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Noise Ordinances in Denton, TX (2026)

8 verified noise ordinances for Denton, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Quiet Hours

Denton Code Ch. 17, Art. II (Sec. 17-20) prohibits noise of such character, intensity, and duration as to substantially interfere with comfortable enjoyment of private homes. Outdoor amplified events capped at 70 dBA at the event perimeter. Fry Street and downtown square entertainment areas generate the most complaints. Class C misdemeanor, fines up to $500 per offense.

Denton Quiet Hours & Noise Ordinance

Some Restrictions

Tex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct)

Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;...

Construction Hours

Denton bars building construction and repair noise outside set daily windows that shift with the season and shrink further on weekends.

Denton Sets Legal Construction Work Hours

Some Restrictions

Sec. 17-20(c)(3)f.

The erection, excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair work on any building at anytime other than between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 1 to September 30; between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from October 1 to May 31; between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday; and between 1:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday; provided, however, that th...

Barking Dogs

Denton Code Sec. 6-9 prohibits any animal from creating noise that interferes with neighbors' reasonable enjoyment of their property. Residents within 300 feet may file complaints with Denton Animal Services at (940) 349-7594. Repeat offenders face nuisance declaration requiring permanent removal of the animal from city limits within 30 days.

Denton Barking Dog Ordinance

Light Restrictions

Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.092 - Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals

Sec. 42.092. CRUELTY TO NONLIVESTOCK ANIMALS. (a) In this section:(1) "Abandon" includes abandoning an animal in the person's custody without making reasonable arrangements for assumption of custody by another person.(2) "Animal" means a domesticated living creature, including any stray or feral cat or dog, and a wild living creature previously captured. The term does not include an uncap...

Leaf Blower Rules

Denton has no standalone leaf blower ordinance. Leaf blowers are regulated under the general noise provisions of Sec. 17-20 and the construction-hours framework. As of January 1, 2025, Sec. 17-40(k) prohibits blowing yard waste into public streets. Commercial landscaping crews must follow construction-hour time limits.

Denton Leaf Blower Rules

Few Restrictions

Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.01 - Disorderly Conduct

Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the p...

Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound

Denton caps outdoor amplified sound at 70 dBA at the event perimeter under Sec. 17-20. Special event permits from the city are required for outdoor concerts, festivals, and block parties. The downtown square and Quakertown Park host major events like Denton Arts & Jazz Festival and 35 Denton. No entertainment-district noise exemption exists.

Denton Outdoor Music Rules

Some Restrictions

Tex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct)

Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;...

Aircraft Noise

Homes built or rebuilt near Denton Enterprise Airport in the Airport Compatibility Land Use District must meet FAA noise mitigation standards or grant the city an avigation easement covering aircraft noise, vibration, and fumes.

Denton Airport Noise Mitigation Standards

Some Restrictions

Denton Development Code § 4.5.10, Noise Mitigation (see also § 4.5.9, ACLUD)

Noise mitigation shall be required in accordance with FAA requirements. The Building Official may approve alternative standards upon the submission of plans signed by a qualified acoustical engineer certifying that the alternative standard will reduce outside noise levels to the day-night average sound level (Ldn) of 45 decibels (dB) or less inside the building. Denton, Texas - Denton Dev...

Decibel Limits

Denton caps home stereo, TV, and instrument noise at 65 dBA measured 50 feet away during both daytime and nighttime hours, dropping to 50 dBA for adjacent units in multi-family buildings, under Sec. 17-20 of the Property Maintenance Code.

Denton Sets 65 dBA Home Noise Limit

Some Restrictions

Sec. 17-20(c)(3)a.

The playing of any phonograph, television, radio, or any musical instrument in such manner or with such volume, so as to be clearly audible to a person in a residence the person playing the instrument does not have the right to occupy; and 1.During the daytime, measure more than sixty-five (65) dba on the A-weighting scale on an approved sound-level meter at more than fifty (50) feet from the s...

Vehicle Noise

Denton makes it illegal to play a car radio, stereo, or amplifier loud enough to be clearly audible more than 35 feet from the vehicle. Denton Code Enforcement handles it under the city noise ordinance, and violators face a fine up to $500.

Denton vehicle sound-system noise limit: audible at 35 feet

Some Restrictions

Denton, Tex., Code of Ordinances ch. 17, art. II, Sec. 17-20(c)(3)d

The following acts, among others, are declared to be noise nuisances in violation of this chapter... d. The use of any radio, stereo, amplifier, sound amplifying equipment, or other musical device installed or contained in a motor vehicle at a volume such that it is clearly audible to any person from more than thirty-five (35) feet from the vehicle.

Looking for Denton County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Denton city rules.

Noise Ordinances in Denton County