10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Shelby County Code Chapter 16, Article III governs noise in unincorporated Shelby County. Sec. 16-61 bans any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise 24/7, and Sec. 16-63 sets an amplified-sound quiet window of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Shelby County Code § 16-61
The creating of any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise is prohibited. Any noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual or in disturbance of the public peace and welfare is prohibited except as hereinafter provided.
Shelby County Code Chapter 16, Article III sets no fixed construction-hours curfew for unincorporated Shelby County. Construction noise is governed by the general Sec. 16-61 ban on unreasonably loud, unnecessary noise, with a narrow exemption for nighttime public roadwork.
Shelby County Code § 16-66(2)
None of the terms or prohibitions of this article shall apply to or be enforced against: … (2) Excavations or repairs of bridges, streets, or highways by or on behalf of the city, county or state during the night, when the public welfare and convenience render it impossible or unreasonable to perform such work during the day.
Shelby County Code Sec. 16-64 prohibits keeping any animal that, by frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person nearby. It applies in unincorporated Shelby County and is enforced by fine under Sec. 16-67.
Shelby County Code § 16-64
The keeping of any animal which, by causing frequent or long continued noise, shall disturb the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity is hereby prohibited.
Shelby County Code Chapter 16, Article III has no leaf-blower-specific rule for unincorporated Shelby County. Leaf-blower noise is regulated only under the general Sec. 16-61 ban on unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise.
Shelby County Code Sec. 16-63 restricts radios, instruments, loudspeakers and other amplified sound devices, especially between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when they disturb residents or nearby persons in unincorporated Shelby County.
Shelby County Code § 16-63
The playing of any radio, phonograph, or any musical instrument or sound device, including … loudspeakers or other devices for reproduction or amplification of sound … particularly during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons … is hereby prohibited.
Aircraft noise over Shelby County, including Memphis International Airport, is regulated by the FAA under federal law, not the county noise ordinance. Chapter 16, Article III governs ground noise only.
Shelby County Code Chapter 16, Article III has no industry-specific decibel standard. Industrial and commercial noise in unincorporated Shelby County is governed by the general Sec. 16-61 ban and the Sec. 16-69 legitimate-business allowance.
Shelby County Code § 16-69
This article is not intended to prohibit engagement in any legitimate business activities so long as such activities do not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of surrounding residential and commercial areas.
Shelby County's only numeric decibel limits are the motor-vehicle dB(A) ceilings in Sec. 24-368. The general noise ban in Chapter 16, Article III uses a reasonableness standard rather than ambient decibel tables.
Shelby County Code § 24-368(b), Table I
TABLE I. LIMITING NOISE LEVELS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES … Passenger cars: Measured at 50 feet …78 … Measured at 25 feet …84 … Trucks and buses over 10,000 pounds: Measured at 50 feet …87 … Motorcycles, go-carts, trail bikes … 87.
Outdoor music in unincorporated Shelby County falls under Chapter 16, Article III. Sec. 16-63 limits amplified sound, especially 11 p.m.–7 a.m., while Sec. 16-66 exempts noncommercial public addresses and certain election-day sound trucks.
Shelby County Code § 16-66(3)
None of the terms or prohibitions of this article shall apply to … (3) The reasonable use of amplifiers or loudspeakers in the course of public addresses which are noncommercial in character.
Shelby County Code Sec. 24-368 sets dB(A) limits for motor vehicles in the county, and Sec. 16-65 bans using any vehicle so as to cause loud, unnecessary noise. Passenger cars are capped at 78 dB(A) at 50 feet.
Shelby County Code § 24-368(b)
It shall be unlawful to operate … a motorized vehicle … which creates a noise or sound which exceeds the noise level limits set out in Table I: … Passenger cars: Measured at 50 feet …78 … Trucks and buses over 10,000 pounds: Measured at 50 feet …87 … Motorcycles … 87.
1 cities in Shelby County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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