Lexington, KY Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Loading/unloading noise
- barred 11pm–7am
- Covered items
- boxes, crates, containers, materials, cans
- Refuse trucks
- get a separate 11pm–5:30am rule
- Legal standard
- disturbance across dwelling unit boundary
- Variance
- available via mayor's office (§14-74)
- First offense fine
- $50–$500 (§14-80)
Summary
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 14-72 bars loading, unloading, opening, closing or otherwise handling boxes, crates, containers, building materials or garbage cans between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. whenever the noise creates a disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, the provision that governs late-night delivery-truck and dumpster noise.
Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., prevailing local time, in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary.
Full Breakdown
m. It covers boxes, crates, containers, building materials and garbage cans, so it reaches everything from a grocery restocking a loading dock to a moving crew loading a truck outside an apartment building. if the noise disturbs a neighboring dwelling unit, giving trash trucks an extra 90 minutes of restricted time compared with ordinary deliveries. Businesses that need overnight deliveries for practical reasons have no built-in exception unless they secure a mayor-approved variance under § 14-74 by showing the hours restriction would cause an unwarranted economic hardship.
Urban county government officers investigate complaints the same way as any other noise clause, inspection under § 14-73, an abatement order under § 14-75, or a direct citation under § 14-76.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the loading/unloading clause carries a $50–$500 fine under § 14-80, increasing to $100–$500 for a second offense and $250–$500 for a third within twelve months. An officer may issue an abatement order under § 14-75 ordering the loading or unloading to stop immediately instead of writing a citation on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a delivery truck unload behind a restaurant at 3 a.m.?
Does this rule cover trash pickup too?
What if there's no nearby residence to disturb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington
Compare Lexington to another location·View the Kentucky noise from specific sources overview
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