Cedar Park, TX Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Cedar Park, TX, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- Special exception from Police Dept
- Approval authority
- City Council
- Nighttime vehicle sound
- Never approved
- Stadium/parade events
- Exempt outright
Summary
Cedar Park holds amplified sound equipment to the same day/night decibel caps as any noise source, but venues wanting to exceed those limits for outdoor music need a special exception permit approved by City Council.
A person seeking a special exception under this section shall complete and file a written application for a special exception with the Police Department on the form provided by the Police Department and pay the applicable fee in accordance with the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code, as amended. An application for special exception shall include:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant. If the applicant is a business, the application shall be filled out by the owner or duly authorized agent of the business and shall list the name, address, and telephone number of the business, the responsible owner of the business, and the operator of the business, if different;
(2) The nature and location of the noise source for which the application is made;
(3) The time during which the noise will be generated and the level of noise that will occur;
(4) A signed statement that the applicant has obtained a copy of this Article and related rules and agrees to comply with this article, the related rules provided, and the terms and conditions of a special exception issued to the applicant;
(5) The reason for which the special exception is requested, including the hardship that will result to the applicant, his/her client, or the public if the special exception is not granted; and
(6)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4973212; v14 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Under Article 8.08, amplified sound equipment such as loudspeakers, PA systems, and musical instruments is subject to the same daytime and nighttime decibel caps as any other noise source unless the operator gets a special exception under section 8.08.004. That requires a written application to the Police Department, the applicable fee, and City Council approval finding the noise won't endanger public health and that compliance would impose an unreasonable hardship without commensurate public benefit. No special exception can be granted for nighttime sound equipment operated from a motor vehicle, and an applicant convicted of more than two noise violations at the site in the prior six months is barred. Scheduled stadium and Cedar Park Center events and permitted parades are separately exempted outright under section 8.08.005.
Violations & Fines
Amplified sound exceeding the decibel table without an approved special exception is a class C misdemeanor, fined daily under section 1.01.009; interfering with enforcement is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a permit for a loud outdoor concert in Cedar Park?
Are Cedar Park Center concerts exempt from the noise limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Park
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Cedar Park to another location·View the Texas noise ordinances overview
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Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Williamson County handle amplified music & outdoor sound.