Summer Noise Ordinance Quiet Hours by City (2026)

When Do Noise Restrictions Start?

562 locations9 strict481 moderate12 permissive

Find the rules for your area:

Compare quiet hours and noise curfews across U.S. cities. Find out when loud music, lawn mowing, and parties must stop in your area.

The table below breaks down the rules across 49 states and 562 cities and counties. Every entry is based on the actual municipal code for that location, not a guess or a generic template. Click any location to see the full ordinance details, including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.

Rules by State

Each state is colored by the most common local rule. Click a state to see the cities and counties we cover there.

State	Locations	Strict	Moderate	Permissive	Overall
California	124	1	123	-	Some Restrictions
Florida	68	1	67	-	Some Restrictions
Texas	45	-	35	10	Some Restrictions
Illinois	32	1	30	1	Some Restrictions
Washington	29	-	29	-	Some Restrictions
North Carolina	28	1	27	-	Some Restrictions
Georgia	26	-	26	-	Some Restrictions
Massachusetts	23	3	19	1	Some Restrictions
Michigan	21	-	21	-	Some Restrictions
Ohio	20	-	20	-	Some Restrictions
Virginia	20	-	20	-	Some Restrictions
New York	19	-	19	-	Some Restrictions
Colorado	18	-	18	-	Some Restrictions
New Jersey	18	1	17	-	Some Restrictions
Wisconsin	18	-	18	-	Some Restrictions
Arizona	16	-	16	-	Some Restrictions
Missouri	14	-	14	-	Some Restrictions
South Carolina	14	-	14	-	Some Restrictions
Pennsylvania	13	1	12	-	Some Restrictions
Oregon	12	-	12	-	Some Restrictions
Louisiana	11	-	11	-	Some Restrictions
Maryland	10	-	10	-	Some Restrictions
Utah	10	-	10	-	Some Restrictions
Connecticut	9	-	9	-	Some Restrictions
Indiana	9	-	9	-	Some Restrictions
Tennessee	9	-	9	-	Some Restrictions
Alabama	8	-	8	-	Some Restrictions
Minnesota	8	-	8	-	Some Restrictions
Idaho	7	-	7	-	Some Restrictions
Iowa	7	1	6	-	Some Restrictions
Kansas	7	-	7	-	Some Restrictions
Nevada	7	-	7	-	Some Restrictions
Arkansas	5	-	5	-	Some Restrictions
New Mexico	5	-	5	-	Some Restrictions
Oklahoma	5	-	5	-	Some Restrictions
Delaware	3	-	3	-	Some Restrictions
Nebraska	3	-	3	-	Some Restrictions
New Hampshire	3	-	3	-	Some Restrictions
Rhode Island	3	-	3	-	Some Restrictions
Alaska	2	-	2	-	Some Restrictions
Hawaii	2	-	2	-	Some Restrictions
Mississippi	2	-	2	-	Some Restrictions
West Virginia	2	-	2	-	Some Restrictions
District of Columbia	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
Kentucky	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
Maine	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
Montana	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
North Dakota	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
South Dakota	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions

How Cities Compare

These rankings are based on verified municipal code data, not opinion. A "strict" rating means the city has heavy restrictions, high fines, or outright bans. "Permissive" means few or no local restrictions beyond state law.

