Norman, OK Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)

NCC 16-208(b)(2) covers radios, musical instruments, televisions, phonographs, drums, and other sound-reproduction devices, barring their use in a way that violates NCC 16-205's decibel table or causes a noise disturbance. The section then adds a separate bright-line test aimed squarely at booming stereo bass: operating any such device so that it is plainly audible at the property boundary of the source, or at 50 feet from the device when it is operated in or on a vehicle on a public right-of-way or public space, or in a boat on public waters, is itself a violation, no decibel meter reading is required to enforce it.

"Plainly audible" is defined under NCC 16-201 as noise whose information content is unambiguously transferred to the listener, including comprehension of musical rhythms, which covers a recognizable bass beat even when the higher frequencies are inaudible. Separately, NCC 16-205(b) reduces the district decibel limit by 5 dB(A) for any stationary source, including outdoor speakers or subwoofers, that emits a pure tone or cyclically varying sound. The Norman Police Department enforces both standards and can issue a noise permit under NCC 16-210 for an otherwise-violating event.