Rapides Parish, LA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Rapides Parish, LA, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Cited section
- Rapides Parish Code § 19-52(2)
- Restricted hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Maximum fine
- $100
- Maximum jail term
- 30 days
- Enforcing agency
- Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office
- Adopted
- Ordinance of July 10, 1990
Summary
Rapides Parish Code § 19-52(2) bans playing a radio, television, phonograph or musical instrument at a volume that annoys or disturbs neighbors, particularly between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The rule sits inside the parish's broader unnecessary-noise ordinance enforced by the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office. A violation is a misdemeanor under § 19-52.1, punishable by up to 30 days in the parish jail or a $100 fine, or both.
(2)Radio, television, phonograph or any musical instrument. The playing of any radio, television, phonograph or any musical instrument in such a manner or with such volume, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, hospital, or in any dwelling, hotel or other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity. ... It is hereby declared to be a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of sections 19-51 and 19-52 and any person, firm or corporation found guilty of the violation thereof shall be punishable by imprisonment of not exceeding thirty (30) days or a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00), or both at the discretion of the court.
Full Breakdown
Article II of Chapter 19 declares any noise that disturbs the peace a public nuisance under § 19-51, adopted by the Police Jury on July 10, 1990. Section 19-52 builds on that declaration with a nonexclusive list of acts that count as loud, unnecessary or unusual noise. , as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons nearby, whether in an office, hospital, dwelling, hotel or elsewhere in the vicinity. The same section also lists honking horns, yelling on public streets, noisy animals and vehicles in poor repair as examples of the same prohibited disturbance, so a loud stereo is treated the same as any other unreasonable racket rather than singled out with its own decibel meter.
Because the Rapides Parish Police Jury has no police department of its own, deputies from the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office respond to complaints and issue citations under this chapter. Businesses and public places operating amplifying equipment fall under the separate rule at § 19-53 rather than this section, which is aimed at ordinary residential and personal use of audio equipment. , is the clearest trigger point named in the ordinance, though the text also allows a citation at other hours if the noise is loud and unreasonable enough to annoy neighbors.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 19-52 is a misdemeanor under § 19-52.1: a fine of up to $100, imprisonment in the parish jail for up to 30 days, or both, at the sentencing court's discretion. The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, which handles law enforcement for the unincorporated parish, issues citations after a documented noise complaint; there is no separate administrative fine track for a first offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific decibel limit for music in unincorporated Rapides Parish?
What happens on a first noise complaint?
Does this rule cover music played at a bar or business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rapides Parish
Compare Rapides Parish to another location·View the Louisiana noise ordinances overview
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