Noise Ordinances in Shelby County, TN (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
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 Noise Ordinance and Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsShelby 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.
Construction Hours
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 Construction Noise Hours
Few RestrictionsShelby 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.
Barking Dogs
Shelby County Code Sec. 16-64 bans keeping any animal, dog, cat, fowl or otherwise, whose frequent or long-continued noise disturbs a neighbor's comfort or repose. It applies only in unincorporated Shelby County, not Memphis or the suburban towns. A first violation draws a fine up to fifty dollars under Sec. 16-67, and each day the barking continues is a separate offense.
Shelby County Barking Dog and Noisy Animal Law
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code §§ 16-64, 16-67, 16-68
Sec. 16-64. - Noisy animals and fowl. 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. (Code 1992, § 19-44; Ord. No. 168, § 1(4), 10-23-1995) ... Sec. 16-67. - Enforcement; fines. Violation of any section of this article is hereby declared to be unlawful and punishable by a fine ...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
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 Amplified Music and Sound Devices
Some RestrictionsShelby 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.
Decibel Limits
Unincorporated Shelby County sets no decibel-meter reading anywhere in its noise law. County Code Article III instead bans any "unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise" and separately targets amplified sound played loud enough to disturb neighbors between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Violators face a fine up to $50.00 per day, and repeat offenders face nuisance abatement.
Shelby County Noise Law: No Decibel Meter Standard
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code §§ 16-61--16-69 (Ch. 16, Art. III - Noise Regulations)
Sec. 16-61. - Loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises generally. 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. Sec. 16-63. - Playing of musical inst...
Vehicle Noise
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 Vehicle Noise and Decibel Limits
Heavy RestrictionsShelby 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.
Noise Ordinances by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shelby County ordinances
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