Noise Ordinances in Lexington, KY (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Lexington, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Lexington-Fayette bans loud saws, drills, lawnmowers and similar power tools between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. every night, and before 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, if the noise carries onto a neighbor's property.
Lexington Nighttime Power Tool Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-72(3)
Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, lawnmower or other similar device used outdoors that creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary other than powered snow removal equipment, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, or on Saturday or Sunday before the hour of 9:00 a.m., ...
Construction Hours
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bars running construction, drilling or demolition tools between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. whenever the noise crosses into a neighbor's dwelling unit. The night-hours ban excludes emergency utility work and holders of a mayor-approved special variance, and it doesn't cover ordinary domestic power tools, which fall under a separate lawn-and-garden-tool clause.
Lexington Construction Noise Hours Ordinance
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72
Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by special variance as provided for in section 14-74. This paragr...
Barking Dogs
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 makes it unlawful to keep or harbor any animal, pets included, that repeatedly or frequently barks, yelps, howls, meows or squawks in a way that annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities across a dwelling unit boundary.
Lexington Barking Dog Noise Ordinance
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor within the urban county any animal, including, but not limited to, domestic pets, that repeatedly or frequently emits any sound, including but not limited to barking, yelping, howling, meowing, or squawking, or that otherwise creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, in such a manner so as to annoy or disturb a reasonable ...
Leaf Blower Rules
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bars running a lawnmower, saw, drill, sander, grinder or other lawn or garden tool outdoors between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, or before 9:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, whenever the noise creates a disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary. Powered snow removal equipment is excluded.
Lexington Leaf Blower & Lawn Tool Hours
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72
Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, lawnmower or other similar device used outdoors that creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary other than powered snow removal equipment, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, or on Saturday or Sunday before the hour of 9:00 a.m., ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bans any loudspeaker, PA system or mobile sound vehicle used to amplify sound on a public right-of-way or public space for a commercial purpose: no exceptions, no hours. For noncommercial amplified sound, the same section bars operation between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. whenever the sound crosses into a neighboring dwelling unit and creates a disturbance.
Lexington Amplified Sound & Loudspeaker Rules
Significant RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72
Using, operating or permitting the operation of any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle or similar device amplifying sound therefrom on a public right-of-way or public space for any commercial purpose. Using, operating or permitting for any noncommercial purpose any loudspeaker, public address system, mobile sound vehicle or similar device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. an...
Decibel Limits
Contractors and demolition crews in Lexington-Fayette cannot run construction, drilling or demolition tools overnight if the sound crosses onto a neighboring dwelling, and the mayor's office is the only place to get relief through a hardship variance.
Lexington Construction and Demolition Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsLexington-Fayette Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-72(2)
Operating or permitting the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling or demolition work between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by special variance as provided for in section 14-74.
Vehicle Noise
Lexington-Fayette bans engine brakes, compression brakes ('Jake brakes') and other mechanical exhaust devices that cause a 'noise disturbance' anywhere except on limited-access highways, under LFUCG Code § 18-40. Violators face $50 to $500 per offense, though the ban doesn't reach LFUCG emergency-services drivers or anyone responding to an emergency.
Lexington Bans Engine Brakes That Cause Noise
Significant RestrictionsLFUCG Code of Ordinances § 18-40
It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to use or operate or cause to be used or operated any engine brake, compression brake or mechanical exhaust device designed to aid in the braking or deceleration of any vehicle which results in a noise disturbance, except on limited-access highways. This prohibition shall not apply to personnel of the urban county government who are driving veh...