10 rules for unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Verified from official government sources
Jefferson Parish's noise ordinance (Sec. 20-102) governs the unincorporated parish, including Metairie. It caps sound in residential areas near 60 dBA in daytime and 55 dBA at night (10 p.m.–6:59 a.m.), measured at the property line.
Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 20-102(f)(1)
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source from any location … in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth in Table 1 for the receiving land use category … when measured at or beyond the property boundary … from which the sound emanates.
Jefferson Parish exempts domestic power tools, lawnmowers, and similar equipment from the noise limits when properly muffled and used roughly 7 a.m.–9 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and 8 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Persistent barking or animal noise is handled as a noise nuisance under Sec. 20-102 and through the parish animal-control code (Chapter 7). There is no separate fixed decibel limit for dogs; the test is whether the noise unreasonably disturbs neighbors.
Jefferson Parish has no dedicated leaf-blower ordinance. Leaf blowers are treated as domestic power tools under the noise ordinance (Sec. 20-102), exempt when muffled and used within the daytime hours set for such equipment.
Under Sec. 20-102, operating a radio, stereo, instrument, or amplifier so that it is plainly audible at 50 feet between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. is prima facie evidence of a noise violation in the unincorporated parish.
Jefferson Parish does not set aircraft noise limits—aviation noise is preempted by federal law (FAA). The parish noise ordinance (Sec. 20-102) exempts aircraft in flight; noise concerns near Louis Armstrong (MSY) go to the airport and FAA.
Industrial and commercial noise is capped by Sec. 20-102(f) Table 1, which sets higher permissible decibel levels for those land-use categories than for residential, measured at the receiving property's boundary. River-activity noise is expressly covered.
Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 20-102(f)(1)
No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source from any location, including navigable waters located within the geographical limits of the parish, in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth in Table 1 for the receiving land use category for any measurement period.
Sec. 20-102(f) sets maximum permissible sound levels by receiving land-use category in Table 1, measured at the property boundary. Residential limits are reported at about 60 dBA by day and 55 dBA at night.
Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 20-102(f)
Maximum permissible sound limits. It shall be unlawful to make, cause to allow the making of any noise or sound which violates the provisions of this section … in such a manner as to create a sound level which exceeds the limits set forth in Table 1 for the receiving land use category for any measurement period.
Outdoor and live amplified music is governed by the same Sec. 20-102 limits: it must stay within Table 1 decibel levels by day and cannot be plainly audible at 50 feet during the 11 p.m.–7 a.m. restricted hours.
Jefferson Parish prohibits car sound systems that create a noise disturbance plainly audible 50 feet from the vehicle on any public right-of-way or public space. Fines start at $50 and rise for repeat offenses under Sec. 20-102.
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