Noise Ordinances in Louisville, KY (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Louisville, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
Construction and demolition noise in Louisville Metro is exempt from the noise ordinance only between 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M.; work outside those hours can be cited as unreasonably loud noise under Metro Code § 99.02.
Louisville Metro Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 99.03(B)(3)
Noises resulting from construction or demolition activity, provided such activity takes place between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M.; (4) Noises relating from the use of farm machinery or other machinery for agricultural purposes in bona fide farming operations; (5) Noises relating to the use of lawn mowers or other machinery for landscaping purposes between the hours of 7...
Barking Dogs
Metro code makes habitual, excessive barking a nuisance, and owners must control animals to prevent it or face fines from Metro Animal Services.
Louisville Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances §§ 91.001, 91.004, 91.999
NUISANCE. ... shall hereby being declared a nuisance: (a) Allowing or permitting an animal to habitually bark, whine, howl, mew, crow or cackle in an excessive or continual fashion or make other noise in such a manner so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises.
Leaf Blower Rules
Louisville Metro exempts lawn mowers and other landscaping machinery, including leaf blowers, from the noise ordinance only between 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. Run one outside that window and you lose the exemption.
Louisville Leaf Blower Hours: 7 AM-9 PM
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 99.03(B)(5)
Noises relating to the use of lawn mowers or other machinery for landscaping purposes between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M.; (6) Noises originating or emanating from public recreational facilities, such as but not limited to fairgrounds, sports arenas, sports stadiums, amusement parks, racetracks and other public amusement establishments; (7) The operation of any aircraft...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Louisville Metro bans sound amplifying equipment and live music at outdoor restaurant dining areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. under the Land Development Code's accessory-use standards.
Louisville Outdoor Live Music Curfew
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Land Development Code, Ch. 4 Part 4, § 4.4.12(J)
The use of sound amplifying equipment or live music is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.
Decibel Limits
Louisville Metro has no citywide table of maximum decibels by zoning district or time of day. Noise is judged by whether it's 'plainly audible' at 50 feet and 'unreasonably loud, harsh or excessive'; the only fixed number is a 70 dBA cap on portable generators.
Louisville Sets No Zone-Based Decibel Limits
Light RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 99.02(B)(7)
The use or operation of any portable generator which exceeds decibel levels of 70 dBA by any vehicle. (1994 Jeff. Code, § 98.02) (Jeff. Ord. 14-1993, adopted and effective 6-22- 1993; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 212-2003, approved 12-1-2003; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 186-2019, approved 12-2-2019, eff. 5-30-2020) Penalty, see § 98.99
Vehicle Noise
Louisville Metro bans loud car stereos, defective mufflers, and unnecessary horn use that create unreasonably loud, harsh, or excessive noise disturbing others.
Louisville Vehicle Stereo & Muffler Noise Law
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 99.02(B)(2), (4)
(2) The use or operation of any radio, stereo, or other machine or device for the producing, reproducing or amplification of sound in any vehicle in such a manner as to create an unreasonably loud, harsh, or excessive noise, that disturbs the peace, quiet or comfort of others; ... (4) The use or operation of any vehicle in such manner as to produce any unreasonably loud, harsh or excessive nois...