Noise Ordinances in Birmingham, AL (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Birmingham sets no citywide decibel curfew. Its noise code (Title 11, Ch. 8, Art. B) instead uses a reasonable-person nuisance standard mirroring Alabama's statutory definition of nuisance, while tying many specific activities to a 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. restricted window.
No Fixed Decibel Curfew; Reasonable-Person Nuisance Test
Some RestrictionsCode of Ala. 1975, Sec. 6-5-120 (Code 1907, sec. 5193; Code 1940, T. 7, sec. 1081)
A "nuisance" is anything that works hurt, inconvenience, or damage to another. The fact that the act done may otherwise be lawful does not keep it from being a nuisance. The inconvenience complained of must not be fanciful or such as would affect only one of a fastidious taste, but it should be such as would affect an ordinary reasonable man.
Construction Hours
Birmingham City Code section 11-8-23(15) prohibits construction, demolition, grading and related work between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within 500 feet of any residentially zoned district, unless the traffic engineer allows night work because traffic conditions prevent daytime activity.
Construction Banned 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Near Residential
Some RestrictionsCode of the City of Birmingham, Sec. 11-8-23(15) (Ord. No. 98-25; Ord. No. 04-98, 9-14-2004)
Construction. a. Any and all activity incidental to the erection, demolition, assembling, altering, repairing, installing, or equipping of buildings, structure, roads, or appurtenances thereto, including and clearing, grading, excavating and filling between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within 500 feet of any residentially zoned district, except that the traffic engineer may allow such ...
Barking Dogs
Birmingham City Code section 11-8-23(2) makes it a noise violation to keep any animal that creates excessive noise across a property line, defining a barking dog as one barking continuously for 10 minutes or intermittently for a half hour or more.
Barking Dogs: 10-Min Continuous / 30-Min Intermittent
Some RestrictionsCode of the City of Birmingham, Sec. 11-8-23(2) (Ord. No. 98-25; Ord. No. 04-98, 9-14-2004)
Animals, birds, etc. ... For the purposes of this section, the term "barking dog" means a dog that barks, bays, cries, howls, or makes other noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten minutes, or barks intermittently for one-half hour or more which disturbs the comfort or repose of persons of ordinary sensibilities in the vicinity.
Amplified Music & Events
Birmingham City Code section 11-8-23(8) makes amplified sound, stereos, TVs and musical instruments a nuisance when plainly audible 50 feet from a building or 10 feet from a vehicle. Permitted special events under sec. 12-5-22 are exempt only between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Amplified Sound Plainly Audible 50 ft / 10 ft Prohibited
Heavy RestrictionsCode of the City of Birmingham, Sec. 11-8-23(8) (Ord. No. 98-25; Ord. No. 02-47; Ord. No. 04-98, 9-14-2004)
Sound amplification systems, television sets, musical instruments, etc. Operating, playing or permitting the playing of any sound amplification systems, television sets, musical instruments, radio, phonograph, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces sounds in such a manner as to either annoy, disturb, or injure or endanger the comfort, health, peace or safety of reasonable ...
Aircraft Noise
Birmingham's noise ordinance expressly exempts noise from the operation of the Birmingham International Airport (City Code sec. 11-8-25(3)). In-flight aircraft noise is governed by federal law, which holds the United States has exclusive sovereignty over the navigable airspace (49 U.S.C. 40103).
Aircraft Noise Federally Preempted; Airport Exempt
Few Restrictions49 U.S.C. 40103(a)(1)-(2) (Sovereignty and use of airspace)
The United States Government has exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States. A citizen of the United States has a public right of transit through the navigable airspace.
Vehicle Noise
Birmingham City Code section 11-8-23 bars sounding a vehicle horn or signal device for more than 30 seconds except as a danger warning, requires effective mufflers, prohibits loud defective or improperly loaded vehicles, and limits car audio under the 10-foot plainly-audible rule.
Vehicle Horns, Exhaust and Car Stereos Restricted
Some RestrictionsCode of the City of Birmingham, Sec. 11-8-23(1) (Ord. No. 98-25; Ord. No. 04-98, 9-14-2004)
Horns, signaling devices, etc. a. The sounding of any horn, electronic alarm, or other signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus or other motor vehicle for more than 30 seconds constantly, except as a danger warning when and as required by ordinances of the city or by the Code of Alabama.
Looking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Jefferson County →