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

Every city handles noise from specific sources a little differently. In Plano, Texas, 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.

HVAC & Mechanical Noise

Noise from a heating, refrigeration, ventilation, air conditioning, generator, or pool equipment system in Plano has a defense to a noise-nuisance charge only while it stays at or under 65 dBA on residential property or 75 dBA on commercial, mixed-use, or industrial property, per Code of Ordinances § 14-89(a)(4).

Key details: Residential HVAC/generator cap: 65 dBA. Commercial/industrial cap: 75 dBA. Equipment covered: HVAC, generator, pool equipment. Time restriction: none: applies around the clock. Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 14-89(a)(4).

Mechanical equipment noise above 65 dBA on residential property, or 75 dBA on commercial/mixed-use or industrial property, forfeits the § 14-89(a)(4) defense and becomes a prosecutable noise-nuisance offense under § 14-86. Penalties under § 14-91.8 run up to $500 per day for a first offense, with minimum fines of $300 and $400 for second and third convictions within three years, plus possible abatement or injunctive relief against the equipment operator.

Bar & Nightclub Noise

A Plano bar or nightclub that wants to exceed the Table 1 noise limits must hold a city-council-approved entertainment venue permit, and even then may only run at commercial/industrial daytime decibel levels between 10:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and New Year's Eve, under Code of Ordinances §§ 14-91 and 14-91.1.

Key details: Permit required to exceed: Table 1 noise levels. Extended-hours window: 10 p.m.–11:59 p.m. Fri/Sat/NYE. Permit term: 3 years (5 with clean record). Distance from residential zone: no permit within 100 ft. Revocation trigger: 2+ violations in 24 months.

Operating an entertainment venue above Table 1 noise levels without a valid permit, or outside a permit's hours (limited to 10:00 p.m.–11:59 p.m. Friday, Saturday, or New Year's Eve) and its daytime-equivalent decibel condition, is prosecutable under § 14-86 with fines up to $500 per day under § 14-91.8. The department may also revoke the permit itself after two or more violations within 24 months under § 14-91.6, barring the same operator from a new permit for a year.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Plano actively enforces its bar & nightclub noise requirements.

Delivery Truck Noise

A Plano food service establishment that accepts supply deliveries between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. avoids a noise-nuisance citation only if the delivery lasts no more than one hour, involves only food, non-alcoholic beverages, supplies, or ice, and stays at or under 65 dBA measured from the nearest residential property, per Code of Ordinances § 14-89(a)(13).

Key details: Protected delivery window: 10:00 p.m.–5:00 a.m.. Max delivery duration: one hour. Noise ceiling: 65 dBA at nearest residence. Allowed cargo: food, non-alcoholic drinks, supplies, ice. Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 14-89(a)(13).

A food service establishment whose nighttime delivery noise exceeds 65 dBA at the closest residential property, runs longer than one hour, or involves anything other than food, non-alcoholic beverages, supplies, or ice loses its § 14-89(a)(13) defense and is subject to prosecution under § 14-86 for an unreasonable noise nuisance. Penalties follow § 14-91.8: up to $500 per day, with escalating minimum fines of $300 and $400 for a second and third conviction within three years.

The Bottom Line

Plano'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 Plano is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Plano 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.