Bossier Parish, LA Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)

Sec. 46-35(c) of the parish's noise ordinance singles out low-frequency noise for its own numeric standard, separate from the general A-weighted decibel table in Table 1. 5 and 63 Hz octave bands exceeding 65 dB(Flat), or exceeding the background sound level in those same bands by more than 5 dB(Flat), whichever is greater. These two octave bands capture deep bass frequencies, the kind that travels through walls and windows from car audio, subwoofers and industrial equipment, that A-weighted decibel measurements tend to underweight. Compliance is measured under the procedures in Sec.

5 and 63 Hz bands, taken at or within the affected property line, generally no closer than 25 feet from a structure's façade. Low-frequency measurements cannot be used to find a violation when wind speed exceeds five miles per hour, a stricter wind cutoff than the 11 mph limit for standard A-weighted readings, reflecting how sensitive low-frequency readings are to wind interference.