Noise Ordinances in Abilene, TX (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Abilene, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Abilene relies on the Texas Penal Code, not a local noise-curfew ordinance, to police unreasonable nighttime noise. Section 42.01(a)(5) makes it a crime to make unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private residence a person has no right to occupy, and once a magistrate or peace officer has given notice, any noise measuring above 85 decibels is presumed unreasonable and prosecutable as disorderly conduct.
Abilene Unreasonable Noise Is a Class C Crime
Some RestrictionsTex. Penal Code § 42.01(a)(5), (c), (d)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: ... (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy; ... (c) For purposes of this section: (1) an act is deemed to occur in a public place or near...
Construction Hours
Abilene's own code exempts construction and maintenance noise between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. from its decibel table, but noise outside that window, or any unreasonable noise near a residence, can still be prosecuted under the state disorderly conduct statute once police give a warning.
Abilene Construction Noise and State Nuisance Law
Some RestrictionsTex. Penal Code § 42.01(a)(5), (c)(2), (d)
(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: ... (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy; ... (c) For purposes of this section: (1) an act is deemed to occur in a public place or near a private residence if it produ...
Barking Dogs
Abilene's Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful to own or control any animal that causes unreasonably loud or unnecessary noise disturbing neighbors, and separately lists 'animal noises' among the acts Chapter 19 declares a public nuisance. Abilene Animal Outreach can issue a citation requiring a Municipal Court appearance within ten days.
Abilene Bans Unreasonably Loud Animal Noise
Some RestrictionsAbilene Code of Ordinances §§ 6-6, 19-15(5)
Sec. 6-6. - Noise. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or be in control of any animal which causes unreasonably loud or unnecessary noise that causes material distress or discomfort to persons of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity. ... Sec. 19-15: The maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving or permitting to be or remain on any public or private property of a...
Leaf Blower Rules
Abilene has no leaf blower-specific restrictions. General noise ordinance limits apply. DFW area is EPA ozone nonattainment but no equipment bans.
Abilene Leaf Blower Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01(a)(5), (c)(2)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: ... (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy ... (c)(2) a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 a...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Abilene regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. TX Penal Code §42.01 applies.
Abilene Amplified Music & Event Noise Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01(a)(5), (c)(2)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: ... (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy ... (c)(2) a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 a...
Decibel Limits
Abilene caps sound at the property line by octave band, from 86 decibels in the lowest band down to 65 on the A scale, measured at the boundary nearest the noise source. Nighttime noise gets a 7-decibel deduction, and brief or impulsive noise triggers adjustments up or down.
Abilene Noise Decibel Limits at Property Line
Some RestrictionsAbilene Land Development Code § 4.2.9.2, Table 4-3
(a) Permissible Noise Levels. At no point at the bounding property line of any use shall the sound pressure level exceed the decibel limits specified in the Octave Band groups designated in the following table: TABLE 4-3: MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DAYTIME OCTAVE BAND: DECIBEL LIMITS AT THE BOUNDING PROPERTY LINE... Decibel Band Limit (db re 0.0002 Microbar) 86 76 70 65 63 58 55 53 65 [A Scale]... (b)...
Vehicle Noise
Abilene sets no decibel level and no audible-at-a-distance standard for car stereos or vehicle sound equipment. Loud vehicle audio is policed only under the general prohibition on unreasonable, disturbing noise in Code section 20-1; the city's dedicated amplified-sound provision was repealed in December 2016.
Abilene Has No Vehicle Sound-System Decibel Limit
Light RestrictionsCode of Ordinances, ch. 20, art. I, § 20-1 (Noise control generally); former § 20-3 (amplifiers) deleted by Ord. No. 66-2016, 12-15-16
(a) Any unreasonable loud, disturbing, unnecessary noise which causes material distress, discomfort or injury to persons of ordinary sensibility in the immediate vicinity thereof is hereby declared to be unlawful and is hereby prohibited. (b) Any noise of such character, intensity and continued duration which substantially interferes with the comfort and enjoyment of private homes by persons of...
Looking for Taylor County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Abilene city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Taylor County →