Noise Ordinances in Decatur, AL (2026)
3 verified noise ordinances for Decatur, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Barking Dogs
Section 16-15 of the Decatur City Code makes it unlawful to keep any domestic or farm animal or fowl, including cats and dogs, in a way that becomes a public or private nuisance due to insects, vermin, obnoxious odors or noises. The code sets no decibel level or quiet hours for animals.
Decatur, Alabama Animal Noise Nuisance Rule
Light RestrictionsDecatur City Code § 16-15
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any domestic or farm animal or fowl, including cats and dogs, within the corporate limits of the city in any such manner as will be or may become a menace to public health, or in any such manner as to constitute a public or private nuisance due to insects, vermin, obnoxious odors or noises.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, § 16-9 makes it unlawful to speak through any horn, megaphone, sound box or amplifier, or to play amplified music, in the city or its police jurisdiction without a permit from the mayor. Section 16-9.1 separately requires a sound control permit from the chief of police to exceed the adopted noise limits.
Decatur, AL Amplified Sound Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsDecatur City Code § 16-9
It shall be unlawful for any person within the city or its police jurisdiction who has not first obtained a permit from the mayor to speak through any horn, megaphone, sound box or amplifier or to play any phonograph, radio or other mechanical or electrical device where the sound is amplified; provided, that this section shall not restrict the playing of radios, phonographs or musical instrumen...
Vehicle Noise
In the City of Decatur, Alabama, it is unlawful for a driver to use an engine compression brake on any public roadway within the corporate limits. Public safety vehicles, true emergencies and vehicles equipped with a noise baffling device are exempt. Convictions are punished under the general penalty in section 1-8.
Decatur, AL Engine Compression Brake Ban
Significant RestrictionsDecatur City Code § 22-47
(a)Definitions. ... Engine compression brake shall mean any device that utilizes compression and/or rapid release of compressed air in the cylinders of diesel engines to slow or retard vehicle speed. ... (b)It shall be unlawful for the operator of a motor vehicle to engage or allow to be engaged, operate, or use an engine compression brake while the vehicle is operated on any public roadway wit...