Burleson, TX Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Sunday to Thursday, Old Town C.C.
- 80 dBA day, 70 dBA night (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.)
- Friday and Saturday, Old Town C.C.
- 85 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. the next day
- After 2:00 a.m.
- 70 dBA from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Measurement
- At least 30 seconds, at the complainant's property line
- Restaurant amplified sound
- 70 dBA or 75 dBC at the property perimeter
- Maximum fine
- $2,000.00 per event or violation
Summary
In the City of Burleson, Texas, the Old Town (OT) overlay district zoned C.C. central commercial runs 80 dBA by day and 70 dBA at night Sunday through Thursday, and 85 dBA until 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Restaurants that cut amplified sound at set hours and 70 dBA or 75 dBC at the property perimeter are excepted.
In the Old Town (OT) overlay district the area zoned C.C. (central commercial): Sunday—Thursday Daytime: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.: equal to or less than 80 dBA Nighttime: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.: equal to or less than 70 dBA Friday—Saturday Daytime: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. the following day: equal to or less than 85 dBA Nighttime and Sunday: 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.: equal to or less than 70 dBA ... (2) A restaurant, as defined by Alcoholic Beverage Code § 1.04, as may be amended from time to time, that limits the use of amplified sound for playing music or amplifying human speech within the establishment's indoor or outside property boundaries to ensure: a. The amplified sound is not used after 10:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and b. The amplified sound level does not exceed 70 dBA or 75 dBC when measured at the establishment's property perimeter, excluding traffic and other background noise that can be reasonably excluded.
Full Breakdown
Section 34-191(c)(1) of the Burleson Code of Ordinances sets presumptive sound limits by zoning district, and the Old Town (OT) overlay district area zoned C.C. (central commercial) has its own schedule. Sunday through Thursday the limit is equal to or less than 80 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 70 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. On Friday and Saturday the daytime window runs from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. the following day at 85 dBA, and from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. the limit drops to 70 dBA. A reading above the limit at the complainant's bounding real property line is prima facie evidence sufficient to establish a public nuisance.
Measurement follows § 34-191(c)(2): a minimum of 30 seconds, taken from the complainant's property line, with the highest registered reading deciding the violation and all ambient noise included. Where residential districts adjoin other districts, other than industrial, the residential levels apply when measured from a residential complainant's property line. Where ambient noise already exceeds the prescribed maximum, the limit becomes existing ambient plus 3 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and existing ambient from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
The decibel table is not the only test. Section 34-191(d)(1) bars unreasonable noise that disturbs a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities, and a decibel level is not required to enforce it. Subsection (d)(2)d separately bars playing music so loud, particularly during the nighttime hours, as to disturb persons in any dwelling, hotel or other residence.
Subsection (i)(2) excepts a restaurant, as defined by Alcoholic Beverage Code § 1.04, that limits amplified music and amplified speech so that it is not used after 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and does not exceed 70 dBA or 75 dBC at the establishment's property perimeter. Under (i)(3) that exception does not apply to a food service establishment located within 300 feet of a residence that was occupied before any food service establishment was located on the property.
Violations & Fines
Under § 34-191(h), making noise in violation of the section is an offense punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000.00 for each event or violation, and each day a violation occurs or continues is a separate offense. A violation is also a nuisance, so the city can pursue injunctive or other civil relief in addition to prosecution. The city manager or designee, any city code officer or any police officer enforces it, and a witness can submit a sworn statement with supporting documentation for municipal prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How late can a venue in Old Town Burleson be loud?
How does the City of Burleson measure a noise complaint?
Is there an exception for restaurants with live or amplified music?
Can I be cited for noise below the decibel limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burleson
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Burleson to another location·View the Texas noise from specific sources overview
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