Noise Ordinances in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Chattanooga, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Chattanooga City Code § 25-79(a)(2) bars playing amplified music loud enough to disturb neighbors in residential zones between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. The rule exempts city-permitted block parties, festivals and park reservations issued under § 24-100, and it sits alongside a matching 8:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew on yelling and street noise in § 25-79(a)(3).
Chattanooga Residential Quiet Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 25-79(a)(2)
(2)Amplified music in residential zones. The playing of any radio, phonograph, or any amplified music in such a manner or with such volume, particularly during the hours between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, or other type of residence or of any persons in the vicinity. This regulation shall not apply to special event...
Construction Hours
Chattanooga City Code § 25-68(a)(8) confines construction noise, building erection, demolition, alteration or repair, and street excavation, in residential areas to 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Work outside those hours needs a building inspector's permit, granted only for urgent public-health or safety necessity and capped at thirty days while the emergency lasts.
Chattanooga Construction Noise Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 25-68(a)(8)
(8)Construction work. The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building in any residential district or section, and the excavation of streets in any residential district or section, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., except in cases of urgent necessity in the interest of the public health and safety, and then only with a permit from the ...
Barking Dogs
Chattanooga's noise ordinance makes a barking dog a punishable nuisance once it hits a measurable threshold: ten or more barks a minute for five straight minutes, audible from 100 feet away, that disturbs a neighbor in a residence, hotel, motel or hospital. City Code § 25-68(a)(4) exempts dogs responding to an emergency or a trespasser, and City Court can fine an owner up to $500 per violation under § 25-74.
Chattanooga Barking Dog Noise Standard
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 25-68(a)(4)
(a)The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this article, but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:...(4)Dogs. The keeping of any dog(s) which, by causing frequent or long, continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in a residence, hotel, motel or hospital. For the purposes of this subsection,...
Leaf Blower Rules
In Chattanooga residential zones, lawnmowers and leaf blowers are barred 8:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. unless adjoining neighbors consent.
Chattanooga Leaf Blower Hours
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 25-79(a)(9)
Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, weed-eaters, chain saws, etc. Operate lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed-eaters, chain saws or other domestic tools out-of-doors between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. without the express consent of adjoining residential property owners.(10)Fireworks. It shall be unlawful to set off fireworks after the hour of 11:30 p.m., except on Juneteenth, July 4 th , and New Ye...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Chattanooga caps amplified advertising sound at 60 dB(A) measured at the nearest public right-of-way or park boundary, targeting loudspeakers and PA systems businesses use to draw in customers.
Chattanooga Loudspeaker Advertising Limit
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 25-69(a)(4)
(4)Operate or allow the operation of any sound amplification equipment for advertising purposes or otherwise to attract customers so as to cast sounds which are unreasonably loud and disturbing or which register more than sixty (60) dB(A) at or on the boundary of the nearest public right-of-way or park.(5)Operate or allow the operation for personal use of any sound amplification equipment on th...
Decibel Limits
Chattanooga caps sound amplification equipment at 55 dB(A) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 50 dB(A) overnight, measured at the nearest residential property line, hospital, school, or nursing home.
Chattanooga Citywide Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 25-69(a)(1)
(1)Operate or allow the operation of any sound amplification equipment so as to create sounds registering fifty-five (55) dB(A) between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. or fifty (50) dB(A) between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., as measured anywhere within the boundary line of the nearest residentially occupied property, hospital, school in session or nursing home, except in accordance with a permit obtained f...
Vehicle Noise
Chattanooga requires a working muffler on every street-driven vehicle and caps vehicle noise at 90 decibels, with engine brakes needing an approved muffler.
Chattanooga Vehicle Muffler Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 24-438
No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any street in the city unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke.(b)It shall be unlawful to use a "muffler cutout" on any motor vehicle upon any road, street or highway.(c)Trucks, tractors, and semitrailers, as defined in T.C.A. § 55-8-101,...
Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chattanooga city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Hamilton County →