Noise Ordinances in Santa Fe, NM (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for Santa Fe, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., Santa Fe bars running a radio, TV, musical instrument, phonograph or similar device in a way that's plainly audible at the source property's boundary. Section 10-2.4(B)(3) SFCC 1987 also flags sound audible 50 feet from a parked vehicle, or through shared walls between two occupants, as a violation.
Santa Fe Nighttime Noise Curfew Rule
Some RestrictionsSFCC 1987 § 10-2.4(B)(3)
(3) Using, operating or permitting the use or operation of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, television, phonograph, drum or other machine or device for the production or reproduction of sound, except as provided for in subparagraph (4) below:(a) Which violates the zone district noise levels set out in subsection 10-2.5, or causes a noise disturbance; (b) Between the hours of 9:00 p....
Construction Hours
Santa Fe bars construction, repair, alteration and demolition equipment from running between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. in residential and commercial zones under Section 10-2.4(B)(5) SFCC 1987. In other areas of the city, construction noise must stay within the industrial sound limits of Section 10-2.5 at any hour.
Santa Fe Construction Noise Hours Limit
Some RestrictionsSFCC 1987 § 10-2.4(B)(5)
(5) Operating, or causing to be used or operated, any equipment used in construction, repair, alteration or demolition work on buildings, structures, streets, alleys or appurtenances thereto: (a) In residential or commercial zone areas between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the following day; and (b) In any other areas of the city where such operation exceeds the sound level limits for an...
Barking Dogs
Santa Fe makes it unlawful to own or keep an animal that "habitually howls, yelps, whines, barks, or makes other noises" and unreasonably disturbs the peace. Enforcement runs through a written complaint process at animal services, with escalating civil citations starting only after a third repeat complaint about the same animal.
Santa Fe Cites Habitually Barking Dogs as a Nuisance
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code (SFCC 1987) § 5-7.5
It is unlawful for anyone to own, keep, or harbor any animal that habitually howls, yelps, whines, barks, or makes other noises in a manner which tends to disturb the public peace unreasonably. ... All complaints filed pursuant to this section shall be made at the animal services office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or to an animal services officer in the field. Complaints shal...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Santa Fe bars anyone from running a loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment on a street, sidewalk, park or other public property for advertising, speeches or music unless a noise permit under Section 10-2.8 SFCC 1987 is obtained first. Section 10-2.4(B)(4) treats unpermitted amplified sound that violates the zone noise limits or causes a disturbance as a misdemeanor.
Santa Fe Loudspeaker and Amplified Sound Permit
Significant RestrictionsSFCC 1987 § 10-2.4(B)(4)
(4) Using or operating a loudspeaker or sound amplifying equipment in a fixed or movable position or mounted upon any sound vehicle in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, park, place or public property for the purpose of commercial advertising, giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, lectures, or transmitting music to any persons or assemblages of persons in a manner which violates ...
Decibel Limits
Santa Fe caps stationary noise by zone and time of day: 50 dBA overnight and 55 dBA daytime in residential zones, rising to 70/75 dBA in industrial-agricultural zones. The city manager's designee measures at the property line under Code Section 10-2.5.
Santa Fe Zone-District Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code (SFCC 1987) Section 10-2.5
It is a violation of this section for any person to operate or permit to be operated any stationary source of sound in such a manner as to create a ninetieth percentile sound pressure level (L90) for a measurement period of ten (10) minutes or more unless otherwise provided in this section, which exceeds the limits set forth for the following receiving zones... Residential 50 dBA [9:00 p.m. to ...
Vehicle Noise
Santa Fe requires every motor vehicle to run a working muffler that prevents excessive noise and bans cutouts, bypasses, and baffle-less straight pipes under City Code Section 12-10-1.10. Even a factory-installed exhaust option violates the rule if it exceeds the decibel level set in the city's noise chapter, Section 10-2.9.
Santa Fe Vehicle Muffler and Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code § 12-10-1.10
A.Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, muffler bypass, straight-through mufflers that do not contain baffles (including but not limited to glass packs, steel packs, and straight pipes), or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a street in...