Rutherford County, TN Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)
Amplified music rules in Rutherford County, TN, also called sound permit, PA system, or live music ordinances, set decibel limits, time-of-day restrictions, and when permits are required.
Key Facts
- Amplified sound curfew
- 10:00 PM
- Districts covered
- Commercial, industrial, residential, institutional
- Residential performance limit
- 2 days per permit
- Extensions
- Require Board of Zoning Appeals approval
- General nuisance ban
- § 1106 B.1
- Permit type
- BZA Special Exception
Summary
Rutherford County's Zoning Ordinance sets a hard curfew on amplified sound at any outdoor performance held under a temporary use permit: Section 1101 M.3 bars amplified music or plays past 10:00 PM in commercial, industrial, residential or institutional districts alike. Outside a permitted event, Section 1106 B.1 separately forbids any objectionable noise reaching adjoining property at all.
a. A temporary use permit may be issued for outdoor plays or musical performances in any commercial or industrial district as a part of an existing business or as a free-standing use provided that adequate parking and traffic circulation is available and any existing business operations will not be disrupted, and provided further, that in the event amplified sound systems are used, such sound shall not be a public nuisance nor be conducted later than 10:00 PM. b. A temporary use permit may be issued for outdoor plays or musical performances in any residential or institutional district provided that any traffic generated by the temporary use shall not use minor residential or neighborhood streets and can be accommodated on major thoroughfares or collector streets, and provided further, that in the event amplified sound systems are used, such sound shall not be a public nuisance nor be conducted later than 10:00 PM. Such permits shall be limited to two (2) days. The Board of Zoning Appeals may consider requests for extensions.
Full Breakdown
b extends the same permit and 10:00 PM cutoff to outdoor performances in residential or institutional districts, but adds that event traffic must stay off minor residential and neighborhood streets and route instead to major thoroughfares or collector streets; residential performances are capped at 2 days per permit, though the Board may grant extensions on request. Both provisions sit inside Section 1101 M, the temporary use permit chapter, so any performance venue needs Board approval as a Special Exception through the Planning and Engineering Office before amplified sound can run at all.
1's general performance standard already bars any land use in any district from creating 'dangerous, injurious, noxious, or otherwise objectionable' noise that adversely affects an adjoining property, which functions as a backstop against amplified sound nuisances between permitted events.
Violations & Fines
Running amplified sound past 10:00 PM at a permitted outdoor performance, or exceeding the 2-day residential-district limit without a Board extension, breaches the conditions of the Section 1101 M temporary use permit and can trigger revocation as well as enforcement under Section 1410. Section 1410 B makes any zoning violation a misdemeanor punishable as provided by Tennessee law, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, and the Director of Building and Codes or an affected neighboring owner may seek an injunction under Section 1410 C to stop the noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How late can amplified music run at an outdoor event in Rutherford County?
Can a residential neighborhood host an outdoor concert?
Is there a noise rule if I'm not using a temporary use permit at all?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rutherford County
Compare Rutherford County to another location·View the Tennessee noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.