Most Restrictive

1
Allentown, PA
Allentown does not use a single blanket curfew; instead Article 710 (Chapter 400, Noise Control) sets maximum permissible dBA sound levels by receiving land use, with sharply lower limits between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. Residential zones drop to 52 dBA at night, and exceeding the table is a noise disturbance.
2
Des Plaines, IL10:00 P.M. - 7:00 A.M.
Des Plaines City Code 6-2-7(E)(3) sets quiet hours from 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. on weeknights, and from 11:00 P.M. to 10:00 A.M. before Saturdays, Sundays, and official city holidays. During quiet hours, sound crossing a lot line above 50 dBA (or 40 dBA inside another structure) is excessive noise.
3
Johnson County, IA10 PM to 7 AM typical
Iowa City enforces its noise ordinance and a well-known disorderly house rule aimed at loud student rentals near campus. Overnight noise disturbances draw police citations, and repeat nuisance parties carry civil penalties of $750 or more.
4
Somerville, MA11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Somerville enforces nighttime quiet hours under its noise control ordinance, restricting loud sounds audible at property lines during late-night and early-morning periods across this densely populated Boston-metro city.
5
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops to 40 dB(A) from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (45 dB(A) in the 6 PM-10 PM evening band, 50 dB(A) daytime).
6
Atlantic County, NJ
New Jersey's state noise code, N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.2, caps nighttime sound at 50 dBA at any residential property line from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Every Atlantic County municipality enforces this floor and shore towns set stricter local hours.
7
Orange County, NC11 p.m., midnight weekends
Orange County's unincorporated noise ordinance caps residential sound at 55 dBA daytime and 50 dBA at night. Chapel Hill's own code is stricter at 50/45 dBA, backed by an aggressive student-party enforcement regime near UNC.
8
Bishop, CA
Bishop bans any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that injures the health, peace or safety of others. Construction is expressly allowed only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., so nighttime is the city's protected quiet window.
9
Brookline, MA
Brookline regulates noise under General By-Laws Article 8.15 (Noise Control). The bylaw prohibits Noise Pollution, defined as sound exceeding the Background Noise Level. Nighttime fixed-equipment operation must not exceed daytime background levels minus 10 dBA.

Fewest Restrictions

1
Winnebago County, ILNone set countywide
Winnebago County has no county-wide noise ordinance with fixed quiet hours for unincorporated areas. State law (720 ILCS 5/26-1 disorderly conduct) and Illinois Environmental Protection Act noise rules (35 Ill. Adm. Code Part 900) apply. Rockford and other cities set their own quiet-hour windows.
2
Hidalgo County, TXNone countywide
Hidalgo County has no general noise ordinance and no fixed quiet hours for its unincorporated Rio Grande Valley areas. Under Texas law counties cannot set countywide dBA curfews, so late-night noise outside city limits is handled by the state disorderly-conduct statute, not a county curfew.
3
Fort Bend County, TXNone set
Fort Bend County has NO quiet-hours ordinance in unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack the police power to enact one (Local Gov't Code Ch. 233). Enforcement falls back to Texas Penal Code §42.01(a)(5) disorderly conduct for unreasonable noise. Cities inside the county (Sugar Land, Missouri City) DO have their own rules.
4
Tarrant County, TXUp to $500 (Class C)
Tarrant County has no county noise ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack zoning authority and cannot enact noise regulations. Noise complaints are handled under Texas Penal Code §42.01 (Disorderly Conduct) by the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office.
5
Bexar County, TX
Bexar County has NO noise ordinance. Texas counties lack the police power to enact one. Unincorporated noise complaints fall back to Texas Penal Code §42.01(a)(5) disorderly conduct, which requires noise over 85 dB after a peace-officer warning. The Bexar County Sheriff handles calls; Code Compliance does not enforce sound.
6
Denton County, TXUp to $500 (Class C)
Denton County has no county noise ordinance or designated quiet hours for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general zoning and noise-regulation authority under state law. Noise complaints are handled solely under Texas Penal Code 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct) by the Denton County Sheriff.
7
Collin County, TXUp to 500 dollars
Unincorporated Collin County has no numeric quiet hours or decibel ordinance. TX Penal Code 42.01(a)(5) disorderly conduct applies to unreasonable noise between 10 PM and 7 AM, enforced by Collin County Sheriff. Most residents live within Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, or Richardson city limits where municipal noise codes apply.
8
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County, MA does not have a county-level noise ordinance. Massachusetts counties have extremely limited regulatory authority; noise rules are set by each individual city or town. Residents must follow their municipality's ordinance.
9
Richmond, TX
Richmond does not publish a code section setting numeric residential quiet hours. Loud noise complaints are addressed through Chapter 22 (Nuisances) and Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.01 (Disorderly Conduct), which presumes noise unreasonable above 85 dB after a peace officer's warning.
10
Amarillo, TX
Amarillo does not have a city noise ordinance. The city relies on the Texas Penal Code, which treats unreasonable noise as disorderly conduct. Noise is presumed unreasonable if it exceeds 85 decibels after a peace officer has given notice that the noise is a public nuisance.

