Noise Ordinances in Washoe County, NV (2026)
8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washoe County, Nevada.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Unincorporated Washoe County has no clock-based quiet-hours rule. Instead its Development Code caps day-night average sound (Ldn) at the property line and adds a 10 dB penalty to noise made between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., effectively tightening nighttime limits.
Washoe County noise: nighttime Ldn penalty, no fixed quiet hours
Some RestrictionsWCC 110.414.10(a)
An additional 10 dB weighting shall be imposed on the sound levels occurring during nighttime hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) to determine the day-night average sound level (Ldn).
Construction Hours
Washoe County does not restrict construction work hours, but temporary construction, repair or demolition noise is exempt from the Development Code's noise limits only when it occurs between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday. Outside that window the noise standards apply.
Construction noise exempt 7 a.m.-7 p.m. except Sunday
Some RestrictionsWCC 110.414.20(c)
The following sources of noise are exempt from the regulations of this article: ... Temporary construction, repair or demolition activities occurring between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday.
Barking Dogs
In Washoe County it is unlawful to keep, harbor or own any animal that by making loud and frequent noises causes annoyance to the neighborhood or nearby persons. Washoe County Regional Animal Services enforces this and can issue a civil penalty to the owner.
Barking dogs: loud, frequent noise unlawful under WCC 55.125
Some RestrictionsWCC 55.125
Except as provided in NRS 40.140, it is unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or own any animal which by making loud and frequent noises causes annoyance to the neighborhood or to any persons in the vicinity.
Leaf Blower Rules
Washoe County has no dedicated leaf-blower ordinance for unincorporated areas. Gas leaf blowers are treated like any other noise source and must not push day-night average sound (Ldn) above the Development Code's property-line limits, with a 10 dB penalty for nighttime use (10 p.m.-7 a.m.).
No county leaf-blower ordinance; general Ldn limits apply
Some RestrictionsWCC 110.414.05(b)
Residential Abutment. For property abutting areas developed residentially, or shown as residential on the area plan maps: sixty-five (65) Ldn at the property line.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Outdoor music and events in unincorporated Washoe County have no dedicated ordinance. They are measured against the Development Code's property-line day-night sound (Ldn) limits, 65 Ldn abutting residential, with a 10 dB penalty for any sound made between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Outdoor music judged by 24-hour property-line Ldn limits
Some RestrictionsWCC 110.414.20(d)
Any use approved through a variance that specifically reviewed the issue of noise created by the use [is exempt from the regulations of this article].
Aircraft Noise
Washoe County's Development Code addresses aircraft noise through land-use compatibility. Development within airport noise contours must conform to Federal Aviation Regulation Part 150 land-use guidelines, and building permits in those areas require dedicating an avigation easement to the Airport Authority of Washoe County.
Airport noise: FAR Part 150 land-use compatibility, avigation easements
Some RestrictionsWCC 110.414.15
All development proposed within the noise contours established for any airport by the Airport Authority of Washoe County shall conform to the Federal Aviation Regulation, Part 150, Land Use Compatibility Guidelines.
Decibel Limits
Washoe County's Development Code sets day-night average sound (Ldn) limits measured at the property line: 65 Ldn abutting residential, parks, schools or hospitals, and 75 Ldn in industrial zones, plus a 65 dB cap near highways and railroads. Nighttime noise carries a 10 dB penalty.
Washoe County decibel limits: 65 Ldn residential, 75 Ldn industrial
Some RestrictionsWCC 110.414.05(a)-(b)
Industrial Development. For property being developed within any industrial zone: seventy-five (75) Ldn at the property line. Residential Abutment. For property abutting areas developed residentially ... sixty-five (65) Ldn at the property line.
Vehicle Noise
Nevada state law, not county code, governs vehicle noise. Every motor vehicle must have a muffler in good working order and constant operation, and no one may use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device on a vehicle on a highway. Washoe County's noise code exempts moving vehicles.
Vehicle noise: NRS requires working muffler, no cutouts
Some RestrictionsNRS 484D.415(1)
Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent emissions greater than those allowed by rules and regulations established by the Department. No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.
Noise Ordinances by City in Washoe County
1 cities in Washoe County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Washoe County ordinances
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