Spring Hill, TN Noise from Specific Sources: Low-Frequency Bass Limits (2026)

Bass is regulated in Spring Hill through the octave-band decibel provision in § 11-402(C)(2). It is unlawful to project a sound or noise from one property into another, within the boundary of a use district, that exceeds either the limiting noise spectra in Table I or the ambient noise level by more than three decibels. The lowest band in Table I is Below 75 cycles per second, where the printed limits are 65 for the Residential column, 79 for Commercial and 80 for Industrial. The next band, 75 to 150, prints 60, 74 and 75. Residential includes areas zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 and any subsequent residential or office zone created by ordinance.

When noise crosses into a district with a different limit, it cannot exceed the limit of the district into which it is projected. Subsection (C)(2)(e) adds a nighttime reduction: if the noise occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Monday through Saturday, or at any time on Sunday or holidays, seven is subtracted from each level in Table I.

Measurement follows set rules. A sound level meter and octave band analyzer can be used, the slow meter response is used, and the reading is taken at the property line of the property where the noise is generated or perceived, five feet above ground. For an elevated or directional source, compliance is maintained at any elevation at the boundary. If the noise is not smooth and continuous, Table II corrections apply, such as plus 5 for a source operated less than 20% of any 1-hour period.

The table excludes noise emanating from cars, trucks or motorcycles, which falls under the subsection (A) vehicle provisions. Under the same section, sound devices are separately tested by the 50-foot audibility presumption in § 11-402(A)(2).