8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Bexar County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Bexar County has NO noise ordinance — Texas counties lack the police power to enact one. Unincorporated noise complaints fall back to Texas Penal Code §42.01(a)(5) disorderly conduct, which requires noise over 85 dB after a peace-officer warning. The Bexar County Sheriff handles calls; Code Compliance does not enforce sound.
Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct - 85 dB Presumption)
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 ... 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 noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 after the person ...
Bexar County has no barking dog ordinance — Texas counties cannot enact animal noise regulations. Only state disorderly conduct law applies. Bexar County Sheriff handles complaints in unincorporated areas.
Texas 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: ... (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...
Unincorporated Bexar County has no leaf blower ordinance; use is limited only by TX Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct. San Antonio and other cities impose their own hour rules.
Texas 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: ... (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place ... 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 noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 after the person making the noise receives notice f...
Unincorporated Bexar County relies on TX Penal Code 42.01, which treats sound audible more than 30 feet from a vehicle as presumptively unreasonable. San Antonio Chapter 21 adds permits.
Aircraft noise over Bexar County, including JBSA military flights and San Antonio International traffic, is federally preempted under 49 U.S.C. 40103. Neither county nor city can restrict flights.
Industrial noise in unincorporated Bexar County is regulated by TX Penal Code 42.01, TCEQ nuisance rule 30 TAC 101.4, and OSHA workplace standards. The county cannot set dBA limits.
Tex. 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...
Unincorporated Bexar County sets no dBA limits since Texas counties lack zoning power. San Antonio Chapter 21 uses ~63 dBA daytime and ~56 dBA nighttime at residential property lines.
Texas Transportation Code Secs. 547.501, 547.604 (Vehicle Noise/Muffler)
Sec. 547.604. MUFFLER REQUIRED. (a) A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler in good working condition that continually operates to prevent excessive or unusual noise. (b) A person may not use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device on a motor vehicle. Sec. 547.501. AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICES. ... (d) A warning device, including a horn, may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound ...
Unincorporated Bexar County has no outdoor music permit system; events rely on TX Penal Code 42.01. San Antonio requires amplified sound permits with a 10 PM weeknight cutoff.
4 cities in Bexar County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
9 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
9 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
9 verified rules • Aircraft Noise, Amplified Music & Events
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