New Braunfels, TX Noise from Specific Sources: HVAC & Mechanical Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Exemption threshold
- Under 85 dB(A) at ~15 feet
- Applies to
- Both residential and nonresidential property
- Governing section
- Sec. 82-9(e)(7)
- Measurement standard
- ANSI meter, 30-second minimum sample
- Fine range
- $100 first offense to $500 fourth+
Summary
Air conditioning units in New Braunfels are exempt from the city's noise nuisance ordinance only while they stay under 85 dB(A), measured at roughly 15 feet from the unit, on both residential and nonresidential property; a unit running louder than that loses the exemption entirely.
(7)The sound was produced by the operation of any air conditioning unit which did not produce a sound of 85 dB(A) or greater on residential property or 85 dB(A) on nonresidential property, when measured at or near 15 feet from the air conditioning unit producing the sound being measured.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Section 82-9 sets citywide decibel ceilings, up to 85 dB(A) daytime and 75 dB(A) at night in residential districts, and lists specific exceptions in subsection (e). " An HVAC unit that trips that threshold is treated like any other sound source and becomes a citable "sound nuisance" under subsection (c). Measurement must use a decibel meter chosen by the chief of police, calibrated to American National Standards Institute specifications, held for a minimum 30-second sampling period with a windscreen fitted, per subsection (f); the violation is set by the highest reading recorded.
A property owner facing a citation can apply to the city manager for a hardship variance under subsection (i) if the unit cannot practically be brought into compliance, and can appeal a denied or suspended variance to city council within ten days under subsection (j). Enforcement runs through the police department, and a business owner, operator, or resident controlling the noisy unit at the time of the offense is the person held responsible under subsection (h).
Violations & Fines
An air conditioner exceeding 85 dB(A) at 15 feet loses its Section 82-9(e)(7) exemption and is prosecuted as a sound nuisance under the same misdemeanor fine schedule as any other violation: not to exceed $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, $350 for a third, and $500 for a fourth or subsequent offense, with each day of continued operation a separate offense. Obstructing a city representative or monitoring equipment during enforcement carries its own fine of up to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close does the city measure an air conditioner's noise?
My neighbor's AC compressor is loud at night. Can I file a complaint?
Can I get relief if my AC unit can't be made quieter right away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Braunfels
Texas rules heatmap·Compare New Braunfels to another location·View the Texas noise from specific sources overview
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