Harris County Engineering enforces construction-hour limits in unincorporated areas under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 and the county's nuisance abatement program. Heavy equipment near homes typically follows a seven AM to ten PM window with stricter Sunday and holiday limits in Houston ETJ.
Counties have limited noise authority under Texas law. Harris County Engineering and the Pollution Control Services Department use Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 (Public Health and Nuisance) to address construction equipment noise that interferes with sleep or health in unincorporated subdivisions. Typical practice limits jackhammers, pile drivers, and earth movers to seven AM through ten PM. Inside Houston, Code of Ordinances Chapter 30 restricts construction noise from eight PM to seven AM near residences. Pollution Control deputies measure decibels at the property line; sustained levels above 85 dBA at fifty feet are typically grounds for citation. Permitted projects (HCFCD, TxDOT) follow approved specifications.
Nuisance violations under Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500 per day, and repeat construction noise can be enjoined as a public nuisance under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 125.
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