Noise Ordinances in Waco, TX (2026)
5 verified noise ordinances for Waco, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Waco regulates noise under Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinances. The city prohibits unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of residents, with stricter enforcement during nighttime hours in residential zones.
Waco Quiet Hours & Noise Ordinance
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01(a)(5), (c)(2), (d) (Disorderly Conduct - Unreasonable Noise)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: ... (5) 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 ... (c) For purposes of this section: ... (2) a noise is presumed to be unreasonable if the no...
Construction Hours
Waco restricts construction noise in residential areas during nighttime and early morning hours. Construction activities generating loud noise are generally permitted during standard daytime hours, with permits required for work outside those windows.
Waco Construction Noise Hours
Light RestrictionsTex. Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct - Unreasonable Noise)
Sec. 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (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 p...
Barking Dogs
A dog that barks, whines, howls, or makes noise excessively and continuously enough to disturb a person of ordinary sensibilities is a nuisance animal under Section 5-96. An Animal Care Officer can order the owner to fix the problem, and neighbors within 600 feet can petition the Animal Welfare Board directly if the ACO does not act.
Waco Nuisance Animal Rule Covers Barking Dogs
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 5-96
(a)As used in this article, a nuisance animal shall be defined as any animal other than a bee or bee colony kept pursuant to section 5-97 which commits any of the following acts:(1)Molests or chases pedestrians, passersby, or passing vehicles, including bicycles;(2)Makes unprovoked attacks on other animals of any kind;(3)Is repeatedly at large;(4)Damages private or public property;(5)Defecates ...
Aircraft Noise
Waco's airport overlay district divides land around the airport into three noise contour rings, AO-1, AO-2, and AO-3, based on yearly day-night average sound level (Ldn) readings, and restricts which land uses are compatible in each ring to keep noise-sensitive development away from the loudest flight paths.
Waco Airport Noise Overlay Zones AO-1 Through AO-3
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 28-865
(a)Airport noise zones are established within the controlled compatible land use area for the purpose of regulating the development of noise sensitive land uses, to promote compatibility between the airport and surrounding land uses, and to protect the airport from incompatible encroachments.(b)Zones. The boundaries of said zones are established as shown in section 28-875, "Airport overlay zone...
Vehicle Noise
Waco bans amplified sound from equipment in or on a motor vehicle when it exceeds the citywide ceilings, 85 dBA daytime and 80 dBA nighttime on residential property, measured at or near 30 feet from the vehicle's nearest external point.
Waco vehicle sound-system noise limit: 85 dBA at 30 feet
Some RestrictionsWaco Code of Ordinances, ch. 16, art. VII, § 16-205 (Amplified sound from motor vehicle)
The production or reproduction of sound from amplification equipment contained in or mounted on a motor vehicle that produces sound in excess of the limits set forth in section 16-202, when measured at or near 30 feet from the nearest external point on the vehicle, or otherwise produces noises which are unreasonably loud, irritating, or disturbing, are hereby prohibited and declared to be unlaw...