must meet decibel limits all day. Permit: City manager's office for exceptions.

Construction noise violations outside permitted hours may result in municipal citations with fines up to $2,000 per violation. The city may issue stop-work orders for repeated violations.

Quiet Hours

Richardson Code Ch. 13, Art. III, Div. 2 prohibits unreasonably loud noise at all hours. Sec. 13-72 makes it unlawful to create noise offensive to ordinary sensibilities. Sec. 13-74 prohibits noise detrimental to life or health. Construction noise is specifically restricted between 6 PM and 7 AM.

Key details: Code Section: Ch. 13, Art. III, Div. 2 (Secs. 13-71 to 13-76). Construction Restricted: 6 PM – 7 AM weekdays; all day Sat/Sun. Standard: Unreasonable to person of ordinary sensibilities. Enforcement: 972-744-4111.

Noise violations are Class C misdemeanors under the Richardson Code. Municipal fines up to $2,000 per occurrence. Under Texas Penal Code Section 42.01, disorderly conduct including unreasonable noise carries fines up to $500.

Industrial Noise

Industrial and commercial noise in Richardson is regulated by zoning-based performance standards and the general noise ordinance. The Telecom Corridor hosts data centers and light manufacturing subject to property-line sound limits.

Key details: Industrial Uses: Industrial uses must contain noise within property lines under zoning code. General Noise: General noise ordinance applies citywide regardless of zoning. Class C: Class C misdemeanor fines up to $500 per violation. Code Enforcement: Code Enforcement investigates ongoing industrial noise complaints. Telecom Corridor: Telecom Corridor businesses typically use enclosures and sound walls for compliance.

Class C misdemeanor under general noise ordinance, up to $500 per occurrence. Zoning violations can accrue daily civil penalties. Commercial/industrial operators may face permit revocation or site plan enforcement. Report industrial noise to Code Enforcement or Richardson Police non-emergency (972) 744-4800.

Decibel Limits

Richardson relies primarily on a plainly-audible and nuisance-based standard rather than fixed decibel thresholds in most residential cases, though commercial and industrial districts are subject to property-line performance standards.

Key details: Authority: No fixed dBA table in code — plainly audible standard used. Authority: Amplified sound cited if audible at 30 feet or property line. Curfew Hours: Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Measurement: Zoning performance standards apply at district boundaries. Authority: Fines up to $500 as Class C misdemeanor.

Class C misdemeanor, fines up to $500 per occurrence. Repeated violations can be charged as separate offenses per day. Amplified sound from vehicles can also trigger separate traffic-related citations. Contact Richardson Police non-emergency at (972) 744-4800.

Aircraft Noise

Aircraft noise in Richardson falls under FAA federal jurisdiction, not local control. The city lies roughly 3 miles from Addison Airport (ADS) and under flight paths serving DFW International.

Key details: Faa Has Exclusive: FAA has exclusive jurisdiction over aircraft noise in flight. Addison Airport (ads): Addison Airport (ADS) is approximately 3 miles from Richardson. City Noise Ordinance: City noise ordinance exempts lawful aircraft operations. File Complaints With: File complaints with Addison Airport noise line or FAA. Dart Light Rail: DART light rail (Red Line) serves Richardson but is not aircraft-related.

No local penalties — Richardson does not cite aircraft for in-flight noise. Complaints go to Addison Airport noise hotline or FAA. Ground-based nuisance noise from unrelated sources may still be enforced under the general noise ordinance.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Richardson gives residents more room on noise ordinances. 2 of the 9 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 Richardson's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.