10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Brazoria County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Texas counties can't zone or pass noise ordinances, so unincorporated Brazoria County has no quiet hours. Only state law applies there. Inside Pearland, any loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise offensive to a reasonable person is unlawful, and motorized yard equipment is barred 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
Pearland Code Sec. 19-2
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly make, cause to be made or allow any loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise in the city which is offensive to the sensibilities of a reasonable and prudent person, so that it renders the enjoyment of life or property uncomfortable, or interferes with the public peace and comfort.
Brazoria County can't zone, so it sets no construction-hour limits in unincorporated areas; state Penal Code Sec. 42.01 unreasonable-noise applies. Pearland's noise chapter has no dedicated construction curfew but bars motorized power equipment near homes 10 p.m.-7 a.m. and any noise offensive to a reasonable person.
Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.01(a)(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
Brazoria County has no barking-dog noise ordinance for unincorporated areas; the county's animal authority is limited to dangerous dogs and rabies. Inside Pearland, animal noise offensive to a reasonable and prudent person is an offense the pet owner can be cited for.
Pearland Code Sec. 19-4(1)
A person commits an offense by knowingly causing, permitting, or allowing noise of a frequency, volume, or any other nature so as to be offensive to or disturb the ordinary sensibilities of a reasonable and prudent person, from any of the following sources over which the person has control: (1) Animals
Brazoria County sets no leaf-blower or yard-equipment noise rules for unincorporated areas. Inside Pearland, motorized lawn equipment (mowers, edgers, trimmers, weed eaters, and blowers) cannot run between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. within 300 feet of any residential area.
Pearland Code Sec. 19-3(c)
The operation of motorized lawn mowing equipment, whether electric or fuel powered, including without limitation lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers, or weed eaters, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within three hundred (300) feet of any residential neighborhood or other area zoned residential.
Brazoria County sets no amplified-sound rule for unincorporated areas. In Pearland, operating any amplifying device on a public street requires a city permit, and amplified sound offensive to a reasonable person is otherwise an offense.
Pearland Code Sec. 19-26
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, any device on any public street, within the city without first securing a permit therefor.
Neither Brazoria County nor Pearland can regulate aircraft noise; the FAA preempts local control of flight operations and airspace. Texas law even exempts lawful space-flight noise from its disorderly-conduct statute, reflecting how little local authority exists here.
Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.01(g)
Noise arising from space flight activities, as defined by Section 100A.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, if lawfully conducted, does not constitute "unreasonable noise" for purposes of this section.
Brazoria County has no zoning, so it cannot separate industry from homes or set industrial-noise limits in unincorporated areas; state law is the only backstop. Pearland bars any noise detrimental to life or health and offensive power and pneumatic equipment noise.
Pearland Code Sec. 19-1
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly make or allow noise of such character, intensity or duration that is detrimental to the life or health of any individual in the city.
Neither Brazoria County nor Pearland sets numeric decibel limits by zone. The only decibel figure in Texas noise law is the state presumption: noise over 85 decibels is presumed unreasonable once a magistrate or officer has given notice it is a public nuisance.
Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.01(c)(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 from a magistrate or peace officer that the noise is a public nuisance.
Brazoria County cannot regulate outdoor music in unincorporated areas; state unreasonable-noise law applies. In Pearland, radios, stereos, and musical instruments that disturb a reasonable and prudent person are an offense, and amplified public-street events need a permit.
Pearland Code Sec. 19-4(2)
noise... offensive to or disturb the ordinary sensibilities of a reasonable and prudent person, from any of the following sources... (2) Radios, television sets, musical instruments and similar devices: Any radio receiver set, musical instrument, television, phonograph, stereo, or similar device.
Brazoria County sets no vehicle-noise ordinance; loud exhaust and mufflers are governed by state Transportation Code, and unreasonable noise by Penal Code Sec. 42.01. In Pearland, a vehicle-mounted loudspeaker audible 50 feet from its source is an offense.
Pearland Code Sec. 19-3(a)
Operate or permit to be operated any loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment in a fixed or movable position mounted on or in any vehicle in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, park, or other public property so that the sound is plainly audible for fifty (50) feet from its source.
1 cities in Brazoria County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Brazoria County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Brazoria County Ordinance Hub →