Hendersonville's Noise from Specific Sources: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise from specific sources a little differently. In Hendersonville, Tennessee, there are 3 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.

Delivery Truck Noise

Hendersonville bans 'loud and excessive noise' created while loading or unloading a vehicle or breaking down bales, boxes, and crates under Municipal Code § 11-402(1)(j), the section that most directly covers delivery-truck noise at homes and businesses. The rule exempts only municipal vehicles on necessary public business; private delivery trucks, box trucks, and freight carriers get no separate carve-out.

Key details: Governing section: § 11-402(1)(j). Covers: Loading/unloading vehicle and crate noise. Time window: None, applies any hour. Exempt vehicles: Municipal only (§ 11-402(2)(a)). Maximum fine: $50 + $175 court costs.

A citation for loud loading or unloading noise under § 11-402(1)(j) carries the same citywide penalty as any other Chapter 4 offense: a fine capped at $50 under § 3-302(1)(a) plus $175 in mandatory court costs under § 3-302(2)(a). Only municipal vehicles on necessary public business are exempt under § 11-402(2)(a); private delivery and freight vehicles have no separate carve-out.

Car Alarm Limits

Hendersonville bars sounding a car horn or vehicle signal device while parked except as a genuine danger signal, and separately outlaws harsh or unreasonably prolonged horn or alarm blasts.

Key details: Covers: Horns and signal devices. Parked vehicles: No non-emergency sounding. Bars: Harsh or prolonged blasts. Enforced by: Hendersonville Police Department.

A stationary vehicle sounding its horn, alarm, or signal device unreasonably is a municipal-code violation; Municipal Court sets fines, and officers respond to complaints under the anti-noise ordinance.

Generator Noise

Hendersonville requires stationary engines and generators to exhaust through a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise, banning unmuffled open-air discharge citywide.

Key details: Covers: Stationary engines, generators. Requires: Effective muffler device. Bars: Loud or explosive exhaust. Enforced by: Hendersonville Police Department.

Running a stationary engine or generator without effective muffling is a municipal-code violation under the anti-noise ordinance; Municipal Court sets the fine.

The Bottom Line

Hendersonville's noise from specific sources 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 Hendersonville is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Hendersonville 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.