Noise Ordinances in San Antonio, TX (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for San Antonio, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
San Antonio noise ordinance quiet hours are 10 PM–6 AM Sun–Thu and 11 PM–6 AM Fri–Sat (City Code Ch. 21, Art. III). Residential cap 63 dB(A) day / 56 dB(A) night at the receiving property; amplified sound without permit 55/50. Fines $100–$500 standard, up to $2,000 willful.
San Antonio Noise Ordinance: Quiet Hours 10 PM–6 AM
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code § 42.01
(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(3) creates, by chemical means, ...
Construction Hours
San Antonio amended its construction noise ordinance in February 2022 (the 'Goodnight Construction Site' ordinance). Exterior construction is limited to 6 AM–10 PM Sun–Thu and 6 AM–11 PM Fri–Sat, with an 80 dBA construction noise limit. After-hours work requires a waiver with 72-hour neighbor notice.
San Antonio Construction Noise Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsSan Antonio City Code Ch. 21 Sec. 21-52(a)(6) and Ch. 10 Sec. 10-6(o); DSD Information Bulletin 244
Sound Level: The sound level at or across the real property line of the parcel containing the construction shall never exceed 80dBA during approved construction work hours. Approved Construction Times: Construction is approved between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Construction is not...
Barking Dogs
San Antonio makes barking a public nuisance under Chapter 5. An animal noise nuisance means two recorded events in 24 hours where a dog is heard continuously for 20 minutes at 100 yards or through a wall.
San Antonio Barking Dog Rules: Animal Noise Nuisance Defined
Some RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances § 5-150(2)
The owner or keeper shall not allow animals being held on their property to create a noise disturbance in such a manner, to annoy, distress or disturb within the vicinity of hearing thereof. For the purpose of this chapter, an animal noise nuisance shall be defined as a minimum of two (2) separate recorded noise events over a period of twenty-four (24) hours where the animal can be heard contin...
Leaf Blower Rules
San Antonio has not banned gas-powered leaf blowers and likely cannot enforce one because Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 382 reserves air-quality regulation to the state, while HB 4 Regulatory Consistency further limits municipal authority over equipment.
Texas Preemption Blocks San Antonio Gas Blower Ban
Few RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 382.113
Sec. 382.113. AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPALITIES. (a) Subject to Section 381.002, a municipality has the powers and rights as are otherwise vested by law in the municipality to: (1) abate a nuisance; and (2) enact and enforce an ordinance for the control and abatement of air pollution, or any other ordinance, not inconsistent with this chapter or the commission's rules or orders. (b) An ordinance enac...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
San Antonio treats amplified music and sound equipment as a noise nuisance under City Code Sec. 21-52(a)(1) whenever it disturbs a person of reasonable sensibilities, and backs that standard with hard decibel caps measured at the property line: 63 dBA on residential land, 70 dBA on business land, 72 dBA on industrial land, and 85 dBA Leq in entertainment districts.
San Antonio Amplified Sound and Music Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 21-52(a)(1), (9)-(12)
(1)The playing or permitting or causing the playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, juke box, nickelodeon, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound. ... (9)The making of noise which exceeds sixty-three (63) decibels on residential zoned property as defined by chapter 35 (Unified Development Code), when measured from propert...
Aircraft Noise
San Antonio does not cap aircraft noise by decibel; instead the aviation department's Chapter 3 code sets a formal complaint channel. Residents can report aircraft noise from San Antonio International Airport operations in person, by phone, by email, or through the department's online feedback form.
San Antonio Aircraft Noise Complaint Process
Light RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 3-98
Sec. 3-98. - Noise complaints. (a)Noise complaints related to San Antonio International Airport aircraft and airport operations may be filed in person, by telephone, by email, or by filling out the online complaint form located on the aviation department's website, feedback link at http://www.sanantonio.gov/SAT/About/Feedback.aspx.(b)In the complaint, the submitter shall provide:(1)The date of ...
Decibel Limits
San Antonio regulates industrial noise under Chapter 21, Article III of the Code of Ordinances. Industrial zones have maximum permissible sound levels of 72 dB(A) daytime and 65 dB(A) nighttime at the property boundary. The nighttime limit is 7 dB lower than daytime across all zone categories. Violations carry fines of $100 to $2,000 per offense.
San Antonio Industrial & Commercial Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsTex. Penal Code § 42.01
(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:(1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;(3) creates, by chemical means, ...
Vehicle Noise
San Antonio bans car stereos and vehicle sound systems audible 30 feet or more from the vehicle, or felt as vibration outside it, under City Code Sec. 21-54, with no intent requirement. A separate rule, Sec. 21-52(a)(5), requires every vehicle exhaust to run through a muffler that prevents loud or explosive noise.
San Antonio Car Stereo and Muffler Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 21-54; Sec. 21-52(a)(5)
It shall be unlawful for any person operating or controlling a motor vehicle in either a public or private place within the city to operate any sound amplifier which is part of, or connected to, any radio, stereo receiver, compact disc player, cassette player, or other similar device in the motor vehicle, in such a manner that, when operated, is audible at a distance of thirty (30) or more feet...
Looking for Bexar County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Antonio city rules.
Noise Ordinances in Bexar County →