Noise Ordinances in Las Cruces, NM (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Las Cruces, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Las Cruces sets no fixed decibel limit or clock-based quiet hours. Its noise ordinance (Sec. 19-121) bans any loud or unusual noise audible 30 or more feet from the source, day or night.
Las Cruces Noise and Quiet Hours Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Municipal Code ch. 19, art. III, div. 2, Sec. 19-121
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made any loud or unusual noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others.(2)It shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this division if any loud or unusual noise is audible by any person or police officer at a distance of 30 or more feet from the source o...
Construction Hours
Construction, repair or demolition work on buildings, roadways, utilities or infrastructure that disturbs the comfort or repose of others is barred outside 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. under Code Sec. 19-131, with no exception except an urgent public necessity the city council itself must determine. A violation carries the same noise-division penalty as any other Sec. 19-133 offense.
Las Cruces Construction Noise Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 19-131 (Construction, repair or demolition work); § 19-133(1) (Penalties)
Sec. 19-131. Construction, repair or demolition work. Construction, repair or demolition work to commercial or residential buildings, roadways, utility facilities or infrastructure other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., which work disturbs the comfort or repose of others, shall be deemed a violation of this division except in case of urgent public necessity as determined by th...
Barking Dogs
Las Cruces treats a barking or howling animal as a nuisance once the noise runs more than ten minutes and reaches beyond the property line. Sec. 7-18(f) requires either a neighbor complaint plus a verified audio recording of the full ten minutes, or confirmation from an animal control or police officer, before a citation issues.
Las Cruces Barking Dog Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 7-18(f) (Nuisance prohibitions: Noise)
Noise. A person owning or having guardianship, care, custody or control of an animal shall not permit that animal to howl, bark or create noise which disturbs the comfort and repose of any person of ordinary sensibilities in the vicinity. It shall be a violation of this section if the howling, barking or noise is frequent or long-continued; is audible beyond the property line of the premises on...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Amplified music and sound equipment that would otherwise break Las Cruces's noise limits needs a temporary permit from the police chief. Section 19-134 lets an event run amplified sound between 7 a.m. and midnight for up to three consecutive days, but only after police weigh factors like distance to homes and neighbor objections.
Las Cruces Amplified Sound Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 19-134
(1)The chief of police may grant a temporary permit which allows noncompliance with the limitations prescribed in this article for the purpose of amplified sound activities of short duration. The issuance of such permits will be only for a time period between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight and shall not exceed three consecutive days.(2)Permits shall be granted upon application, at no cost to appl...
Aircraft Noise
Land uses near an airport other than Las Cruces International face specific limits under Land Development Code Section 38-54: nothing within 20,000 feet of an active runway may violate federal airspace protection rules, and any special use permit application for land near a runway must include a formal Noise Exposure Study.
Las Cruces Airport Noise Study Requirement
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Land Development Code § 38-54, Section 38-33H (Airport, Privately and Publicly Owned)
Properties within 20,000 feet of an active runway at any airport will not be allowed to conduct land uses that would violate Federal Airspace Protection Regulations, including 14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), Part 77. All other airports shall comply with 14 CFR, Part 77. Development standards, e.g., parking requirements, required runway paving standards, land uses will be determined as par...
Decibel Limits
Las Cruces caps off-highway vehicle noise at 96 decibels, measured under SAE standard J-1287, and bars selling any ATV, UTV or off-highway motorcycle that exceeds that level except for organized-competition use only. Sec. 27-12-7-9.9(A)(11) is the city's one numeric decibel standard; the general noise ordinance elsewhere uses a 30-foot audibility test instead.
Las Cruces Off-Highway Vehicle Noise Limit
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 27-12-7-9.9(A)(11), (E)
A.A person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle:...(11)That produces noise that exceeds 96 decibels when measured using test procedures established by the society of automotive engineers pursuant to standard J-1287...E.An off-highway motor vehicle may not be sold or offered for sale if the vehicle produces noise that exceeds 96 decibels when measured using test procedures established ...
Vehicle Noise
Sec. 19-130 bans defective mufflers and exhaust devices that let a vehicle's engine make loud, disturbing noise, and Sec. 19-132 separately caps car stereo volume at whatever is audible 30 feet away or felt as vibration at that distance. Both fall under the noise division's penalty section, a petty misdemeanor carrying $100.00 to $500.00 in fines and up to 90 days in jail.
Las Cruces Vehicle Muffler & Stereo Noise Law
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 19-130 (Mufflers and exhaust devices); § 19-132(1) (Vehicular sound amplification systems)
Sec. 19-130. Mufflers and exhaust devices. The use of defective mufflers and other exhaust devices designed to permit the creating and maintaining of loud and disturbing noises while any automobile, truck or motorcycle engine is in operation, which disturbs the peace and quiet of a neighborhood, shall be deemed a violation of this division. ... Sec. 19-132. Limitations on the volume of sound em...
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