10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Bell County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Texas counties can't set noise ordinances, so unincorporated Bell County has no quiet-hours rule. Inside Killeen, noise plainly audible to a neighbor during nighttime (11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.) is unlawful; Temple bars disturbing radios/instruments 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-77(b); Sec. 16-76
[A person may not] make noise or play a musical instrument or other equipment plainly audible to a nearby business or residence during the nighttime. [Nighttime shall mean the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.]
Neither Bell County nor its major cities set fixed construction-hour limits. Temple repealed its building-operations section in 2012, and Killeen's noise code exempts construction that cannot reasonably be done another way. Work must still avoid unreasonable-noise nuisance.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-80(a)(5)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to... [construction, reconstruction, remodeling, and rebuilding of any structure or place in conformity with applicable provisions of this code and state law] that cannot reasonably be done in an alternative manner, time, or place so as to otherwise comply with this article.
Unincorporated Bell County has no barking-dog noise ordinance. Killeen makes it unlawful to keep any animal or bird that makes 'frequent or long, continued noise,' and Temple prohibits animals whose noise disturbs neighbors of ordinary sensibilities.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-78(a)(3)
The keeping of any animal, fowl, or bird, which makes frequent or long, continued noise.
Neither Bell County nor Killeen or Temple has a leaf-blower-specific noise rule. Blowers are treated under the general noise-nuisance and decibel standards, so early-morning or late-night use can still draw a complaint.
The county sets no amplified-sound rule. Temple bans stationary loudspeakers or amplifiers on weekdays 10:30 p.m.-7:00 a.m. and all day Sunday; Killeen prohibits amplifiers, radios and PA systems that create an unreasonable noise nuisance.
Temple Code Sec. 24-4
The use of any stationary loudspeaker or amplifier of such intensity that annoys and disturbs persons of ordinary sensibilities in the immediate vicinity thereof, or the use of any stationary loudspeaker or amplifier operated on any week day between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time on Sunday, is hereby prohibited.
Aircraft noise, including Fort Cavazos military overflights, is regulated by the FAA and federal government, not Bell County or its cities. Killeen's noise code expressly excludes aircraft and transportation noise from measurement, and vehicle motors on runways are exempt.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-81(d)
Traffic, aircraft, and other transportation noise shall not be considered in taking measurements, except where such background noise interferes with the primary noise being measured.
Texas counties can't zone industry, so unincorporated Bell County has no industrial-noise ordinance. Killeen measures noise and vibration at the property line, prohibiting vibration above the perception threshold at or beyond the source's property.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-77(c)
[A person may not] operate, permit, or cause the operation of any device that creates vibration which is above the vibration perception threshold of an individual at or beyond the property of the source if on private property, or at fifty (50) feet from the source if in a public space or public right-of-way.
The county sets no decibel limit. Killeen caps noise at the property line at 3 dBA over ambient or 50 dBA (A-weighted), whichever is higher (60 dBA C-weighted). Statewide, noise over 85 dB can be presumed unreasonable after warning.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-79(a)
It shall be unlawful to create, generate, produce or emanate an unreasonable noise or noise nuisance when, using the A-weighted scale, fast response, it exceeds 3 decibels over the ambient noise, or a maximum of 50 decibels, whichever is higher, or using the C-weighted scale, fast response, it exceeds 5 decibels over the ambient noise, or a maximum of 60 decibels, whichever is higher.
No county rule governs outdoor music. Killeen prohibits gatherings whose cumulative noise unreasonably disturbs anyone within hearing range, and both cities apply nighttime and amplifier limits. Outside city limits, Texas Penal Code 42.01 covers loud parties near homes.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-78(a)(2)
The gathering, on public or private property, of any number of persons at any time, when the cumulative noise of the gathering, whether from human voices or other sources... causes unreasonable disturbance to any person or animal located within the range of hearing of such gathering.
The county has no vehicle-noise ordinance. Killeen requires exhaust to pass through a muffler that prevents loud noises and bars vehicles so out of repair they grate or rattle; Temple requires working mufflers and prohibits cut-outs.
Killeen Code Sec. 16-78(a)(5)
The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, automobile, truck, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle or boat, except through a muffler or other device which prevents loud or explosive noises therefrom.
1 cities in Bell County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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