Noise from Specific Sources in El Paso, TX (2026)
5 verified noise from specific sources rules for El Paso, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
HVAC & Mechanical Noise
El Paso exempts normal HVAC operation from noise-nuisance enforcement, but only under a measured cap. City Code § 9.40.020(A)(8) clears air-conditioning units, heat pumps, HVAC systems and pool machinery so long as they stay at or below 70 dBA on residential property or 75 dBA on nonresidential property.
El Paso HVAC and Pool Equipment Noise Cap
Some RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 9.40.020(A)(8) (Applicability)
8. Sound produced by the operation of any air-conditioning unit, heat pump, HVAC system, or swimming pool machinery which does not produce a sound exceeding seventy dBA on residential property or [seventy-five] dBA on nonresidential property, when measured at the nearest exterior wall of a residential or commercial building under separate ownership, or occupancy; or
Car Alarm Limits
Letting a car horn or vehicle alarm sound continuously or frequently is a noise nuisance in El Paso. City Code § 9.40.020(B)(6) bans the 'continued or frequent sounding of any horn or other signal device' on an automobile, motorcycle, or bus, except as a genuine danger signal.
El Paso Car Horn and Alarm Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 9.40.020(B)(6) (Horns and signal devices)
6. Horns and signal devices. The continued or frequent sounding of any horn or other signal device on any automobile or vehicle, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle, except as a danger signal.
Generator Noise
Running a portable generator or other power equipment outdoors on residential property in El Paso is barred from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. City Code § 9.40.020(B)(11) sets that curfew, and § 9.40.020(B)(7) separately bans any mechanical or electrical device that unreasonably disturbs a neighbor at any hour.
El Paso Generator and Power Equipment Noise
Some RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 9.40.020(B)(7) and (B)(11)
7. Mechanical devices. Operating or permitting to be operated, any mechanical, electrical, or electronic device outdoors on residential property in such a manner as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the sleep, peace, comfort, or repose of a person of reasonable sensibilities. ... 11. Power equipment. Operating or permitting to be operated any power equipment on residential property outd...
Delivery Truck Noise
Late-night deliveries get a narrow exemption from El Paso's noise rules. City Code § 9.40.020(A)(14) allows 10:00 p.m.-to-5:00 a.m. deliveries only if they last one hour or less, carry only food, nonalcoholic drinks, food-service supplies or ice, and stay under 65 dB(A) at the nearest residence.
El Paso Late-Night Delivery Noise Limit
Light RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 9.40.020(A)(14) (Applicability)
14. Establishments that accept delivery of supplies or other items, provided that if the delivery occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., then: a. The delivery lasts for one hour or less; b. The delivery is only for food, nonalcoholic beverages, food service supplies, or ice; and c. The delivery sound level when measured from the residential property closest in proximity to the establishment d...
Low-Frequency Bass Limits
El Paso regulates bass and other low-frequency noise separately from ordinary loudness. City Code § 9.40.030(B) makes it unlawful for sound from a non-restaurant property to exceed 75 dB(C), the C-weighted scale that captures bass frequencies A-weighting discounts, measured at the property line between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
El Paso's 75 dB(C) Low-Frequency Bass Limit
Some RestrictionsEl Paso City Code § 9.40.030(B)
For properties not defined as restaurants, it shall be unlawful for any person to conduct, permit, allow, or produce a sound that is discernable beyond the property lines of the property on which the sound is being produced that, when measured with a sound level meter using the standardized weight frequency weighting as specified by the American National Standards Institute, exceeds seventy-fiv...
Looking for El Paso County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement El Paso city rules.
Noise from Specific Sources in El Paso County →