Noise Ordinances in Midland, TX (2026)
7 verified noise ordinances for Midland, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Midland enforces noise standards balancing a 24/7 oil economy with residential quality of life. Oilfield operations near city limits generate persistent industrial noise. Quiet hours apply in residential zones but industrial exemptions are broad.
Midland TX Noise Ordinance
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01(a)(5), (c)(2)
A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly... makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy.... For purposes of this section: ... a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 after the person...
Construction Hours
Midland limits construction activity near homes and hospitals to established hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. under Chapter 4-13 of the Code of Ordinances. Working outside those hours within 600 feet of an occupied residence or hospital is barred unless the contractor holds an after-hours construction permit that requires advance notice and noise-minimizing conditions.
Midland Construction Work Hours Limits
Some RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 4-13-2
(A)Prohibited after-hours construction activity. A person shall not perform after-hours construction activity within 600 feet of an occupied residential use or a hospital.(B)Exception. It is an exception to the application of subsection (A) that the person possessed an after-hours construction permit or was working at the direction of another who possessed an after-hours construction permit at ...
Barking Dogs
Midland Code Section 6-2-5 makes it a misdemeanor to keep a dog whose loud or unusual barking or howling disturbs, or is reasonably liable to disturb, the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or nearby occupants. The standard doesn't require a decibel reading or repeat complaints, just a showing the barking disrupted or could reasonably be expected to disrupt neighbors, and it applies to any premises the keeper controls.
Midland Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-2-5
Any person who shall harbor or keep on his premises, or in or about his premises, or premises under his control, any dog which, by loud or unusual barking or howling, shall cause the peace and quiet of the neighborhood or the occupants of the adjacent premises to be disturbed, or reasonably liable to be disturbed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Leaf Blower Rules
Midland doesn't ban leaf blowers outright, but Section 6-6-16(H) only shields their use, along with lawnmowers, weed eaters and edgers, from prosecution under the citywide noise-nuisance ordinance between sunrise and sunset. Run one before sunrise or after sunset and it loses that defense, exposing the operator to a citation under Section 6-6-13's general "unreasonably loud, disturbing, raucous, or unnecessary noise" prohibition, which sets no minimum decibel level.
Midland Leaf Blower Noise Hours
Light RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-6-16(H); § 6-6-13(A), (C)
(A)Any unreasonably loud, disturbing, raucous, or unnecessary noise that causes distress, discomfort, or injury to persons of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity thereof is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is hereby prohibited. ... (C)A minimum decibel level shall not be required to be in violation of this ordinance. ... The following shall be affirmative defenses to prosecutio...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Playing musical instruments, amplified music, or holding a concert in a Midland park or playground requires advance permission from the director of parks and recreation under City Code § 9-5-1. Citywide, loud loudspeakers and amplifiers are also a punishable nuisance under § 6-6-15(B), unless the amplified sound is part of a permitted public event on city, county, school or other public-entity property.
Midland TX Park Amplified Music Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 9-5-1; see also § 9-5-17 and § 6-6-15(B)
Sec. 9-5-1. - Playing of musical instruments, amplified music and concerts. It shall be unlawful for any person within a park or playground to play musical instruments, to play amplified music, or to conduct a concert without permission from the director of the parks and recreation department. ... Sec. 6-6-15. - Specific acts deemed loud and raucous. ... (B)Loudspeakers and amplifiers. The use ...
Decibel Limits
Midland's only numeric noise limit citywide applies to oil and gas drilling: engine mufflers must hold sound to 70 decibels or less measured 100 feet from the drill site.
Midland Oil Well Drilling Decibel Limit
Some RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-1-7(K)(2)
2. That an internal combustion engine may be used in the drilling operations of the well, or wells, and if an internal combustion engine is used, that mufflers be installed on all engines so as to reduce noise to not more than 70 decibels at any point 100 feet beyond the drill site; and all of said installations to be done in accordance with accepted practices for fire prevention purposes. For ...
Vehicle Noise
Midland bans loud engine brakes, Jake brakes and similar retarders on any street or highway within city limits under City Code Section 6-1-24, with an exception only for genuine emergencies.
Midland TX Engine Brake Noise Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMidland Code of Ordinances § 6-1-24
The use or operation of an engine brake, engine retarder, "Jake" brake or any other such device that is equipped on any motor vehicle and that is designed to aid in braking, decompression or deceleration in such a manner that results in an excessive, loud, unusual or explosive noise from such vehicle is prohibited; provided, however, that it shall be an exception to such prohibition if an emerg...
Looking for Midland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Midland city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Midland County →