All 562 Locations

Every city and county below has verified ordinance data for this topic. Click any location for the full breakdown including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions come from the most common things people ask about this topic across different cities.

What are the quiet hours in unincorporated Contra Costa County?

There are none. The County Ordinance Code has no noise chapter and sets no residential quiet hours or decibel limits. The only codified hours apply to "events" under Chapter 82-44, outdoor gatherings of more than 75 people in a residential or agricultural district or at a residence, where amplified sound must stop at 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and holidays.

Who do I call about a loud party at 11 p.m.?

The Sheriff's Office. Non-emergency dispatch is (925) 646-2441; call 911 if anyone is in danger. Deputies act under Penal Code § 415, which covers anyone who "maliciously and willfully disturbs another person by loud and unreasonable noise." Code Enforcement does not respond to noise calls.

Does county Code Enforcement handle noise complaints?

No. The DCD Code Enforcement Program at 30 Muir Road, Martinez (925-655-2710) enforces the building and zoning ordinances: work without permits, unsecured buildings, junk and debris, livestock on land not zoned for it. It does not take over chronic noise problems. Noise is a Sheriff's matter, except that a permitted temporary event can be monitored by code enforcement officials for compliance with its permit conditions under § 82-44.418.

Do quiet hours apply to barking dogs?

There are no quiet hours, but barking is covered separately. Under the county's Noisy Animal Ordinance, § 416-12.202, it is unlawful to keep an animal that makes noise for an extended period and disturbs any person, at any hour. Complaints go to Contra Costa Animal Services, not the Sheriff or Code Enforcement.

Is the county adopting a noise ordinance?

It has been studying one since March 5, 2024, when the Board of Supervisors authorized DCD to evaluate "whether additional regulation of noise is necessary and practical" (File 24-0696). DCD surveyed the Municipal Advisory Councils through July 31, 2024 and convened a task force in the fall of 2024. No ordinance had been adopted as of August 2026.

What are the official quiet hours in Stafford, TX?

Stafford does not publish a numbered 'quiet hours' table on its city website. Noise complaints are handled under Texas Penal Code §42.01 (unreasonable noise: a Class C misdemeanor) and the city's general nuisance and code-compliance authority. As a practical matter, sound that is plainly audible inside a neighboring home late at night will draw a police response under §42.01, and amplified outdoor sound without a city Sound Permit can be shut down at any hour. For an active disturbance, call Stafford PD non-emergency at 281-261-3950; for ongoing problems, call Code Compliance at 281-261-3944.

Do I need a permit for an outdoor party with a DJ in Stafford?

Stafford requires a Sound Permit for events using amplified sound or public-address systems, and the city reserves the right to revoke the permit and order shutdown if the event becomes a nuisance. The application is processed through the city's police/court side of operations. Apply well in advance, list the start and end times you want covered, and confirm any HOA or venue rules that may impose tighter limits than the city permit.

What can I do about a barking dog or chronic mechanical noise next door?

These complaints fall under Stafford's general nuisance and animal-control authority rather than a numbered noise ordinance. File a complaint with Stafford General Code Compliance at 281-261-3944 (2610 S. Main Street). For an active, ongoing disturbance, especially at night, Stafford PD non-emergency at 281-261-3950 can also respond and document the disturbance, which builds the record for any later abatement action by the city.