Amplified music rules in Orleans Parish, LA — also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances — set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Bars and music venues in the Vieux Carre and CBD must keep loudspeakers inside the building and away from doors and windows; amplified sound in public parks or rights-of-way may not exceed 80 decibels averaged at 50 feet.
City Code Sec. 66-209 governs loudspeaker placement for commercial enterprises in the Vieux Carre (French Quarter) Historic Districts and Central Business Districts: speakers must stay inside interior walls and not face any exterior door, window or opening. Class A liquor venues must keep speakers at least ten feet from exterior openings or keep those openings closed. Separately, Sec. 66-203(3)a caps sound in public rights-of-way, parks and recreation areas at an average of 80 decibels measured 50 feet from the source. Music-district (SHD/VCE) noise is measured against Table 1 or ambient-plus-10 dB standards.
Sec. 66-209 loudspeaker violations: up to $500 first offense, then $500 each subsequent violation within 12 months. Other amplified-music violations carry the Sec. 66-140 misdemeanor penalty.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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