Noise Ordinances in Denton, TX (2026)
9 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 RestrictionsTex. 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 Sec. 17-20(c)(3)(f) sets seasonal construction hours: summer weekdays (Jun 1 - Sep 30) 6 AM to 8:30 PM, winter weekdays (Oct 1 - May 31) 7 AM to 8:30 PM, Saturdays 8 AM to 8:30 PM, Sundays 1 PM to 8:30 PM. City Council may grant special permits for emergency or essential public work.
Denton Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsBarking 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
Some RestrictionsTexas 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 RestrictionsTexas 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 & Events
Denton Sec. 17-20 caps outdoor amplified events at 70 dBA measured at the event perimeter. The Fry Street entertainment district near UNT and the downtown courthouse square host the densest live music scene. Indoor venues must contain sound within the premises. No specific entertainment district noise exemption exists in the code.
Denton Amplified Music Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. 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
Denton Enterprise Airport (DTO) is a city-owned general aviation facility within city limits. Aircraft noise is federally regulated under FAA Part 150 and the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. The city has no local aircraft noise ordinance because FAA rules preempt municipal regulation of aircraft in flight.
Denton Aircraft Noise
Few RestrictionsIndustrial Noise
Denton regulates industrial noise through Sec. 17-20 general noise provisions and the Denton Development Code zoning buffers. Industrial and manufacturing zones require screening and buffering when adjacent to residential districts. TCEQ enforces statewide air quality and nuisance standards for industrial facilities.
Denton Industrial Noise Regulations
Some RestrictionsDecibel Limits
Denton Sec. 17-20 uses a reasonableness standard rather than fixed decibel limits for most noise sources. The one specific numeric limit is 70 dBA at the event perimeter for outdoor amplified events. Measurements use the A-weighted scale over a minimum two-minute period. No separate residential vs. commercial dBA thresholds are codified.
Denton Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Music
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 RestrictionsTex. 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;...
Looking for Denton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Denton city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Denton County →