Prescott Valley, AZ Noise from Specific Sources: Bar & Nightclub Noise (2026)

Town Code § 10-01-070(D) is the Town of Prescott Valley's standard for businesses whose noise reaches neighbors, and it applies to any noise within a commercial area, defined as the C1, C2 and C3 zoning districts. The section names no particular business type. Bars, nightclubs, restaurants with patios and entertainment venues in those districts fall under it, and Subsection C(1) separately lists restaurants, hotels, dance halls, shows and places of public amusement or entertainment. The Town states its policy as removing noise nuisances to protect surrounding residential areas, including those in the Prescott Valley Town Center Plan, while balancing the needs of businesses to operate effectively.

The test is measured at the complainant's home, not at the business. It is unlawful to create any noise (including, without limitation, amplified sound) within a commercial area that causes the noise level measured from the inside of a complainant's residential dwelling in a residential area to exceed the Table 1 community noise standards for more than fifteen (15) minutes. The reading is taken with all windows and doors of the dwelling closed, using a sound level meter verified and calibrated according to the manufacturer's specifications.

For dwellings in residential areas outside the Town Center Plan, Table 1 sets 50 dB(A) from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 60 dB(A) during the remaining hours. For dwellings in residential areas in the Prescott Valley Town Center Plan, the same overnight 50 dB(A) applies, while the daytime and evening limit is 75 dB(A). The later Friday and Saturday cutoff means the weekend 12:00 a.m. start applies to both nights.

Subsection E exempts parades, concerts, festivals, fairs and similar activities that remain within any sound limits approved by the Town, among other uses. The penalty subsection was amended 06/26/25.